When Gambling Starts as Fun but Turns Into Something You Can’t Escape

[hedgeh0g]

Anyone here went through that phase? When gambling stopped being fun and started running your life?

I haven't got to that stage and hopefully it won't be me. Everything we do in life should be done with moderation, including eating and wining.

We have some cases in the forum of members who went through all this and they not only overcame it but are able to continue around without it affecting them negatively anymore, in their words.

But these must be very exceptional cases. Once you go too far with an addiction, most of the times the only way to recover is by keeping zero contact with the substance or activity you hooked up with.

I think it's important to take a break from gambling sometimes; it can have a significant positive impact. I went through various difficult periods before deciding to give up gambling completely for a few months, and it really helped me. During the first week of abstinence, I thought I'd relapse, but then I relaxed and realized gambling shouldn't be such a big part of my life. I eventually returned to gambling, but my perspective and attitude had changed. I simply realized that there's no need to recoup my losses; that will only make things worse. Millions of players have gone through this process, and we shouldn't repeat those mistakes.

[Tungbulu]

If you start gambling for fun, you should not turn it into something that you can't escape. Many people face this situation when they start playing gambling because of curiosity. They win at the beginning so which attracts them to test it again in the next days.

Rather than curiosity, I’d say too high an expectation. When gamblers set too much expectations from the casino, it can easily lead them into switching of mindset, attitude and finally approach. It could be that they initially just wanted to while away time but then just as you said, they managed to hit a crazy multiplier or a jackpot and that opened a whole new dimension of possibilities that they can actually make a hell of a good money from gambling, then they suddenly switch their mindset from fun to making money, and then gradually their attitude and approach also changes and then it’s gone, they’re trapped in the loop of chasing profits and losses and they don’t even know how they got there or how to escape it.

[SOKO-DEKE]

That has happened to me before and I believe many people have experienced it before. Sometimes, someone may not quickly notice that his or her gambling activity is turning into something serious. They lose everything they have.As for me, I started gambling for fun, but the way I later gambled showed that I was getting addicted. Sometimes, if I lost, I would still deposit some amount again just to get my losses back. I did that for some time before I started noticing that I was getting addicted to gambling.

That is how I stopped gambling for a while before I went back to gambling again. But now, I have been able to control myself, as I always have a budget for my gambling activities. Seriously, I can say now that I am gambling for fun, and I will hardly get addicted again.

[tvplus006]

...Some say it’s just lack of discipline, others call it addiction. But honestly, it feels deeper than that, especially when you keep convincing yourself that you still have it under control...

I think this is not the result of a lack of discipline, but rather a medical condition caused by gambling addiction. Such problems are caused by a combination of social and biological factors, when for the sake of a dose of dopamine, the player continues to play contrary to common sense.

[terrific]

That is how I stopped gambling for a while before I went back to gambling again. But now, I have been able to control myself, as I always have a budget for my gambling activities. Seriously, I can say now that I am gambling for fun, and I will hardly get addicted again.

You can't be sure of it because it can come back when you haven't guarded yourself.
But if you're so confident that gambling addiction won't come to you anymore, then that should assure yourself so.
Because those who were able to achieve and overcome that, stand for themselves and made sure that it won't be the same anymore.
They have guarded themselves from the addiction that they hardly escaped before and turned into a way to simply have fun without so much emotions attached in it.

[Jatiluhung]

Anyone here went through that phase? When gambling stopped being fun and started running your life?
Curious how bad it got and how you managed to get out of it.

I think most of us have experienced that phase. Some people manage to get out of it and regain control, while others remain stuck in that phase. Personally, I am better able to control myself because I have strict financial management. Without that, I might also become someone who is quite addicted. Fortunately, perhaps because of my busy schedule and strict financial management, I am able to control my time. although it’s true that even while working, I might still think about my next bet. but it’s only in my mind and doesn’t interfere at all. However, bad habits usually resurface on days off when I have more free time. sometimes that’s when I lose control. But well, it’s only occasionally for me, so I think it’s normal.

[Numeral]

I can't say that most people start gambling for fun. I get the impression that it's beginners who are motivated to win something, whether it's a lot of money or a little, but to win nonetheless. And it is this motivation that drives them when gambling. Then some people realize that the risks outweigh the opportunities and they moderate their enthusiasm. Others continue to play methodically at all costs and wait for their luck to finally come, but in the long run, such people can lose a fortune.

So those who play for fun are both those who came for that reason in the first place and those who, in the process of playing, have realized that there is no point in chasing winnings, but rather it is better to enjoy the process of playing.

[Somto9Light]

I think it's important to take a break from gambling sometimes; it can have a significant positive impact. I went through various difficult periods before deciding to give up gambling completely for a few months, and it really helped me. During the first week of abstinence, I thought I'd relapse, but then I relaxed and realized gambling shouldn't be such a big part of my life. I eventually returned to gambling, but my perspective and attitude had changed. I simply realized that there's no need to recoup my losses; that will only make things worse. Millions of players have gone through this process, and we shouldn't repeat those mistakes.

Of course taking a break from gambling is normal even though some people sees it as sign of weakness but it doesn't mean, the most important thing is you're doing it for your own safety. Because it is very bad when you start feeling uncomfortable with gambling and you still force yourself to continue just so that people won't talk about you or see you as a weak gambler, I personally don't care about what people might say or talk about me, i'm doing what I know is best for me and that's the most important thing. because if I keep listening to them I might get into serious problem, That is why I like sticking to whatever decision I make.

[junder]

This is very true. A lot of people do not even plan to get addicted, it just starts with something small or just for fun. Then after win once or twice they start having confidence to try again. Before they know it, they are chasing losses and telling themselves one more time every day.

The bad part is how gambling slowly change mindset. What normally start as entertainment can be attached. And when it is, walking away will be really hard.

With the thought of once again continuing like that, it will bring up thoughts that remain like that and bring up impulsive actions that can be repeated and can even last for a long time, it is very bad, we should be able to avoid this so that it does not happen and we do not experience it. When gambling has changed the mindset that was originally for fun but became hunting for victory then it is a failure of our self-control.

[qwertyup23]

<..snip..>
Anyone here went through that phase? When gambling stopped being fun and started running your life?
Curious how bad it got and how you managed to get out of it.

Yup what you just described was exactly the experience that I went through when I first started gambling.

When my brother introduced me to gambling, at first the initial excitement was always there. The hopes of winning huge amounts of cash, using your monthly savings from school to gamble and win unexpected amounts, and the feeling that you sit on top of the world whenever you hit the jackpot. All of a sudden, addiction starts to creep in slowly; profit turns into losses; and the act becomes an endless cycle that you just cannot escape.

This is exactly the reason on why I always advocate being responsible with your expenses. Set a limit- make sure to follow what you allocated for that day and accept the fact that you cannot recover your losses overall.

[TheUltraElite]

Its about moderation, because there are a lot of addictive things around us, yet people live among them with ease. The key is moderation as to avoid that addiction when it starts becoming harmful to you and your loved one.

If you control the amount spent on gambling you can enjoy it and still have fun while not having the frustration of losing too much. Eventually you will grow out of the addiction and be able to  control it even further.

However if you let your addiction control you then it will become bad.

[Su-asa]

This is very true. A lot of people do not even plan to get addicted, it just starts with something small or just for fun. Then after win once or twice they start having confidence to try again. Before they know it, they are chasing losses and telling themselves one more time every day.

The bad part is how gambling slowly change mindset. What normally start as entertainment can be attached. And when it is, walking away will be really hard.

That's right mate, most starting point for gamblers was good but along the line things begin to change gradually because they either expirence some losing streaks or winning streaks. Winning streaks makes them become greedy to win more and losing streak makes them chase after their losses and to be desperate for recovering from their losses, but all this things leads to addiction. It is very hard to recover from addiction so it's good to gamble safe.

[bhadz]

If a gambler cannot control their inner self, they'd really fall for the addiction that can be caused by gambling. The excitement that has been built through their first tries is going to develop as well. It can be skipped when a gambler has that strong will of getting out once they have become addicted. There will be ways out of it but if the will power isn't strong for that gambler, they're not going to make it. And that's the reason why many gets stuck to that addiction for a long time of their lives and causes them a lot of trouble when they can't skip it.

[B-BossMan]

You ever notice how most people start gambling just for fun -  small bets, a bit of thrill, nothing serious at first.
Then slowly it turns into a routine, then a habit, and before you know it, you’re chasing losses thinking the next win will fix everything.

Some say it’s just lack of discipline, others call it addiction. But honestly, it feels deeper than that, especially when you keep convincing yourself that you still have it under control.

Anyone here went through that phase? When gambling stopped being fun and started running your life?
Curious how bad it got and how you managed to get out of it.

Dude it was never an easy journey to me, because this is just something I started like fun which o was thinking that I have wised up to extend that gambling will not be my addiction, not until I started waiting for a day to brake and stake a game. But one thing I realized in gambling is, never make mouth that you will not be addicted to gambling when you haven't started yet because there's temptation in gambling once you are tempted by it you are finished, the best thing to is to avoid it and never try to test it even with funs.

[Y3shot]

Gambling may be done for fun at first but it can gradually turn into a way to make money, I think this change is not unusual it is normal. Initially, a gambler starts gambling for entertainment but gradually it can turn into an easy way to earn money in life. However I think that the gambler himself is responsible for the change in the purpose of gambling not anyone else. In the beginning gambling is conducted according to the right rules but gradually greed and emotion work and by conducting gambling based on emotion the purpose gradually changes and gambling gradually becomes an addiction. Therefore I think it is very important for gamblers to be aware while gambling.

Gambling can be a game of fun but it can be changed  as a way of generating money for gamblers only when they change their mindset from what gamnling is all about. It is very possible people start gambling to make fun but something make them to change their mind about gambling .

When going into gambling it is very important to be very conscious not to be carried away and divert the main reason for gambling.  Gambling is a game of fun and when you think you can make some money from gambling,  you may start gambling and find it so difficult to control your gambling urges and this is where discipline is very important in gambling because it will help one in maintaining one's focus in gambling and never to divert.

[Hispo]

I mean... Any gambling addict probably started their journey on casinos and bookies as either a way to make more money or as a way to distract themselves from the chaos of the adult life, it is not a secret how stressful responsibilities are.

The problem is lack of moderation and not knowing when to stop, of someone can recognize the first signs of addiction, then it is possible to act on time and avoid becoming addicted, endlessly chasing money and ruins ones future.

[Promocodeudo]

Gambling can be a game of fun but it can be changed  as a way of generating money for gamblers only when they change their mindset from what gamnling is all about. It is very possible people start gambling to make fun but something make them to change their mind about gambling .

When going into gambling it is very important to be very conscious not to be carried away and divert the main reason for gambling.  Gambling is a game of fun and when you think you can make some money from gambling,  you may start gambling and find it so difficult to control your gambling urges and this is where discipline is very important in gambling because it will help one in maintaining one's focus in gambling and never to divert.

Individuals defines gambling the way it suits them and follow it the way they like at anytime, actually some gamblers can from playing for fun and later start playing for the money, the reason is simple, emotions and giving more time to gambling than ever, a gambler that gambles for fun, don't attach emotions because they are only concentrating on the fun aspect and nothing more, gamblers like this gambles with what they can afford, because it is very simple to understand that, once you're gambling with what you can afford, it will not have much effect on you whennyiu lose and I think thats the method that's been applied by those that gamble for fun, this helps them not to abandone their purpose for gambling.

[Agbe]

Gambling starts from playing (fun) and not to become in-depth gambler. And what the Op said has lead many to become addicted gamblers in the gambling industry. So we have to do everything that possible to stop becoming addicted gamblers in the industry. Always have a limit. Set a budget to limit the excessive gambling.

[Leahized]

Anyone here went through that phase? When gambling stopped being fun and started running your life?
Curious how bad it got and how you managed to get out of it.

I myself used to gamble for fun but now I realize that there is no fun in gambling. And visiting various casinos, but the interesting thing is to enjoy gambling for free. But once in a while it will be seen to bet with a lot of money and lose. However I think, to get out of any bad situation,First of all spend less time there. I used to spend most of my time at the casino and realized I was on the verge of addiction. So to get out and reduce all hope from gambling. It is working fine for me.

[Muba20]

Anyone here went through that phase? When gambling stopped being fun and started running your life?
Curious how bad it got and how you managed to get out of it.

I myself used to gamble for fun but now I realize that there is no fun in gambling. And visiting various casinos, but the interesting thing is to enjoy gambling for free. But once in a while it will be seen to bet with a lot of money and lose. However I think, to get out of any bad situation,First of all spend less time there. I used to spend most of my time at the casino and realized I was on the verge of addiction. So to get out and reduce all hope from gambling. It is working fine for me.

Gambling can be fun if you can manage it within control. But the mistake we often make is that we manage gambling beyond our limits. When my betting limit is crossed, it no longer has the opportunity to be fun for me. Gambling is good as long as you can afford to lose. Another important thing is that when someone tries to increase the amount of money he has through gambling, greed will work in him. Once he gets greedy, it will not be easy to come back from there. Although in the beginning one can control his greed, but at some point greed can work and if one cannot control himself at that time there is a high possibility of getting addicted.