hey,
So I have been gamble free for 1 month and it's going well. I'm so happy.
For those of you from the UK and watch X factor, I was really tempted to vote for Matt to win. I kept thinking if I just put £200, I will win £700 back and it's a sure bet he will win.
However I reminded myself how I would not do it again and I didn't. Sounds good right?
Well I watched the show and he did win and now all I can think about is the fact I lost out.
I'm happy I didn't gamble but then gutted I could have won £500
Why and how can I stop??
What would have happened to the £500? Realistically? Would you have taken it and spent it on a nice treat for you and yours? Paid off some debt? Or would you have bet with it until it was all gone and then continued to chase your losses?
Financially, you're up. But not much about the addict thinking has changed, maybe something to address if you don't want to give in next time?
CW
You are right. I think I would have just transferred to my bank but there's never happened in the past. Why would it happen now? Also, I could have actually lost in the first place. How can I address this?
Hi Saddi123.
I promise you being gamble free is a wonderful feeling and I think you are starting to realise that.
My view is that you are over thinking these gambling events and its classed as urges that you will naturally have as your mind is healing.
Focus on the fact that the x factor and other shows want the money through premium phone lines and the bookies want a bigger house. They are not offerring you easy odds and its risk all the way. They have teams of people calculating the odds.
Beware your gambling mind as nobody is really offering life changing odds on the only four legged horse in the race. It doesnt work that way and anything could happen.
You know what gambling has done to you because most gamblers lose and compulsive gamblers get gripped by the addiction
You cant think if only I had gambled. Play for chocolate matchmakers or washing the dishes but please forget about it as a money making scheme. Have the fun feelings of who may win x factor but keep your money in your pocket...then you can afford a musical night out.
I thought about this and its not about denying you fun feelings but dont gamble your hard earned money
It isnt a reliable money making scheme or nobody would go to work....you have to focus in that way and the money in your pocket buys some nice christmas treats. The gambling industry will clean you out and not care if you are homeless so focus strongly on that. Gambling destroys people so you need to think about it in the strongest terms to build a fear for it. Eventually you will calmly let these thoughts go and dismiss gambling as not worthy of your time
The urges do die away so get yourself a christmas hobby and keep smiling
Best wishes from everyone on the forum
Hi Saddi, Firstly congratulations on your first month gamble free. That's awesome and I hope you feel good and that it has made a difference to your lif in terms of having more time on your hands or having a few more quid in your pocket. I am approaching my 1st month this week gamble free and even though I do have more time and a few more quid in my pocket that's all going on the debt I built up.
Correct you would of won £500 and well done for picking the winner at the beginning. However for people like us it doesn't work out well. I have friends who place bets and win which is just abit of fun for them and for me it's always about more and more. As soon as that would of come in I would of been looking for the instant opportunity to make more. £500 is so much money but I lost complete understanding of the worth of money and I would easily chuck that in a machine on a weekly basis. Don't get me wrong I did win 7 out of 10 times. But when I lost, I lost big and that was the eye opener that it always get to that point. Even if I calmed it down after a bad loss. I would always get there again .I use to play the Irish lotto twice a week and my numbers haven't come in for about 18 months and just know they will come in which I will feel like I could of won. But we can't look at things like that. Quitting gambling personally is the biggest challenge in my life and I know that it will be the best decision of my life. Stay strong and stay positive. Your doing the right thing. Good luck.
How did you stumble across the odds of him winning Saddi? 5/2 I presume, but It's not the sort of stuff they usually print in the paper, I presume you sought out the figures yourself?
If so, theres the issue. Don't find out the odds and there's no temptation.
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