Day 2
Yesterday I registered on this forum. I shared some background on myself as a gambler and commented on a few others post to become active within the community. Well that led me to want to put myself on poker stars self exclusion list so I can deposit no longer ( yes I play live and online terrible I know) So I signed on and thought it was no money in my account and I would just put myself on the self exclusion list but it was money available $25.76 left from a $250.00 deposit I made a day or two prior. The first thing I did was look to see what tourneys were available and long behold a $5.00 $500gtd was running. I registered sat down with 10000 in chips and felt DISGUSTED. I said to myself what's the point even if I win this tourney I'll be trapped and that's not the goal we want to be bet free and debt free so I dumped it very next hand on purpose and I was out but what came next was something I never did before. I was back in the poker stars lobby and the balance was $20.76. I said **** this I'm withdrawing this lousy 20 bucks and went and got my account number and routing number and punched it in and WITHDREW the funds then went straight to the self exclusion press the button. Felt AWESOME! but what is so big about this to me is I've been playing online for 2yrs and I was always to lazy to just get the damn account information out of my folder so I could do a withdrawal the only time I ever withdraw was when I'm over 1k and would drive all the way to Atlantic City so I could withdraw from the cage and just go play live. Gambling on sports should be banned. Later in the evening I had a urge to gamble in my brain well maybe not a urge but gambling thoughts were coming in and out but what was weird I felt in my heart I didn't want to gamble and I didn't even like gambling because it has destroyed me. I didn't gamble I just walked around the corner to my friends house all my compadres were outside I grabbed a brew and we just started having a good time talking, joking, laughing and I even shared with them I am really trying to tackle this problem seriously this time. My friends have heard it all before but they were very supportive and that made me feel happy as well. Long story short I went home eat a pot pie, did NOT gamble, went to sleep, woke up with Money and hey I even have $20.76 extra on the way lol.

How To Stop Urges

Oct 22, 2010 Make a list about how your gambling problem has affected your life in a negative way. Write as much as you can. Make the list on the left side of a sheet of paper so you have room on the right side. On the right side, write about how your life will change for the better when you stop gambling. https://basicstree.amebaownd.com/posts/17309176. Sep 28, 2010 The first step to controlling a gambling problem is first recognizing and acknowledging that you have a problem. Gain control of your gambling problem with help from a. Urge surfing is a great way to cope with recurring patterns of gambling addiction and it's not done with a surfboard but with your mind. Instead of giving into gambling urges or suppressing those feelings, try mindfulness. By staying present and focusing on our breathing, we can ride out each way and watch as it.

Sep 07, 2019 Gambling addiction is also known as compulsive gambling, pathological gambling, or gambling disorder. It can be defined as an impulse-control disorder. If you are an impulsive gambler, you can not control the urge to gamble, even when you know it has negative consequences for your finances, you as a person or your loved ones. Recognizing and Resisting Urges One of the key skills in overcoming compulsive habits like substance abuse, smoking, gambling, overeating and so on is to recognize and resist urges. We often have distorted, unrealistic beliefs about urges.

Till Next Time

Many people can enjoy gambling without it becoming a problem, but over time, some people develop a gambling addiction that can ruin their lives. Compulsive gambling is a progressive illness, so even if you’ve gambled before and been okay, a problem could develop later on. The urge to gamble can be overwhelming, leading someone to lie, steal, blow through their savings and miss out on the rest of their lives. Several signs indicate when normal enjoyment of gambling transitions into a problem. The earlier the process is identified, the better the chances for a successful recovery. Although compulsive gambling is hard to overcome, many people are able to manage their illness with professional help.

Understanding a Gambling Compulsion

A gambling compulsion can begin the first time someone places a bet, or it could gradually progress into an addiction over time. According to the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, how long it takes someone to develop a problem varies by the individual, though compulsions tend develop more quickly in people who engage in continuous forms of gambling, such as online betting or using slot machines. Some gamblers find themselves showing symptoms of a compulsion in less than a year when doing this type of gambling. People who bet on horse races or play card games that allow for natural breaks in play might not develop a gambling problem until they’ve been gambling for a lot longer.

How to Diagnose Compulsive Gambling

Experts don’t know specifically what leads to compulsive gambling. Many factors could contribute to the problem, such as hereditary or environmental factors. Diagnosing a gambling problem involves looking for signs someone is out of control. Possible signs of a gambling problem include:

Spending more money on gambling than one can afford
Difficulties in personal relationships caused by gambling
Gambling getting in the way of work
An inability to cut back or stop gambling
Spending more time gambling than before
Attempting to hide gambling from friends or medical professionals
Stealing or committing fraud to support gambling
Asking for loans to cover gambling debts

How to Recognize an Addictive Gambler

Although compulsive gamblers often share the trait of low self-esteem, two main types of compulsive gamblers are common: escape gamblers and actions gamblers. Recognizing a compulsive gambler is easier if you know the characteristics of each type. An action gambler is someone who likes to play games involving skill and beating the odds. Poker is an example of an action game. These types of gamblers are often extroverted, self-confident and even arrogant. An escape gambler views gambling as a form of escapism, seeing it as a distraction from real life. These gamblers can appear withdrawn, unhappy or introverted.

According to the Mayo Clinic, signs indicate compulsive gamblers approach gambling as a means to escape problems or feelings, such as depression, guilt or helplessness. Some other ways to recognize a compulsive gambler include looking for signs of:

A preoccupation with gambling
Gradually taking more risks
Reliving memories of gambling
Guilt or remorse following gambling
Taking time off work to gamble

Steps You Can Take to Help Someone With a Gambling Problem

If you suspect someone you know has a gambling problem, ways to help are available; however, the most important thing you can do is to encourage them to get help from a professional. We can assist you in finding help for a loved if you call . It’s important to remember that even though a person’s gambling has affected you to the point where you’re ready for them to change, they might not be ready yet. You can offer support and seek professional help with how to proceed, but you can’t make someone ready to change.

Talking to Someone With Gambling Problems

Although it can be challenging to confront someone about a gambling problem, the best thing you can do is to start by asking someone if the problem exists, according to the Victoria State Government. Although you might not get a straight answer and you won’t know how someone will react, if you approach someone in a non-confrontational way, you might get some useful information.

When talking to someone with a gambling problem, remember that if you want someone to be honest with you, be honest yourself. Letting someone know you suspect a problem and are worried, in a suppo

How To Resist Gambling Urges