Hi Don
Yes, we have to avoid that first bet. We are compulsives and unfortunately we have to accept that if we place a bet we cannot control the consequences.
I have done a lot of thinking about my own gambling.
Fundamentally I was not happy or content. My self esteem was low, I was often looking at what others had or what they were doing,
Also I have a poor relationship with money. I can be scrooge like one minute then reckless the next??? I had thoughts money would make me happy. I had wins but it didn’t make me happy.
Look at some lottery winners, they have relationship problems, drug/alcohol issues and are sometimes back to square one soon enough.
Money helps in life for sure. Paying the bills and buying nice things. But it does not guarantee happiness.
I gambled out of boredom, to seek some excitement too. I need to get my “kicks” elsewhere.
So now I am on a quest to find true happiness and contentment.
There are many good things in my life, I need to be grateful for those. I need to be grateful for the simple things in life.
Looking more closely at betting being a situation that we are sucked into and can be tormented. Sometimes if I won I still was not happy because I would think I should have put more money on that or got better odds!! If I lost I would chase, chase, chase to get it back.
Winning made me greedy, seeking another high sometimes too. Chasing losses made me totally obsessed.
If I am even thinking about placing a bet now I come on here and post myself, read what I have written previously or look at other posts.
Best wishes.
