Please Never! let this happen to you!..Good-Bye!

[justdoit+]

Ensure that your decision to take on the games is your personal choice and establish fixed limits for your purchases, wagers and losses before you begin a game.

Never gamble if:
You are younger than the legal gaming age.

It interferes with your daily responsibilities.

You are in recovery for any dependency.

You are under the influence of alcohol, or any other substance.

You are attempting to make up prior losses.

Your primary aim is to recoup debt with your winnings.

If you find it impossible to walk away from the casino games even when you want to, you have a compulsive gambling problem.

Gamblers' Anonymous is a professional organization that can help you.

Gamblers' Anonymous: www.gamblersanonymous.com

Have fun but be smart!

 

[Railbird]

God will deliver you. 1 step program instead of 12.

 

[SportSavant]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Last, hey guys I know about tough love and all that but I would be willing to pitch in and send this guy a percentage of his loss to try and save his family and give him another shot. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

stacilu, commendable & I also am willing to help in any way that I can...

HOWEVER...

I think chief already answered this question when he said:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Had I won? Oh, a few hundred dollars. The very sad part is, I would have just taken that money and continued to wager until I most likely would have squandered it all away. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

[Woody0]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by oldmanTED:
His self described behavior is clearly one of an obsessive, compulsive gambler, one of which I am sorry to say is quite common. The obsessive natural of the behavior is one of the 10 Warning Signs of Mental Illness and needs counseling and treatment.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

OMT you are completely correct and this knowledge is obviously something OF is unaware of. I suspect that the majority of posters here have this predisposition to some degree. I know you have posted about your personal experience with this and I certainly recognize features in myself, primarily the need for action. Fortunately in my case my risk aversion is so incredibly high that I would wager matchsticks for action if that was all I could afford.

SS is also correct in that the reward involves certain neural pathways that are stimulated by serotonin. Studies reveal that in areas where there is free access to gaming that about 5% of the population may become seriously addicted. Probably a much larger number are like the posters here who are biologically sensitive to the neural reward mechanism but who have governing pathways that are able to prevent complete addiction. GA is definitely the way to go to deal with addiction but you have to phone yourself.

Of course some people are primarily interested in watching sports and the bet makes it more entertaining. While I do enjoy watching football I find that I have made more money during baseball season, although I rarely watch a game. If that doesn't indicate a need for action I don't know what does. Besides watching the game interferes with my poker play.

 

[BaseballGuy]

First of all, there have been some great responses thus far.

Second, know that what frog said was absolutely correct, although he could have been a tad less harsh. If you guys think frog was being harsh, you have obviously never been to a G.A room before. People dish out so much tough love in group meetings, that there have been some fights before.

From some of the responses here, I know that a couple of you posters have been through G.A themselves.

Again, I wish you the best of success Chief.

 

[Wizzah20]

Chief,

Thanks for sharing this information with us.

What some of the people who have replied don't understand..is that you are sharing information..Not ONE TIME in your post did I even see you ask for help...Some people think they have all the answers..All I can offer is advice..

If you are serious about trying to quit..I can point you in the right direction...Please contact Rick Benson at the Algamus center....Rick has been in the business for MANY MANY years and is one of the MOST TRUSTED people in helping cure gambling addiction for GOOD...

His staff are all ex compulsive gamblers who have had problems many years agoo..and who have since defeated their affliction and have had PROFESSIONAL training in helping others do the same...Rick owns and operates two facilities..One in Anna Marie Island, FL (near Tampa) and one in Rock Hill South Carolina...The facility in South Carolina is a live in facility..It's setup like a huge Victorian mansion and you have one on one help, as well as daily group sessions...

There has been nothing but POSITIVE, PROVEN track record with this facility...If you are serious about qutting..I plead for you to contact Rick...They will also work out any type of installments for payment...Its not "cheap" but it will help/cure you...

I wish you the best on whatever happens..But please tell yourself that people are trying to help...and don't just disregard information as you are "better" than it...

http://www.algamus.com/english.htm

Regards

 

[OMNIVOROUS FROG]

Sorry Woody, your obviously is way off the mark. I know he has a form of mental illness. I know he needs help. The only obvious thing I see is his illness has resulted in destroying the lives of two innocent people who depended on him. Addictive personalities are everywhere. They fall into an addiction. That was preordained. I am wrong because my opinion is not popular. In fact, I almost stand alone. Nothing new there. I am not a follower. I do not agree with everyone else because I should, or to gain respect. I invited attacks on myself because my opinion is harsh, and cold. Yes it is. So is business, and many aspects of life. I am far from perfect, and can never achieve perfection. I am flawed, with a miserable upbringing and a lot of guilt will remain with me until the day I die, from the negative impact I have had in people's lives. I only hope to make up for it for whatever time I have left. This thread is excellent as it is very devisive. Last time I checked, FROGs were cold blooded. So what did you expect? I know what I am, and make no excuses for it. But am I judgemental, yes. In my world I judge a man on how he cares for his family and loved ones. This is how Chief is a loser, by his own admission. I get zero points for having the socially or politically correct posts, but I stated my opinions, like them or not. I may not like your opinions, but is there really a right and wrong here? This thread really hits home with a lot people. And provokes a lot of thought. Again, for the umpteenth time, I feel for his loved ones, and would do anything to help out a kid in need...Best Wishes...OF

 

[SportSavant]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>The only obvious thing I see is his illness has resulted in destroying the lives of two innocent people who depended on him. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

froggy, he is also depending on the people who love him, his wife should show him support during these troubled times if she loves it... & the least we can do is show some support aswell as we are likely his only 'gambling' related friends...

I know all about tough love so you dont need to feed me any of that... One of my closest friends was a compulsive gambler for over a decade... I continued to support & stand by him while most people had a similar attitude to what you have.. Needless to say he is now clean & it is more thanks to the support that I have him than those who 'abandoned' him in his time of need.

 

[OMNIVOROUS FROG]

Actually I am taking it easy on him. Wait until he starts going to GA meetings. There will be people in his face, not on the internet, saying things ten times worse. Maybe by supporting and standing by your friend you actually prolonged his illness? In a sense addictions are dealt with the same as Marine corp boot camp. You completely dehumanize the maggot. Break him down completely. Bottom them out. Then you rebuild. By no means I am saying his loved ones should turn their back on him. But there is a razor fine line between support and continuing to enable his self destructive behavior. I wish I had the right answers, but I do not. But what I do know, he will just continue, he even said so himself. He knows he has a problem, the next step is to deal with it, and that is the no love harsh part. Until he is broken down, he cannot be rebuilt. And he will, as you have witnessed first hand, continue this self destructive behavior. If he was my friend, I would treat him ten times worse. Because I would care enough to get him right...Best Wishes...OF

 

[mizike]

a gambler looking for support to kick the habbit amonst active gamblers, like going to a crack den an anouncing you quit and can anyone offer support.
Important rule in breaking habits is not to associate with people whom you used to so while i feel for you i cant help wonder about your sincerity. good luck to you during this hard time.
JMO

 

[SportSavant]

good answer thanks...

 

[KeithRichard]

Holy Crap! I saw this thread when it started this morning before leaving for work. This must have hit a few nerves here to have this many replies.

 

[hondaman1]

after your advice he may not even get visitation rights to the family dog<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chuck Sims:
I bet you had Oak and SD. I don't you usually do this but I feel sorry for you kid. I am going to give you a guaranteed winner. Take the Padres on Saturday. It will get your wife and daughter back. You can thank me after the game.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

[brewster]

Chief

First off I would like to commend you for admitting you have a problem/addiction. That is the first step to overcoming it. Your problem is that gambling is more important to you than your family. You knew what the consequences would be if you gambled again and you went ahead and did it anyways. Until your family becomes more important to you, nothing will change. YOU have to make the choice.

Just remember, if you make the wrong decision you will probably die a broke, bitter, lonely and unloved individual.

I sincerely hope things work out for you.

Brewster

 

[dimeplayersonly]

people that are addicted to gambling can suffer the same effects that drug addictions can cause...loss of job, family, friends, depression, anxiety, trouble with the law..ect..

gambling addiction is about the "rush" you get sweating the game, winning money actually has very little to do with it.....the "rush" is what the addicted gambler seeks....

and like any other addict......the person who suffers has to be the one to make the decision to get better.....no one else can make that decision........

1. continue gambling.......and your life will be miserable
2. stop gambling......and get your life in order...

those are the facts........gl

 

[wilheim]

Profile of a gambling addict.

LINK


wil.

 

[dimeplayersonly]

on a side note.......if you might be wondering......bookmakers have no desire to cater to problem gamblers......yes they lose.....but the trouble that follows is usually not worth it..

 

[REDEYE]

Chief, Feel for you man, Addiction is a tough thing to go thru and I don't envy you at all.On the point of giving the guy $151 to get his situation right, I did this for someone once before and it backfired on me to where we aren't friends anymore and I'm out of the considerable amount of money that I bailed him out with. He has to hit bottom without a bailout in my opinion.To that earlier post from someone, "that we might win a bet but lose time in the long run", I don't necessarily agree with that either because it takes time to make money no matter what you do. If I'm making money betting games to take my Daughter on a shopping trip to Chicago,taking my son to Indy 500, hiking with them thru Utahs Nat. Parks, buying him his first car next month, then this is well worth it in my opinion. I don't have a addiction just discipline. see you at RX bash

 

[SHACK]

Chief. Take a break and get your crap together. You know you have a problem, so go seek help or do it on your own. If you know and confess your problems sometimes you can defeat the sickness on your own, if not, seek GA. I think the best release of it is to come clean.
Also, go to the gym and workout or go jogging, or something physical. There is no explanation for how much stress subsides after a good workout. Best of luck. Now do what you know you have to do.

 

[tkf18ny]

Frog is being extremely harsh but he is 100% right

Its good the guy admitted his problem but giving him money is a waste

No offense sports savant but while Im sure you meant well perhaps your friend would have recovered sooner if you didnt enable him