So I've been reading this book about gambling addictions and how to overcome one.
I'm not going into this new chapter in my life afraid or nervous. What's the worst that could happen, right? I mean, if you've reached the stage in your life where you NEED to do something about your gambling then surely the only way is up. It’s all positives from here on in. No more losses, no more chasing the pot at the end of the rainbow, no more lies. What a way to start the rest of your life!
In order to do start this new chapter, as I'm sure you'll all agree, you need to start with The Confrontation. The facing if the truth. Not the 'truth' that I've been telling myself for oh so long now. The REAL truth. I'm a gambling addict and I LOST. That's a pretty big statement, right? You spend hundreds of, thousands even, chasing a 'win' when, in fact, you need to face the fact that you lost. Not losing, that’s different. I'm talking in the past tense here. Lost.
Time to face the facts. I'm 28. In a desirable, secure job, and in debt. Not a big deal in the grand scheme of things but when you lie to yourself (what an odd concept that is!) for so long you need to grow up and face the facts. I've borrowed money from family and never paid it back. I've skipped bills to gamble and got myself into needless debt. All for what? A wee bit of brain chemistry and the lining of the pockets of companies who don't give a toss about you. That's absolute lunacy when you look at it in the cold hard light of day. Punting £1000's into a machine, a coupon, a spin of the wheel when you're NEVER going to win. Madness.
The good news is that things could be a lot worse. My life can be easily recovered by not gambling. I'm not kidding myself into thinking this will be easy. It won’t. Remember, it’s about the truth here. The rewards are worth it though. I've spent countless hours gambling and lost. Its time to start winning again. By not giving the gambling industry another penny then I win. Simple. You can look at it like I win my wage, which is a weird thing. Its mines, not theirs. My money is mine and so is my time.
I promise myself, more than anything, that this is the start of a new period. A period where I can finally live the life I want and not what little life my addiction decides to leave me.
I doubt this post is of any help to anyone, but it certainly has helped me.
Now onto the next chapter of my gambling book and the next chapter of my life.
Thanks for getting this far.
x
Great post brawbuddha, such an easy concept when you look at it like that. I want to start winning my wages again and the only way to do that is to stay free of gambling, no more loosing. All the best.
Well said. " I'm a gambling addict and I LOST. ...you need to face the fact that you lost..."
For me, I can add "and if I played again, I would lose again". Another oh-so-hard-to-discover truth. Because "Maybe I'll figure out the perfect technique next time" is such an attractive lie.
I really like I want to start winning my wages again and going remember it. When I think of all the things I could have had/done. Madness.
An excellent post. I'm going to bookmark this page for reference.
Playing a game you're never EVER going to win is indeed madness
The fact that we would all just be a lot better off moneywise without gambling says it all.
The fact that we are in a twilight zone when we gamble is more concerning.
After doing a full financial review of myself I've managed to get myself into needless debt. I never borrowed to gamble directly, just used my own money to gamble and borrowed to live. Borrowed to live! What a concept that is, considering I don't *need to*. I dont need to gamble. I don't need to borrow. I sure as hell NEED to wake up, however!
The road to being free of gambling and being repairing the destruction it has left behind is going to be a painful one. I know it will. I'll get there though. There's no question of that. Everyone on this forum can also get there! Its al about getting that harajuka moment and staying in the groove. Once you're on that path theres no stoppong you, trust me!
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
