I wouldn't say what I am addicted to, cause it makes me feel ashamed. But I have a friend who has a gambling problem. . . . I feel horrible right now. I need something to cheer me up. I thought if I typed these feelings down, I might feel better. Sort of like self therapy. Anyone has any advice for my friend?
not being in control of my own actions is one of the things i fear the most. so if i ever recognize an enabler to an addiction, i always remove that enabler from my life. good luck with your problem, try finding the root first.
Ya know what... I wish I could edit my post. You said you feel like crap and you were wanting to hear something helpful. And what I just said wasn't helpful. For that, I'm sorry. Tell 'your friend' that there are many others who are gambling addicted. Check out The National Council on Problem Gambling or Gamblers Anonymous.
How much are you losing? And why do you think you can't stop? People who win don't have gambling problems only the ones who lose. DD
I admit I have a gambling problem too being betting on sports in San Diego/San Fran superbowl in 1995? but I went 16-3 this weeekend picked up $7,200 so I'll try to enjoy this week.
i gave a presentation about this a few weeks ago. PM me if you'd like to see it. It's very beneficial.
<object width="425" height="366"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QemOvNPaVyo&rel=1&border=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QemOvNPaVyo&rel=1&border=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="366"></embed></object> Al DeMarco - GM Al asks - is gambling bad for you?
You can try to get them into Gambler's Anonymous. This can be very serious. I've read up on it, and people get themselves into hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt and don't stop.
Well, it sounds like your friend is able to recognize that there is a problem. That's a good first step and without it, you really can't get them to do anything. I think I read where problem gamblers become obsessed with it for one of two reasons: they like the high of the action and risk or they use the high of action and risk to blot out some troubling part of their lives. Once your friend recognizes there is a problem, help them figure out which of these two categories fits best. Based on that, you either go to work on the real problem that gambling's covering up or you look for ways to take the edge off the gambling high and replace it with other, more positive, stuff. Working through counseling is probably the best way to get to that point. Regardless of how your friend chooses to deal with it, they absolutely must confront the issue and put the breaks on their gambling... There does seem to be a link between increased suicide rates and problem gambling... Watch your friend closely and keep them from falling into the kind of despair that would lead one to contemplate suicide. I think it's also the case that young people are more susceptible to problem gambling... so, if your friend is a youngster, help them make it through this stage of their life with the hope that it will get better. See if you can convince your friend to cut out the things that are associated with the high that gambling brings. It could be anything from cigs and drugs and alcohol to places and clothes and people. The less your friend is exposed to the things they associate with gambling, the less drawn to it they will be. One thing a friend of mine did after realizing he had a problem was to take the money he would have lost on a week's worth of gambling and use it to buy good boots and a backpack. He took a week off of work and went hiking... he got away from all the influences and tried to turn his energies to something else. He enjoyed the hike and the feeling of being lost or without communications, or being miles away from help replaced some of that gambling thrill. It got his mind clear and when he came back he got some counseling to help him over the hump. He's now an avid hiker and lives to plan long hikes... that's now his fixation. He's much happier and in much better shape... emotionally, physically and financially. Get your friend whatever help they'll take that gives them the opportunity to break the cycle. It is possible.
Guys dont joke about this. Gambling addictions are serious and real. I've seen enough people to know that witty phrases don't mean jack nor do things like "just stop gambling." The guy asked for some help so offer some legitimate advice or stop.
Thanks, I was not offended by your original post at all. I don't gamble with too much money, but the loses kind of add up over time. But what hurts the most is when I think about what I could've done with the money that I lost, whether its a lot or a few. *I mean 'my friend' when I say 'I'.
I understand, try getting out and doing something other than playing internet poker (which is what I assume you are doing). or Get a headset and get to using Skype like everyone else. DD
Try to do this, whenever you feel like gambling, put the money in a box. Try to keep this up for a month, at the end of the month, count how much you have in the box, it would make you feel good.
Regarding the link between gambling addiction and suicide: It is sad, but I also feel that it is definitely true. Even though I would never do such a thoughtless thing as commiting suicide, I can associate with someone's suicidal tendencies because of similar problems. Regarding going through a special phase in life: I sure hope that this is only a phase of my life that I am going through. I have been told, since I was young that life is full of mistakes and misfortunes. So I wish that this is only one of those obsticles that eveyone must overcome. In other words, just a test for me to pass. Thank you all for your help (and concern for the most part). I usually have my down time only a few days after a big loss, and would recover slowly after that. But this time I just felt like I had enough...
