The Addiction Help .com

Haha... well my roomates would. But when I'm cashing $600 checks from Poker Stars and they are still staring at their stupid x-box strumming away with their guitar hero addiction at 3am..... I just point and laugh.

Let's be honest here. Gambling is a highly addictive activity. And although poker does involve a high level of skill, and much more so then slots, roulette, craps, etc.... If is still gambling. But that doesn't make anyone who plays often an addict.

I play everyday, but every so often I go through strecthes where I don't play for a week or so and I'm fine. When I don't play, I'm not really fiending for it; but I think I play so much just because I like it and enjoy pushing myself to be a better player.

The money is nice... and I admit that I get bored playing low buy-in toruneys, but I think as with any hobby, activity, habit... the line crossing over into addiction becomes blurred when you lose control, or it starts to effect your well-being or the lives of others.

My roomates make fun of me for playing all the time, but I'm not unwilling to stop playing and go out for drinks. Plus I set limits, and when I hit them... I stop for the day. I still work my 9-5 and leave room for other things. Some people go to the gym everyday... I play poker everyday. Doesn't mean I can't stop. That's the difference.

2008-01-15 09:49:24 by Kellster!

Gambling addiction

do you think liquor stores make it worse for alcoholics?

2007-11-27 01:31:54 by powell_is_power

Price: $2.99

do make more people addicted to the cycle

2008-04-25 08:17:00 by I never sleep.

the situation is my husband (no children involved) plays poker in different casinos. he says he wants to play for a living, todate he already lost thousands and thousands of dollars. he is unemployed. he's moody, snappy, unhappy if he doesn't get to play (if he's short of money) and refused to socialize with family or friends. he even thought and planned of leaving me but then he stays because he has no one else and he's scared too. he literally stole money from me (but returned them back i'm guessing because of guilt). he seldom expresses himself and seldom talks. i offered to seek counselling for him and i but he refuses. he says playing poker is not gambling. he wants to play poker for a living and this is what he does. he dreams to win a tournament. i'm confused, fearful and lost. i love him so much that i want him to understand that his playing poker is becoming to be an addiction and it is gambling addiction. please help.
to those who responded so far i really appreciate your input. i need more thoughts and input please. right now i have no one else to talk to but you guys. thank you so much.
thanks to all for sharing your thoughts on this question. i'll leave other voters to vote the best answer. as i find that all of you helped me rethink and reconsider what i need to do. again thank you.

You need to plan an intervention with a counselor. Your whole family needs to get involved. You both are destroying your marriage. You by supporting his habit and him by not seeking help.

2008-07-11 11:21:13 by yahwho

I am a compulsive gambler addicted to casino poker machines for more than 13 years now. Consequently, my husband and my children left me. I had been living in a dormitory trying to find work but always I end up going back to the casino to gamble in a few minutes what took me a month to earn. Wanting to recover the millions of pesos I lost in gambling, I tried to chase my losses by playing bigger and bigger. I embezzelled company funds by erasing checks and writing pay to cash so I can encash them, I borrowed from bank using fictitious name, I defrauded many people, I stole money and things from laptop, cellphone to jewelries, I got jewelries from a store on consignment and issued unfunded checks for them and then pawned them so I can have gambling money. Now I want to die from shame, guilt and fear of being put to jail. I am held back by my fear of hell. But sometimes I think that hell is just a fiction so I might succeed in getting done my suicidal thoughts one of these days.

You need to seek professional treatment as soon as you can. It is great that you are open to people speaking into your life. Keep that up. Once you're willing to admit and address the problem, your life will start to change for the better. There is nothing worth ending your life for, because I know that everything can be overcome. Call the National Counsel on Problem Gambling at 1-800-522-4700. It is a confidential 24 hour help line that will help you find a GOOD counselor in your area. Please call and give it a chance.

2007-10-02 22:22:44 by Tess T