Hi all,
Just going to post a few links here in relation to gambling problems/addiction. If you've suffered something similar in the past, please post your own tips and stories for other Bitcointalk members who are potentially having the same issues.
Also references to good helplines/websites are appreciated, I'll edit them into the topic.
This one here I've personally found very helpful, especially the live advise helpline (I haven't used it but I've recommended it to others who say good things):
https://www.gamblingtherapy.org/Few others I found via google:
https://www.problemgambling.ca/gambling-help/online-tools/http://www.helpguide.org/articles/addiction/gambling-addiction-and-problem-gambling.htmAdditionally if you would just like to talk to someone you're more than welcome to shoot me a PM and I'll give you my contact details, I understand how much of a problem gambling can be for some people having seen it first hand and being there to support them through it.
Replies in this thread I deem to be very helpful/need attention:This is what makes me never gamble/gamble anything but spare change + some thoughts:
1.) Understanding odds to a decent level. As a former professional poker player, i only like to make +ev bets. I do not consider p2p poker "gambling". After many years playing poker a roulette wheel or any other house edge game etc hold very little joy for me.
So i would suggest anyone stuck with gambling problem learn the odds in depth. Dont delude yourself that any 1 bet vs the house is a winner even if you win - its hard because sometimes you do win on a -ev bet and it deceives you. In a parallel universe you lost.
2.) I like making money. If you make -ev bets you must like to lose money or something that is the truth of it. We aren't above needing money to survive so unless you want to self destruct on some level? which you might, you need money.
I know its not this simple but it seems like gamblers want to self destruct?... at least on some level, thats a hard thing to get over, been there and dont have a simple solution because everyone is different with different life set up. Maybe admitting you are attempting to self destruct when gambling is a good first step vs deluding yourself that a -ev bet means something else.
Its hard to recognize a -ev bet with some things in life but with gambling vs the house its very clear using math measurements only.