Is compulsive gambling an illness

What a great post. I honestly believe people often come here to sulk when they lose and call it an illness as it continually excuses their greed and stupidity.

You are so right that nobody comes here when they are winning and don't try to claim it to be an illness when things are going their way.

Nobody and I mean nobody is forced to gamble they simply choose to. If you can choose to gamble then you can choose not to gamble.

Really is a great point you have made knobby.

i recently watched a documentary which was evaluating the brains of people who where addicted to P**n versus those who just enjoyed it in moderation the difference in brain activity for those claiming to be addicted to this particular vice was in fact quite significant and showed how different centres of the brain where "over stimulated" resulting in the need to continue on that path it stated that this was also true for people who are CG, drug addicts etc...

So scientifically yes being a CG is a mental health issue and can be considered an illness of the mind.

I totally get the points raised about asking for help when your not winning but if you where a drug addict would you ask for help while your high? i highly doubt it. it takes the lows for people to realise that gambling is a problem, and by no means am i saying that responsibility shouldnt be taken by the person whos done it, but its very easy to judge fromt he outside looking in, in many cases.

You can argue if it an "illness" or not but having a win doesn't mean you aren't still trapped in an unhealthy cycle that leads people to here. If it was so easy to stop, this forum wouldn't exist. Problem gambling is rarely about gambing per se but the complex emotions that lead people to do it. I don't think calling problem gamblers "stupid" is particularly helpful either.

This thread pretty much sums up people not taking responsibility for their actions.

Lack of control, lack of willpower and always someone else's fault.

All smiles when picking up the winnings but not taking responsibility when it does not go to plan!

At some stage people have to look in the mirror and say I am going to choose not to gamble rather than taking the easy option of giving in.

I don't want anyone to be unhappy through gambling but equally am fed up with all the excuses!

dave i understand your anger i have been on both sides my mum was a CG for many years and i myself am battling with being a CG but i think its unfair to say that CG will always blame someone else.

I have never blamed anybody for my mistakes except for myself and take full responsibility for my actions and the hurt i have caused to people close to me. but i think its important you realise this site is here for people who want to and CHOOSE to make gambling part of their past and in such deserve support from others in doing so.

I get your P***** off but you shouldn't tar everybody with the same brush, im assuming you are speaking from personal experience here but their your experiences not everybodys and im sorry that you have clearly been hurt but as i said previously there are reasons for everybodys actions and being judged by anyone when you are trying to better yourself isnt on.

I wish you well Jess and also hope those struggling make the right decisions.

I never got into troubled gambling as saw it for what if was but it did take willpower and a realisation that you just can't win.

At the end of the day people will only stop when they have run out of funds or woken up to the fact it's a mugs game despite what they are told. There are some excellent posters here with great advice - just a shame people don't listen.

I genuinely wish you well with whatever you decide.

Dave if you never got into troubled gambling why are you posting on this site. Personally I started looking at this site because of problems with gambling. Interesting terminology , or are you having a go at yourself?

Strange - I meant I never lost more than I could afford but didn't like losing at all.

It does make me smile that as soon as anyone doesn't keep saying 'never mind never mind well done for trying' there is a backlash.

I am genuinely trying to help people with a few home truths and it has worked for some. At the end of the day if the help isn't required I really do not mind. If people come here looking for sympathy they will get it in bucket loads so I do not bother adding to it.

Just in the same way people can choose to gamble or not gamble they can also choose to take advice or not.

Regards

Dave

Dave I actually agree with most of what you say. I know that I have been stupid! I don't want to carry on being stupid but I always have. Does this mean I am stupid?

At the moment I am gamble free but the thought is there every day, even with the limited funds I allow myself there is something that nags away saying go on have a try.

Don't think it's about greed either otherwise I would have stopped years ago, or is that because I.m stupid!

Love your posts thought provoking x

Thanks Strange. You are far from stupid and it's great you are gamble free.

I don't think the urge ever goes away but the more you put up barriers to deal with the urges the longer you will be gamble free.

My motto is 'I will not gamble today' and the rest takes care of itself.

You have broken the cycle - well done !

Nice to know the answer to the question is YES

but that there is hope and change for us all

keep going soldiers

triangle

ty dave i appreciate you comments from a non CG point of view and if was to be perfectly honest i agree with everything you have posted. that is why i asked the question, why cant i gamble resposibly? because i cant, and thats why i have to stop gambling period.

DaveUK - apologies if I'm wrong, but having read your previous threads it sounds like you've fallen off the horse and have bet on the FOBTS again, and are now striking out at anyone to make yourself feel better?

Hi Molehole - I'm pleased to say you could not be further from the truth. I honestly have been nowhere near them and barely give them a thought.

In the early days it took self-exclusion but as time has gone on they have drifted well well into the past. The thing that miffed me most was what I lost from both a time and financial point of view as losing really niggles me. I can't get the time or money back but to make me feel better when I self excluded I started popping 20 a week away. I am pretty sure I lost 4-5K in 10 years and have saved 3400 of this back. As I mentioned before it didn't cause any major problems but was still a complete waste of time and energy. As I say I hated the feeling a loss gave me.

It is because of this I know what it takes to give it up as a bad job and although I appreciated the sympathy and kind words things only changed when I looked in the mirror and said to myself 'if you don't like losing you are the one who has to take action, you are the one who can make things right and you are the one who needs to stop feeling sorry for yourself and make better choices'.

I suppose I stay on the site as it makes me feel good knowing I won in the end and if I can help a few along the way that's even better. Don't get me wrong if I put a single 1 in a roulette machine it would inevitably end up with a loss at some stage. Gambling is exciting, winning is lovely but for me the lows far far outweigh the highs.

My approach to giving advice is not everyone's cup of tea but I know for some it works. Those who perhaps prefer a different approach will find plenty of other sources of excellent advice from members on here - in my experience the best advice comes from those who employed a strategy to call it a day.

Cheers

Dave