silverrider52 said:Hey everyone, thanks for all the attention and the responses you've shared. I especially appreciated when Kyle Cooper53 chimed in with those comments; they really force you to sit back and think deeply about things..
I have my own struggle here, and in my view, it’s actually a pretty solid starting point for the whole issue. I've looked into this quite a bit, and most experts say that it is vital for the person involved—and let's not call them "patients" just yet—to be fully aware of their problem. That awareness is the foundation for any eventual recovery.
Personally, though, I don't feel like I'm at the stage where I need clinical treatment, let alone medication. I am willing—and yes, I truly mean it—to tell myself, "I don't want to do this anymore," and walk away from betting forever. But that isn't actually my goal. My goal is reduction: cutting down both the amount of free time I sink into this and the amount of cash I put on the line. To pull that off, I need to beef up my self-control, which, for the most part, I actually possess. Essentially, I need to master and neutralize that specific headspace that takes over when I lose control. That's the core issue. It triggers this rapid, mindless way of hemorrhaging money, which then forces me to bet even more just to try and recoup the losses. Naturally, that leads to spending even more time betting and throwing even more money into the fire..
Kyle Cooper53 did an excellent job outlining the technical or mechanical side of the problem, if you want to call it that. However, my initial take on all of this is the simple fact—as I see it—that sports betting and pure gambling are not the same thing.
I say this because back when I was just a kid, I had a habit of gambling—usually on those electronic poker machines. When I compare how I felt back then to how I feel now, there is a massive difference. That's why I maintain that gambling and betting aren't identical issues. Still, one bright spot in my situation is that I managed to quit that kind of gambling entirely, all on my own without any outside help, even though I was staring straight into the abyss of ruin at the time.. Because I have a strong will and a clear understanding of what was happening, I decided to stop, and it wasn't even a struggle. I haven't touched a poker machine in ten years, and I honestly have zero urge to go back. It was a similar story with smoking. I haven't lit a cigarette in five years and I have absolutely no desire for them; in fact, I find the whole thing pretty gross now.. So, I believe I have the right temperament to tackle this current problem with betting. But again, my intention isn't to QUIT entirely; it's to reduce. For people who live for sports and athletic competition, light, occasional betting can be a decent form of entertainment (especially during the winter months when, let's face it, if you're just sitting at home watching TV or scrolling through the internet, there aren't many other alternatives)..
Gambling is something else entirely. There are no limits, no boundaries, and the craving—along with the addiction itself—is significantly more intense than in sports betting. Plus, it is infinitely harder to see positive results in gambling compared to betting, which I view more like a version of the stock market—though I won't get bogged down in the technicalities of that right now. I just want to emphasize that they aren't the same problem, which means the diagnoses, the systems, and the methods for recovery shouldn't be treated as identical either..
First, let me tell you that we are quite similar; in our thought processes, and in the belief that any problem can be systematically analyzed and resolved through sound logic, reasoning, and deduction.
Given everything, you clearly have a passion for numbers—since they are the only things that never lie—which suggests you are a mathematician at heart. I, too, have a profound appreciation for numbers, combinatorics, and probability. By profession, I am a mathematician. And as you likely know, mathematicians are essentially the ones who invented gambling; even roulette is a product of Pascal's work.
For me, gambling—much like it is for you—has never been merely about placing a bet; it is something far more profound than that. It involves calculation, observation, constant scrutiny, and the attempt to forecast an immense array of variables that might influence an outcome. It is about dissecting sportsbook margins to see exactly how much they are squeezing us, hunting for value bets, and maintaining a meticulous study of sports.
I have always maintained the position that sports betting and playing slot machines or roulette should never be lumped together. However, upon deeper reflection and closer analysis of these subjects, I am beginning to conclude that we are actually dealing with the exact same fundamental issue in both instances.
By definition, gambling is the act of wagering money on events over which you have no influence, specifically for the purpose of profit. Sports betting is precisely that, regardless of how many people try to convince us otherwise. This is further evidenced by the fact that the same chemical processes occur within the brain whether you are waiting for the results of a game you wagered on or waiting to see if a machine hits a winning combination.
When you speak of sports betting, you are likely referring to "professional gambling," which is an entirely different beast altogether. That pursuit consists of the granular study of matchups—which I suspect is what you do—identifying flaws in the odds, or leveraging specific information to predict an outcome. The defining characteristic of such betting is control, or rather, self-control; that is the primary requirement of the profession. It is precisely this factor that distinguishes professional bettors from addicts.
I understand that this is the goal you aim to achieve; for you, it is a hobby that provides enjoyment, yet I am convinced that reaching that level requires an immense amount of effort and a grueling series of peaks and valleys. On the other hand, one must be extremely cautious regarding those moments when control slips; if these lapses in discipline become too frequent and trigger uncomfortable states, then the endeavor loses all meaning. Furthermore, there is the inherent risk of developing something far more dangerous, and one should never be under the illusion that they are immune to that progression.
I am not suggesting that you are an addict or that you require psychiatric or medical intervention—heaven forbid—but I am stating that even pathological addicts experience periods of control where everything seems fine and they believe they have mastered both their impulses and their finances. Following these periods, they experience crashes that inevitably become more frequent. Therefore, one must pay close attention to the frequency of these "manic" episodes.
Additionally, other stressors in life play a significant role. When stressful periods arise, gambling activity tends to escalate, and the loss of control becomes increasingly common.
In any case, I find myself rambling again, and I am uncertain if I can fully convey the essence of my thoughts through a forum, but so be it.
Now, allow me to present my own predicament.
I typically engage in sports betting, usually no more than three or four tickets per week, and there are seasons where it proves profitable. I am not one of those individuals who plays parlays with $3.25 or fifteen legs, as I do not consider that true betting; one might as well play the lottery. I never wager less than $33 and rarely exceed two legs, usually just one. This does not pose a problem for me because if I have not thoroughly studied the matchup, I simply do not play.
Conversely, the slot machines represent my struggle, as they are where I tend to lose my grip. I play them because they offer relaxation; there is no better escape from life's problems and the realities of the world. For those thirty minutes to two hours I spend playing, I become completely detached from everything else. Most of the time, I maintain control; I set a budget and a time limit, and whether I win or lose, it would be a perfectly acceptable way to unwind if it weren't for those periodic bouts of mania. During those times, I lose control and squander more than I planned—not just in terms of money, but in terms of time as well.
I have been playing for five or six years now and have never fallen into a financial crisis or accumulated debt. I will not claim that gambling hasn't cost me certain things, but nothing catastrophic. Everyone has their own demons they spend money on. However, it has begun to bother me that I am frequenting gaming lounges too often and that these periods of losing control are becoming more recurrent.
I have also noticed that I become agitated if I take even a short break, and I find it difficult to suppress the impulse and the urge that pulls me back there. Consequently, I have decided to address this issue head-on by attempting to stay away from them for a while; a task that, I suspect, will be anything but easy. I considered using sports betting as a form of therapy to compensate, but I fear I would merely be substituting one addiction for another, which is all too common in recovery.
I find myself compelled to write at length once again, specifically to share a case study presented at a recent conference on this subject. I stumbled upon it in a slide deck; it serves as a sobering reminder that even those who consider themselves savvy bettors are far from immune to this pathology.
Patient Presentation No. III.
Pathological Gambling: An Impulse Control Disorder
A 33-year-old economist, banker, and father of two.
Initial onset occurred in 2003.
For the past 12 years, he has suffered from pathological addiction to sports betting.
He first sought clinical intervention following a seven-day disappearance from his home, during which he contemplated suicide while wandering through dangerous, unmapped wilderness areas, though he did not attempt to take his own life.
Driven by the insistence of his wife and father, and in a desperate attempt to prevent being fired, he finally entered treatment.
Treatment commenced via inpatient hospitalization.
The father managed to recover the financial losses.
However, a relapse inevitably occurred, leading to further destructive behavior that eventually crossed into criminal activity.
He attempted suicide using plastic bags and gas, though the attempts were unsuccessful.
Continued hospital treatment was conducted in rural facilities before being transferred to a major medical center in Chicago.
His pharmacological regimen includes olanzapine, paroxetine, lamotrigine, and alprazolam.
He is currently in remission.
He lost his job. He continues to seek similar employment, but only within different corporations.
He remains unsuccessful, as his reputation precedes him.
In any case, I am glad you initiated this discussion; although participation is sparse at the moment, perhaps others will eventually join. It is refreshing to have found someone capable of a rational debate regarding gambling and the broader nature of wagering.
Self-control is our greatest asset... Enjoy.