Paul Merson and his gambling addiction

[UNDERHILL1927]

Re: Paul Merson and his gambling addiction

Gambling like any addiction is a form of self abuse and is clearly linked to mental ill health

Alcohol , gambling , drugs all go hand in hand

Oosh, can of worms there, not sure I agree that all people in active addiction have poor mental health.

[Eric Cartman]

Re: Paul Merson and his gambling addiction

As somebody who has over the past 10 years been at various points along the spectrum of retaining some control and being completely out of control, a lot is spoken about compulsive gambling that I agree with and a lot that I don't. I can stand the people who don't own it, it's the easy way out to latch onto the excuse that it's an illness and you can't do anything about it.
Now, that isn't to say that for compulsive gamblers there isn't a 24/7 haze that nips at you during every lonely or boring moment but when it comes to it, you still have that choice. It also isn't to say that at those crucial moments, every single part of your being is telling you that you should just fill your boring Saturday with some excitement or chase that loss from earlier in the day.
To me, it feels as though during that moment, part of my brain switches off. I make sense of data and numbers for people for a living and then I go home and quite often do something completely irrational with no logical basis.

[Eric Cartman]

Re: Paul Merson and his gambling addiction

Oosh, can of worms there, not sure I agree that all people in active addiction have poor mental health.

I think it is quite likely, from my experience it will be the ones who don't want to talk about it and are looking for an escape.

[UNDERHILL1927]

Re: Paul Merson and his gambling addiction

I think it is quite likely, from my experience it will be the ones who don't want to talk about it and are looking for an escape.

It's very likely for sure, wouldn't say there is always a clear link though.

I didn't start drinking or gambling due to mental health issues. The drinking and the gambling definitely caused mental health problems themselves though.

Anyway, my last thread about Guinness 0% went way off track and we could discuss this for years haha

[life on mars]

Re: Paul Merson and his gambling addiction

Sadly the game we follow is hugely connected to betting firms .

[NYCBlue]

Re: Paul Merson and his gambling addiction

It’s totally wrong.
Started over here massively now in States that have legalized sports books.

It's creeping in, but nothing like it is in the UK.

[NYCBlue]

Re: Paul Merson and his gambling addiction

Sadly the game we follow is hugely connected to betting firms .

I noticed the other day that our training kit is sponsored by Sport 888. Bookies should not be able to do business with sports teams that play in any organised league. And they shouldn't be allowed to have ambiguous names like "Sport 888". At least Bet365 state their purpose clearly.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Re: Paul Merson and his gambling addiction

I noticed the other day that our training kit is sponsored by Sport 888. Bookies should not be able to do business with sports teams that play in any organised league. And they shouldn't be allowed to have ambiguous names like "Sport 888". At least Bet365 state their purpose clearly.

The 888 component of 'Sport 888' is almost certainly due to the Chinese associating the number 8 with good fortune, particularly in the betting world.

[Rock_Flock_of_Five]

Re: Paul Merson and his gambling addiction

The 888 component of 'Sport 888' is almost certainly due to the Chinese associating the number 8 with good fortune, particularly in the betting world.

It is indeed!

[Rock_Flock_of_Five]

Re: Paul Merson and his gambling addiction

The betting ads are just wrong. I thank God that gambling has never interested me and never will but I do know that it’s tearing some families apart. It’s a terrible addiction without brakes, you drink too much you fall over, you take drugs you flake out eventually, gambling, you just look for more money to chase the losses. How there hasn’t been an outcry and a ban I’ll never know.........and the smug ‘celebs’ who are enticing mug punters need to have a good look at themselves, mercenary bastards!!

Both drinking excessively and an addiction to drugs can also come at a high financial cost. There was a time when the only thing that could put a temporary rein on my alcohol addiction was that I didn't have any more money left to buy alcohol.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Re: Paul Merson and his gambling addiction

The visual representation of Merson's brain and what stimulates it was fascinating - and educated those of us who have never fully appreciated what is involved regarding such conditions.

[Sunnysideup]

Re: Paul Merson and his gambling addiction

There’s no greater high than having your hard earned cash on a horse that wins 🐎💴
Casinos fortunately have never floated my boat and sitting around in stale smelling betting shops putting my change in those FOB machines or betting on virtual racing doesn’t interest me either.
I suppose it’s all down to the individuals mindset and not just walking away when you run out of money but knowing that when you’re lucks out it’s out.
Chasing your losses is a no no and having the willpower to walk away is difficult but should be done.
However I do sympathise with the addicted.
Glossy ads in print and the entertaining visual ads on TV - Paddy Powers adds with their comedy element softens the stark and dangerous realities that gambling effects can have on individuals and families.
A very good friend of mine confided in me three years ago that he was addicted to the FOB Roulette machines inside bookies shops - he’s married with three kids and a mortgage
Wracked up credit card debt and loans to pay for his addiction to the tune of sixty grand
Fortunately his wife forgave him and he’s turned the corner getting back on track financially but most importantly he says - he spoke to someone about the deep regret and shame that was gambling and the scourge that ripped him apart mentally and physically which nearly brought him to suicide.
If you are in a sorry situation my message would be always talk about your problem to someone that cares and will listen 👍

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Re: Paul Merson and his gambling addiction

There’s no greater high than having your hard earned cash on a horse that wins ����
Casinos fortunately have never floated my boat and sitting around in stale smelling betting shops putting my change in those FOB machines or betting on virtual racing doesn’t interest me either.
I suppose it’s all down to the individuals mindset and not just walking away when you run out of money but knowing that when you’re lucks out it’s out.
Chasing your losses is a no no and having the willpower to walk away is difficult but should be done.
However I do sympathise with the addicted.
Glossy ads in print and the entertaining visual ads on TV - Paddy Powers adds with their comedy element softens the stark and dangerous realities that gambling effects can have on individuals and families.
A very good friend of mine confided in me three years ago that he was addicted to the FOB Roulette machines inside bookies shops - he’s married with three kids and a mortgage
Wracked up credit card debt and loans to pay for his addiction to the tune of sixty grand
Fortunately his wife forgave him and he’s turned the corner getting back on track financially but most importantly he says - he spoke to someone about the deep regret and shame that was gambling and the scourge that ripped him apart mentally and physically which nearly brought him to suicide.
If you are in a sorry situation my message would be always talk about your problem to someone that cares and will listen ��

I take it that you are referring to those with a fondness for, or addiction to, gambling - as I imagine that most people would consider their highs coming from elsewhere.

[Sunnysideup]

Re: Paul Merson and his gambling addiction

I’m referring to the high or buzz you get from winning via the medium of gambling whereby you have wagered your hard earned money on an outcome.
I’ve never taken drugs so am unable to comment and alcohol has its high then dreadful low of a hangover the following day 🙁