How to have a better attitude towards gambling?

Sounds like your break hasn't been long enough.

YOU SHOULD NOT GAMBLE... YOU SHOULD NOT GAMBLE... YOU SHOULD NOT GAMBLE Clearly you have a compulsive personality and gambling excites you in a way that you can not control. Do not wonder why, do not wonder how just DO NOT GAMBLE!

Gambling is not bad

You have some good answers here. But as far as I'm concerned you can consider yourself blessed. You have identified what losing $5.00 does to you. You spend nice amounts on eating out and clothing. Problem gamblers don't spend $500.00 on a pair of britches. That's one afternoon at the track or a "short spell" at the casino. Compulsive gamblers "mind Fk' themselves into thinking how to get their hands on another 50 bucks and everything will be OK. I have been reading your posts for a while now.. And this is the first real "reality check" one I have seen from you.

Here's my advice. You can take it or leave it. Stay away from gambling altogether. Yes, it can be a lot of fun when you win, but in the long run you lose and that's just the pits. You sound like you have a gambling addiction but you're trying to fight it and stay away. Talk to your family and friends. Talk to some folks at Gamblers Anonymous and tell them your thoughts. They'll help you develop a healthy attitude. Ask your friends for some moral support. That pride and thrill you seek from gambling is actually a thrill at winning money. You can get that thrill other places. Find a hobby that you can use to earn money on the side or at least something fun you can do to occupy your free time so you're not constantly obsessing over gambling. If you're buying $500 jeans then it sounds like you have money. You have a very comfortable lifestyle. Don't destroy it with gambling. Instead, take the money that you'd use at the casino and use it to do some good. It can be to help out a stranger or a close friend or relative. You'll get that same rush of pride and good feelings that you did when you gambled, but this time you'll know the money was used well.

By your question, it is obvious you have a problem. Don't do it. You might never be able to. Speak to a gambling councellor. Seriously. Some people just have this "thing" and I don't know how you handle it. Some have it with alcohol or something else. If you feed it, it will get worse. Pleae get some professional assistance. Please. I've seen how bad these things get and you sound ready to relapse. Be tough. One day at a time. You have to find alternatives. Seriously. You are are serious risk. Print your question and give it to your doctor.

"I also don't really enjoy it at all any more because I screwed on my reality cap that they want you to lose." Bingo! But then you say: "I would really like to start gambling again though..." "...when I lose $5 on gambling I feel cheated...how can I develop a healthy attitude towards it." WHY? Why would you WANT to enjoy losing, or for it to feel "healthy"? Right now, your fear and dislike of losing is keeping you from losing! And guess what: the reason you feel cheated when you lose is because you basically ARE cheated...by definition, the games are unfair (rigged against you). "I also want to get back into the intellectual side and start reading about it again." Lol @ "intellectual side". What's so intellectual about making sucker bets? "...it is a form of entertainment that is considered slightly risque." So you wanna blow a bunch of money so you can feel cool? And how long will the "risque" feeling last...a few hours til you're broke and have to go home feeling miserable? If you blow the money on other vain things like watches, cars etc, at least you can keep wearing the watch or driving the car. Whereas when you gamble it's only temporary entertainment, once you lose that's it, there's no trace of the money you lost except the sh*tty feeling of having pissed away your money.

Wow were do I begin -- "I also don't really enjoy it at all any more because I screwed on my reality cap that they want you to lose" Agreed -- I dont understand the thrill of playing a game knowing that you cant win in the long run.. "I also want to get back into the intellectual side and start reading about it again" With the expection of poker ( and there are hundreds of book and articles about poker) there is nothing intellectual about gambling -- all the books can tell you is how much you are expected to lose.. "Why is it that you get that feeling from gambling, why is it that you can waste $5 on anything else that is not gambling and not really care that you lost it" Actually most people have the oppostie feeling - because when they are playing with casino chip they forget its real money ". When you lose $5 in gambling though, you feel cheated? " Has it occured to you that maybe you are getting cheated -- you know you can't win in the long run. "I dunno, how can I develop a healthy attitude towards it" Play poker -- seriously its the only form of gambling were you can actually win -- although in your case if you dont control you emotions and pratice good bankroll management you will still lose money.

Just set a line for yourself, a total amount that you will spend weather you dont win a cent or win a million dollars, and tell yourself that gambling is just a game for entertainment and is not a practical way to gain money, so when you reach that line you wont feel the need to cross it out of frustration from a loss or over confidence from a "good run" that can turn sour.