I think I have a gabling problem.  I don't see it ending because I am going
to keep trying to win back my loses but that's probably not going to happen.

I was up big a few days ago (after winning back all my previous loses) and
over the past day have managed to lose it all, plus additional money in
attempt to win that back.

I'm somewhat embarrassed to go to an GA meeting.  I'm only 18 and I don't
know what others would think of me there.  I also live at him and have
parents who make six figures a year.  My situation is only bad in my
personal sense (having lost five figures this year) and five figures in
previous years as well.  This was my own personally money earned (not
parents).

Should I go to a GA meeting?

Report this post to a moderator

[  Post Follow-up to this message ]

On Sun, 7 Dec 2003 20:02:04 -0500, "Matthew" <noemail@give.com> wrote:

>I think I have a gabling problem.  I don't see it ending because I am going
>to keep trying to win back my loses but that's probably not going to happen
.
>
>I was up big a few days ago (after winning back all my previous loses) and
>over the past day have managed to lose it all, plus additional money in
>attempt to win that back.
>
>I'm somewhat embarrassed to go to an GA meeting.  I'm only 18 and I don't
>know what others would think of me there.  I also live at him and have
>parents who make six figures a year.  My situation is only bad in my
>personal sense (having lost five figures this year) and five figures in
>previous years as well.  This was my own personally money earned (not
>parents).
>
>Should I go to a GA meeting?
>


A good question which if you read and answer "Honestly!" these 20
questions, you'll have your answer.

TWENTY QUESTIONS

1.  Did you ever lose time from work or school due to gambling?


2.  Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?


3.  Did gambling affect your reputation?


4.  Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?


5.  Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or
otherwise solve financial difficulties?


6.  Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?


7.  After losing did you feel you must return as soon as possible and
win back your losses?


8.  After a win did you have a strong urge to return and win more?


9.  Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone?


10.  Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling?


11.  Have you ever sold anything to finance your gambling?


12.  Were you reluctant to use "gambling money" for normal
expenditures?


13.  Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself or your
family?


14.  Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned?


15.  Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble?


16.  Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act
to finance gambling?


17.  Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?


18.  Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you
an urge to gamble?


19.  Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few
hours of gambling?


20.  Have you ever considered self destruction or sicide as a result
of your gambling?



See below what your score means.





Most compulsive gamblers will answer yes to at least seven of these
questions.

Report this post to a moderator

[  Post Follow-up to this message ]

You didn't say what you were playing. If it was blackjack, maybe you
just don't know how to play. Maybe you made bad moves. Maybe if you
learn how to play, you can enjoy yourself without losing a bunch of
money.

Gambling is a pastime enjoyed by many people of all income levels. So
is drinking alcohol. In moderation, both can be fun. Don't go to a GA
meeting (where they will tell you, in no uncertain terms that you must
NEVER again make a single bet - EVER - ) unless you are prepared to
give it up entirely. If you go to a meeting and, following the
meeting, decide to gamble, you will have a shitload of guilt piled on
top of everything else.

Also, to quote GA "Most of us feel that a belief in a Power greater
than ourselves is necessary in order for us to sustain a desire to
refrain from gambling." If you're an athiest, GA is not likely to work
for you!

Gambling can be fun and entertaining, if you're not in it "for the
money."

Disclaimer: I am in the gaming business. I publish a magazine for slot
machine technology call Slot Tech Magazine. You can visit the website
at http://slot-tech.com

IMHO, problem gambling is not a "sickness." It's just a matter of
mindset and moderation, as it is with most things in life.

If you've decided that gambling is not for you, you can ask to be
blackballed from your local casinos. That way, if you lose your
resolve and try to return, you'll be escorted off the property.

Good luck . . . Oops! I mean best regards,

Randy

On Sun, 7 Dec 2003 20:02:04 -0500, "Matthew" <noemail@give.com> wrote:

>I think I have a gabling problem.  I don't see it ending because I am going
>to keep trying to win back my loses but that's probably not going to happen
.
>
>I was up big a few days ago (after winning back all my previous loses) and
>over the past day have managed to lose it all, plus additional money in
>attempt to win that back.
>
>I'm somewhat embarrassed to go to an GA meeting.  I'm only 18 and I don't
>know what others would think of me there.  I also live at him and have
>parents who make six figures a year.  My situation is only bad in my
>personal sense (having lost five figures this year) and five figures in
>previous years as well.  This was my own personally money earned (not
>parents).
>
>Should I go to a GA meeting?
>

Report this post to a moderator

[  Post Follow-up to this message ]