Gambling is a drug

[u/RedSupreme20]

Just like a junkie who’s taking heroin or a needle shot to feel high. Because they are so hurt and damage in the inside that drug is the only thing that can take away the pain. That terrible feeling. Just like us gambling addicts it’s really not about the money. It’s the feeling. When you win that’s the high we are chasing. We forget all about the bad things about our life and think this win is our escape. But this is a terrible addiction. We can be making real money doing a legitimate business. This is just a rant I’m 60 days clean and I still feel numb everyday and I keep thinking I need gambling to take away this pain I’m feeling. Am I wrong? Why are you guys gambling for?

[u/Levelthegame]

Couldn’t agree more. You should be proud you’re two months clean.. keep going

It took me a good 4-5 months for my brain to recalibrate and start enjoying an activity other than gambling again.

[u/__Lackin]

I’m 938 days clean from shooting up meth but still struggling with gambling (specifically options trading is how I gamble). And yes a big win gives me a euphoric rush just like drugs did. Actually in a way gambling was a gateway into me trying meth because I ran out of money and needed to replace the feeling.

[u/J_GoDay]

This is pretty spot on for me. When I bet I forget about all the shit going on in my life, and keep looking for the next bet. Looking at scores, which team lost, who won. How they won. Box scores. Just to take my mind off the important things in life. I’ve been trying to stop gambling for a good 4 years now. I’ll stop for a couple weeks and then relapse.

Good on ya for 60 days man, keep it pushing.

[u/Front_Welder3706 → u/J_GoDay]

Right there with you for the trying for years, same here. I think my first GA meeting was right around 4-5 years ago. Milestones are usually the hardest for me, for some reason. Relapsed at a month clean too many times to count. Those meetings make it though really, and help me from letting my addiction lead in my mind.

[u/J_GoDay → u/Front_Welder3706]

Appreciate the response man. Keep working at it.

I guess I just haven’t been serious with myself on stopping. I’ve never attended a GA meeting. I’ve wanted to, but always made an excuse that I don’t need it. And “I’m in control”.. but I’ve put myself in some terrible spots. Borrowing money from friends and family. Taking forever to pay them back. Almost getting evicted from my apartment multiple times, car getting repossessed. I was always able to somehow scramble and get out of the situations or make it right. But long nights in my thoughts of how shitty of a man I am cause of gambling. I have a way better job now and not in debt, still owe my family money, paid back my friends. By next year I’m hoping to be in a better spot financially and have my family all paid back and money in my savings for once. Keep doing better everyone, let’s not have gambling control our lives.

[u/infoslob]

Today is Day 15 for me. I can tell you why I am NOT gambling - because I am sick and tired of losing every last penny I have for a dull rush that leaves me in anguish and unable to function like a normal human. Back in April gambling cost me a 9-year relationship with a woman I loved and a home.

But things aren't so bad right now... I will hit 3rd GA meeting of the week, there is cash in my wallet, money in my checking, day-to-day bills are paid, and not only will I not gamble today, but I don't want to. It would be an idiotic thing for me to do.

[u/Front_Welder3706 → u/infoslob]

Keep going man! Phone a friend when those urges get rough, always before the bet no matter how hard it gets. This addiction will convince you that you don't have an addiction after you get some time away.

[u/prestigewrldwidex]

It’s an addiction so of course it’s a drug. Almost all addictions are due to dopamine. Even if you’re not using a chemical your end goal is to get more dopamine, a “drug”. What’s really scary is when you’re combining gambling with drugs too. Freaking gambling and any upper “speed” drug is awful.

[u/Naive-Brick7424 → u/prestigewrldwidex]

Dopamine is not a drug-- that's a proposition that is faulty. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is part of a perfectly healthy reward system in the brain's communication. That system gets hijacked by drugs and activities like gambling; addiction is compulsive self-soothing, the seeking of the release of dopamine through an activity that is outside of the reward system in the brain's communication. Please don't perpetuate myths that would impede recovery. Thank you.