Sportsbook Addiction Remedies
Do you feel like your gambling habits are damaging your personal life? It’s a yes or no question, so for all of you who answered “maybe” or “I don’t know”, it’s time to take a step back and a long, hard look at your life when it comes to sports betting. Maybe you’re addicted or maybe you’re not, but before you finish reading this article I will personally make sure that you have a little bit more information to make that decision.
Why Do You Gamble?
So, let’s start with something basic- why do you gamble? Don’t worry; it’s only you and I talking here, I promise to never tell a soul. Here’s the thing though; you have to answer this one question and it has to be a completely honest answer. I really do not mind if you lie to me but it’s ridiculous to lie to yourself; if that’s what you’re doing then you definitely have a sports betting problem. So do both of us a favor; take a deep breath, clear your mind, and answer the question…why do you gamble?
Signs of Sportsbook Addiction
Okay, good…now we’re getting somewhere. If you gamble for fun and it does not hurt your monthly expenses, then go away; this article is not for you. If you spend plenty of time with friends and family (outside of a sportsbook) and you’re always there for your wife and kids, then stop reading and go bet the five horse at Belmont. If you do not think about gambling except when you’re out for a night on the town or on a vacation, you’re free to take off too; have a nice day. If any of those statements sound kind of familiar, however, it’s time to take a long, hard look in the mirror and re-evaluate some priorities.
Beating the Blame Game
Before we go any further, I think it’s probably time to tell you that I used to be heavily addicted to sports betting. At first it was like a curse; I won over $2,000 on my first day of betting the horses and my luck seemed to be just about endless. Week after week I’d hit the track and decipher the programs so I could make smart bets; at one point I thought that it was a gift. The great thing about gambling money is that it’s so easy to spend; fast cars, loose women…the perks seem almost endless when you’re on a winning streak.
Symptoms of Sports Betting Addiction
The problem is, those highs never last forever. A gambling addiction is just like alcohol, marijuana, cigarettes or cocaine; some people are hooked the very first time they try it. Sportsbook addiction is especially dangerous because you might not show any of the telltale symptoms; mood swings, depression, compulsion to double up, or false beliefs that your problem is under control. Heck, you may be perfectly happy even when you end up blowing thousands of dollars on a sure thing, but trust me- it’s a problem.
Beating Sports Betting Addiction
Well, the pamphlets and prevention groups tell me that we are not alone; millions of people are fighting gambling addictions and that’s somehow supposed to help. Let me be the first one to tell you; it doesn’t. The only thing that will help you with your undeniable compulsion to gamble is a professional counselor that is trained with methods to beat what you’re going through; it really is the only way. Now, you might think to yourself, “I’m not going to any stupid meetings to tell my life story in front of a bunch of other people,” and that’s fine; right now you only need to start with baby steps.
Below are several phone numbers for organizations that help people just like you and me with gambling addictions. They’re not going to ask you a bunch of personal information and they’re not there to judge you; these folks just want to help you get your life back on track because they’ve been where you are right now. Addiction sucks, there’s not denying that, but it’s a whole lot worse when you just can’t seem to convince yourself that it’s time for a change.
If you think that you have a sports betting addiction, then please give someone below a call; it doesn’t have to be like this any longer.
Gamblers Anonymous (213) 386-8789
isomain@gamblersanonymous.org
National Council on Problem Gambling (800) 522-4700
http://www.ncpgambling.org
Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (800) ADMIT-IT
http://www.gamblinghelp.org/
