By Donate Fagiano
It is difficult to admit that we have faults. It is, at times, the last avenue for us-admittance that we have problems and that we need help. If you believe you have a gambling addiction then your reading of these words is the all important first step. If you don’t think that you have a gambling problem, read on and, then at the end of this article, see if you feel the same way. Think carefully! Do you or someone you love need to overcome the real problem of gambling addiction.
Three Clues
Clue # 1 You think gambling is going to make you rich.
Big mistake! If you have this mentality then you will be spending a long time in the dregs of addiction. Here is a little fact: most professional gamblers are not rich. Sure there are some who are, but the majority just gets by (look this up if you are skeptical). Sure they live off their winnings and don’t have to work a 9-5 job, but they are professionals, they have dedicated their lives to the art of entertainment gambling. And besides, professional gamblers are moderate in that they do not gamble compulsively.
Clue # 2 You think that your gambling will help pay your bills.
Have you ever had a friend who thought that they were going to gamble his/her way back to solvency? I have and it was not a pretty sight. My friend came to me after a weekend in Atlantic City and asked me for a small loan (some friend). If you think that gambling is going to pay your bills then you have a gambling problem. If you think gambling may be able to make you an extra hundred or so bucks then you are realistic in your assessment of what you might make as an entertainment gambler.
Clue # 3 Your loved ones (family, friends, colleagues) are affected by your gambling.
Part of life is giving up what you know you can no longer possess for the benefit of something else you can’t afford to lose. When your family, friends, and/or colleagues are negatively affected by your gambling sprees, it is time to realize that you have a gambling problem and need help to control your addiction. If you have kept your gambling a secret and your loved ones are unaware of your problem then ask yourself this question: Are they being affected by my penchant for gambling. Remember, your loved ones don’t need to be consciously aware of your problem in order to be affected negatively by it.
Life is too wonderful to be enslaved to any addiction. But don’t worry, you are not alone. The first step is to call this free and private hotline 1-800-522-5700, or find a G.A. near you on the web.
Donate Fagiano is probability theorist who specilizes in statistical analysis and gaming theory. He is the creator of the entertainment gambling website http://www.merlinsmind.com
Donate spends his time writing and researching when he is not spending quality time with his family. He lives in the South of France.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I had never really gambled before I got sober and then one day I went to a casino and put 5 bucks down on a roulette table on a 18 to 1 bet. It lost and I did it again and on the second time it landed and paid me 90 dollars in cash. It happened so fast and all of a sudden I GOT HIGH. Chemicals rushed into my brain and my mind was saying oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Payday! Payday!
Now that was quite a red flag and I ended up cashing out my chips and walking away from gambling for the rest of that vacation. My point is that I can see very easily how I could become addicted to gambling. In the same way, I would caution other recovering alcoholics and addicts to be leery of this as a potential stumbling block for them in their recovery…….
Patrick,
It’s kind of interesting that almost everyone with a gambling addiction remebers that ‘first big score’. Then they start chasing the dragon trying to recreate the thrill…but it is never enough or the same.
Bill
Great post! I think many people have acquired gambling problems, and in many areas where casinos begin to open one after another, it makes things even more difficult for the locals in that area.
To be honest, this is a problem that is not treated as often as it should.
Thank you for this article, I hate to admit it, but I fall within #1. So I think I am going to get some help now, I am tired of this!
When I read this article I somewhat relate to it, My brother are really addicted with gamblings, and some take marijuana. We dont know how to help him. Maybe by giving love and more concern to him will help.
I was looking for ways to earn money and thought I stumbled upon a secret goldmine tactic that I can exploit. Turns out every gambler and casino knows about this, which is doubling your bet everytime so you will at least earn something after each time you lose.
Turns out the casino always has the edge.
great post. I used to be like #1 when I was young thinking I can get rich by betting on sports games but I guess I now know better not to gamble.
Great post! I think many people have acquired gambling problems.But by giving love and more concern to them will make them to stop gambling.
Great discussion. I think many is on this side, I suggest that we should play moderately and never be too addicted. I am a huge player but I know my limitations. There is nothing wrong with playing casino games just as long as you know how to control yourself.
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