Newbeginning421

Was sober 14 days always use sports betting as an excuse to go to bar and bet the games,,,,,,, Also not good for my poker which i make a side income doing... Looks like I will lose 3k on cheifs tonight listening to drunk at bar feel like an idiot. Any excuse to get to bar.... But to be fair this site has actually helped me I used to struggle to go a few days without booze now can go weeks

SnazzyDresser

Now that you can go weeks sober, I bet you can go months/years when you decide to.

Growing up in Missouri I always hated the Chiefs btw, which led to big-time alienation there. I've grew up a huge Oakland Raiders fan, latched onto their vibe the very first time I ever saw them play. This was back in the glory days of Madden, Stabler, Biletnikoff etc., good times. These days I don't even follow who makes the playoffs, that's what getting old does to a man.

Cityboy

Sounds like you are prioritizing your betting habit on football at the sports bar over a desire to put down your flask. Perhaps two addictions working together. Might have to cut them both off.

BornSurvivor

I don't think sports betting had much to do with it you probably just wanted to drink more than you wanted to stay sober. I've used excuses like New Years, parties, sports bar etc... to drink over the years. Bottom line was I just wasn't where I needed to be yet as far as how much I wanted to be sober. I wanted to get drunk I was just looking for an excuse my AV could provide me. Yes sports betting certainly isn't helping matters but sports betting isn't forcing you to buy alcohol and drink.

Hit up some meetings if you are into AA. Definitely keep posting on here. Focusing on taking it one day at a time. In those situations always play tape forward.. You know you'll regret drinking in any situation don't let your AV trick you into thinking you won't.

I'd also stay away from sports betting for a while. Clearly you are struggling with it and can't afford to lose money right now. It'll just add to stress which is something you clearly don't need right now.

biminiblue

I worked in a casino in Nevada for many years.

The Sports Book was a destroyer of men...along with the 24 hour free drinks. 3K is a lot to bet on one game. Sounds dangerous. I saw a lot of lives ruined by gambling, just like alcohol.

Newbeginning421

Seems I make a lot of stupid decisions when drunk and gambling. Actually still up a good amount in sports recently just would never have made a random bet like that if not completely loaded. -EV gambling is all bad but figured would make a day out of it since Thanksgiving is coming up another great excuse! Reason I am so angry is cause same dumb pattern of being drunk and making dumb bets but hey sometimes it works out but obviously ends badly more often than not. Obviously also doesn't help my poker playing drunk which is one of my main sources of income.. Poker is very different than sports but would not recommend anyone here play.

Usually just make an impulsive decision to go to bar but have been much better about it. Life is a lot simpler and easier without the bull crap that comes along with booze and drugs. No feeling like you can't get out of bed in the morning, wasted money, damaging friendships and career. Should just remember all of that instead of overthinking things going forward

AlbaSober

I closed my Betfair Casino account about a month ago. I opened an account during lockdown and won money via introductory offers but I couldn't leave it at that and would frequently open it when drunk. I think the last time I was playing £20 hands at blackjack and lost around £160. A drinking addiction is enough for me, so account closed.

SoberInCLE

Progress is progress, right? Be careful and don't do yourself any lasting harm. There are a ton of inspirational stories here about the joys of healthy living.

FlyAgain

I have always and currently do make my living as a professional gambler - I used to play pro poker, was on tv a few tunes etc but drinking killed that.

The vast majority of people should never go near any gambling product as they don’t understand them, and what they think is understanding is only superficial and only fools them further.

Anyone with a substance problem should steer clear from even “fun” gambling. I’m nearly 2 years sober but still my alcoholic thinking clouds my work at times, fortunately sobriety means I can recognise that.

Finally anyone with an active substance problem should run a mile from any gambling product - it’s utter madness and will only hasten and deepen the bottom when it is inevitably hit.

Newbeginning421

I mostly grind low mid stakes cash on Ignition, while the games are much tougher these days I am a winner and have put years of studying into the game. Do you do professional sports? As I know that is extremely hard to make a living at. But yeah I know many people in poker who have thrown away endless in the pit when drinking and - ev games. It is rare for me to be playing poker drunk but just betting random sports is not, Kind of justified it by every game is pretty much a flip as NFL lines are so sharp so losing about half the vig which doesn't seem so bad but really starts to add up.

Poker actually often gets me to stay sober and have been very lately and find poker extremely boring ….