Down side to Gambling

This may not be the right place and I hope it doesn't offenf anyone, but I really want to air my dirty laundry and tell you my story. I mean, we're all brothers and sisters, right? We share a common bond...WE LOVE TO GAMBLE.
When I was 26, gambling was something sinners did out in the desert of Las Vegas...far away from my small, mid-western town. Then the river boats showed up and, poof, I was addicted...big time. Lets face it, its fun, its a nice "getaway" from your everyday-ordinary life, and we all possess a little carelessness...its in our character to be fun-loving, charasmatic, and carefree.
Gambling, for most is managable, but for about 10% of us, its not. Eight years into my addiction I started writing bad checks and even took money that didn't belong to me, though I turned myself in, the judge was not impressed. I had no criminal back ground, was a college graduate, a school teacher, none of it mattered. (by the way it was $800)
I served 27 month in prison...hard time, in with the murderers, child molestors, you name it....it was not a fun time... all because I couldn't control myself. Well, here I am 5 years later, doing well. I don't have a checking acct (by choice) and no CC's. When I want to gamble I use what cash I have and put in on a pre-paid card, when its gone, its gone. Life is ok now, though I lost my job and all of my credentials, I manage. I am not preaching, just a little something to chew on. I guess gambling will always be in my blood, but atleast, now, I can control it, it appears. Thanks for listening. Missrae

missrae, THANKS FOR THE REMINDER
We all need to use this as fun and not
play with anything that we cant afford to loose.
THERE IS ENOUGH free money to get some
action every day with no deposit.
IF YOU CANT AFFORD IT DONT DO IT

I know I am addicted.. ops: BUT I also have control and
budget my gambling money. Online gambling has saved
me THOUSANDS
Because before i got online I would play
$1000 or $500 a day in local casinos
or vegas.. Now $20- $60 a day is a max for me.. AND I PLAY
A TON Because of all the bonus money

ALSO.. dont play when upset or angry, you will loose.
Gamble when you have a great day and as a small
pleasure

Thanks for your kind words. I appreeciate it. I hear ya, I never go to land-based casinos..ever, though I've won a ton, I've lost more, and I spent more at them. I don't recommend gambling for those who are addicted or to imply that you can control it...this is my choice. My lessons have been hard ones and this is my own little way to control something I know I will always love to do. Have a great day.

Hi mssrae, Glad you got your gambling under control, have faith and it will stay that way. I got six words for you and others that might help. ( TWENTY DOLLARS EVERY TWO WEEKS PERIOD ) These are my gambling limits and always have been no more no less.
And I like to gamble!!
Did take a trip to Vegas one time for three days though and spent 500, but that was a planned vacation.
TDTAT, I agree with you 100%, but I dont think your an addicted, you have a budget that works for you, thats what matters.
Have a good day, and know your limits, it makes it much more fun.

Well confession time is upon us and I know that I am an addict. I have ruined my excellent credit and created a lot of wreckage in my life. I have tried the programs to stop. But the thing is, I really enjoy gambling. They say that the high you get from gambling is the same high you get from crack cocaine because they both touch the same pleasure center in the brain.

Half of me wants to stop because I need to stop and it's the right thing to do in order to be in control of my life and my limited finances. Yet, the other half of me gambles for the high I get from it. I want to quit, but it seems, not badly enough to actually do it. Does anyone feel me on this?

CoraBets, I know I will gamble the rest of my life.
It might be the stock market, poker, pool or slots.. but its
all gambling, I dont want to quit because it really defines me.
I guess I am a good gambler because my poker wins
outweigh the losses. I cant, nor want to
imagine my life with no ACTION. Because that wouldnt
be living for me.

I guess no matter how you put it gambling is gambling, and your always taking a chance no matter what it's for driving, going to the bank, etc. But lifes a gamble cuz you never know whats going too happen

thats good advice TDTAT. thats what i do sometime i save for a month to play but never play over 25.00

CoraBets, That sounds almost sad !! I love gambling
I've always loved it, but I've noticed the older I got
I don't worry about my weight anymore,
don't worry about the grey in my hair and
don't take gambling that serious. My
friend won $10,000.00 last week at the land
casino. It was her lucky day !! She won on
everything she touched..Slow down it will
be there tomorrow. Your friend Cora

i love to gamble but i need to stop, i always seem to spend to much
i have installed a game blocker so that i can't use places like neteller or click2pay
and i have even blocked some of the cites so that i am not temped.

just thought i would confess like you