I Have a Confession to Make: I Have a Problem and I Need Help.

[smahala1991]

Hello, my name is Stephen and I have a gambling problem. I really feel like I need to share my experience. I know a while back I wrote a mytake on my review of a casino. I just want to say now is not the right time for judgement or ridicule. It all started back in September 2017 when Sweepstakes parlors became legal in North Carolina for the time being. For those of you who do not know what a Sweepstakes parlor is I'll explain. It's a little mom and pop casino in most seedy strip malls where they have slot machines and fish tables.

They are not regulated by the state of NC so the money is not taxed. Which is odd because both the state lottery and Indian casinos are regulated by the State. So anyway my first few times I win big. I won 400 bucks at one time and 700 another. But like most addicts once I got the big wins, I was in it big. Then I started putting more and more money into the machines and ultimately gambling away my food and gas money. But the worst was this morning. This morning I went to the sweepstakes parlor. This woman told me that she would help me at the fish tables if I would let her play for me. So I agreed.

She was doing good with it until she asked if I wanted to split the money, I said no I have to pay rent. From there she just continued to shoot fish doing well until the money went low. Then she said she spent the 20 I gave her and said she had me don't worry. Well time passed for about 2 hours and I started panicking because I knew she was lying. And she became irritated because I really wanted her to win that money back. I then got upset after no results and felt depressed and started panicking.

I went to the ER saying I was depressed and panicking because I lost a lot of money and really felt guilty. I have been feeling depressed a lot lately. At times even thinking of running my car off of the road not to hurt anyone else but to hurt me and I have also considered going somewhere and not letting people know my whereabouts. But at the ER I talked to a psychiatrist who gave me a couple numbers to call if I needed help, and recommended me to see a psychiatrist and get medication.

Yes I know addiction sucks and depression and anxiety does too. But I'm going to get the help I need because I know I could not hurt myself for real. I really need support right now. Not criticism.

#addictedtogambling

#depression

[JudgmentDay]

If your not deep into gambling debts you still have a better chance of letting of this go and behind you. Otherwise things are gonna get more difficult and complicated. It takes great amount of willpower to stop an addiction or bad habit. Confirm and remind yourself over and over that it's no longer worth the trouble and that you're only gonna make the situation much more severe and worse than it already is if you keep going down this road and not turning back and quitting it altogether. Quit it altogether by going cold turkey.

Re-assess and figure out what are your options now and if there are any best or least shitty ones for you to get out of the current situation you are in and FOLLOW THROUGH WITH IT.

You don't want the situation to become even worse and MORE FUCKED UP than it already is to the point of no return.

And right now, I don't think you're even that close to a point of no return, but perhaps I'm wrong? And that you are in Thousands of dollars or even Tens of Thousand of dollars in debt? Maybe you'll need a debt negotiator. There's gotta be some other way or alternative that you can take and get you out of the mess you are in. I really don't think it's too late and you'll get out of this one way or another, although it will take time. But you'll be alright.

[smahala1991]

In really not in deep debt with gambl8ng its just with my paycheck idont know when to stop. But this morning I wanted to stop but the one who was gambling for me ruined that

[JudgmentDay]

Stop going back there. If you owe any debts, pay them back in bulk asap right away to avoid owing even more money all fucking thanks to interest growth, etc. Find new hobbies and new places to go to. Avoid going back to that place and avoid seeing or contacting that lady ever again, she sure had fucked you over once already. Don't ever allow that possibility to happen again.

[smahala1991]

I can't believe I believed her

[JudgmentDay]

It happened already, can't go back in time and undo what had already taken place and occur just make sure that does not repeat again and happen again. One other thing. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it PROBABLY IS. That's exactly what happened here, she was looking for someone to take advantage of. You got lucky this time that it wasn't some criminal or thug that could be a loan shark or something that could come looking for you if there are losses and they hold you responsible for it. Careful with dealing with people that you don't really know and seems too good to be true and has their own motives. Best to avoid them altogether and say thanks, I'm all good and move on if they ever offer you something that's to good to be true.

[vishna]

Stephen, you're a beautiful soul. And I know this is hard for you, but you're so brave to confront your demon head on.

You're doing the right thing by getting help when you feel low and I sincerely wish you all the best. <3

[Aynsof]

That sucks man
I do enjoy gambling but never really been addicted to it but I can understand how one can be
There is a big rush when you win
I have a couple silly superstitions about gambling one of which I think helps me keep out of trouble
Never ever bet money you cannot afford to lose but if you do you will lose it
I know statiscally it should not make a difference but experience tells me otherwise
My best guess would be it is a mental thing if you can be Zen about betting you make better choices where if you need to win you are anxious about it you make poorer choices
But if you are addicted you will always need to win...
And if you need to win that is when you need to step away
I wish you better luck getting past this than you had at whatever that fish game is

[smahala1991]

I learned not to trust people

[TripleAce]

let me share a thought with you pal...
--> I never gamble... not because I don't enjoy it but because losing hurts way more than winning

lets look at it this way --> you work yes... you win 400 extra... so what? what does that 400 extra actually bring to you... nothing really... you can work a week extra in a month and make that 400 .. no prob

but losing 400... now that's money that hurts because you earned it... and it took a long time to get
--> to me gaining 200 bucks doesn't feel as good as losing 200 feels bad... so I just don't gamble.. no need.. if I need 500 more... ill find a way to Make that

--> listen, you have to convince this very concept... once you can, you won't really gamble again...
I rather spend my 400 on stuff then risk it to gain another 400... cause the initial 400 is enough for me

[_乃尺OЩ刀_TITI]

It's good thing you admit. My father was addicted to gambling even this day I don't think he still wants to admit verbally or show to people he admits but inside he admitted since he stopped gambling, it destroyed him. Addiction messes up rational thinking.

[OldSchool_Metalhead]

really man I wish you the best. its a first step confessing what's going on because you are giving acknowledgement. just try to find help to get you through it all, cause I know this really sucks. good luck with it all

[Whatthefluff]

Thank you for sharing. I have family members who had/have gambling problems and it's definitely a difficult thing to experience. Feel free to message me if you ever want to :)

[Angelina25]

You'll have to have faith in yourself more than anything else

[Dog19]

Id rather have that problem than all the ones I have now. I just want relief

[IlyaTheImpaler]

How good are you with probability and statistics?

[smahala1991]

Not very

[Waffles731]

You should join a support group

[smahala1991]

Nearest one is 75 miles away in Charlotte

[LegateLanius]

Wow, man. That sucks. I hope things get better.

[cupidkisses]

You need a professional help

[BOUNTYGUY9]

go for help