The big win is what got me. After that, I was always under the impression that the next roll of the dice or the next flip of the card would be the next hot run. It truly is an illusion as someone else pointed out. Although gambling never got out of hand for me, there were times when I didn't have control and burned more funds than I should have. I have good control over gambling now. In fact, I have never gambled for over two years.
What do you think about when gambling comes to mind? I'm willing to guess that you think primarily about the hottest runs and biggest wins you've ever had. You relive those sweet moments and in turn, you feel that "high," that intense exhilarating feeling of coming up big. Now, if you continue to think of gambling like this, that gambling itch will surely continue. Thus, in order to gain control over gambling, you have to be consciously aware of HOW you think of gambling. This is how I personally gained control.
Whenever gambling comes to mind, think primarily of the negative aspects of your gambling: the cold runs and especially the feeling you get from that, the negative affects it brought to your life, losing big, etc. Make it a habit to think only of the negative aspects. If you do this consistently, that gambling itch will disappear.
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