Since companies like nairabet, merrybet and bet9ja entered naija, many youths have registered more losses than gains.


Gambling on soccer games has weighed me down for the past three years. I have the will to change so i won't give up. Below are some tips fellow addicts who want to change can adopt this year......

why not have a plan to be free from betting addiction

ChildOfDoom:
My name is steven paul (pseudonym) and i'm a bet addict. I started in 2015 and since then i've really harmed myself by gambling away valuables. I'm just like any other youth caught up with one addiction or the other.

In this holiday times where money is hard to come by, i've played away about 19,000 naira on bet9ja virtual and through booking games on my merrybet account. Hmm.. This has weighed me down. I have the will to change so i won't give up. Below are some tips fellow addicts who want to change can adopt......

1. Join pious groups
i'm the type that hangs out with people who are not serious with their faith and involve themselves often with sports gambling. Whenever we hang out, it's all about arranging games and staking to 'make it big.' This has polluted my thoughts. I'll try to reconnect with God and join religious groups that can help filter my thoughts. Hopefully, making new friends in church can help distract me. I can't even remember when last i prayed.

2. Lower my expectations
my expectations are very high. I see people flaunt wealth on social media and this makes me desperate to belong. This explains why i gamble heavy so i can quickly join the league of successful people. But the consequences have been adverse.

Also, problems have made me agitated. There are issues of school fees, rent, feeding and clothing that makes me desperate. But it is only after losing the little i have that i realise that a bird in hard is worth more than fifty in the bush. So i have to be contented.

3. Be more passionate about work
The passion to work has dropped amongst youths. Some young girls look to patronise men in order to get quick money. Boys no longer believe in handwork or learning a trade. We idle ourselves away with our phones punting or trying to swindle people.

Next year, i'll try to switch my dedication to my work. It's decent with meagre pay but at least, it can help me maintain my sanity and protect my life. It's people like me that act as teachers, typists or receptionists. They didn't die. They are surviving one way or the other. Success might only delay but will surely come.

4. Avoid scenarios that would take me back to the act
I had a retrospective reflection on some of the things I do that lures me back to the act. I have decided to stop it no matter how hard. One is to deactivate my online account. Second, stop charging phones at bet shops. This is an easy passport to gambling again. Third, stop being in a haste to hold money for people or be in any financial dealings with them. This ignites the gambling fire. I'll consider having my money being stored or kept for me in a cooperative society. Finally, drop my love for sports. It was my passion for sport that put me in this mess in the first place. So I have to find a new passion no matter how difficult this might be.

Cc.. Lalasticlala farano rocktation mynd44

5. Have some one to share your progress with
Making a resolution does not work effectively at times by keeping it to oneself. We might be tempted to go back to the act. So it's good we have someone to monitor our progress. It could be a friend, family member, relative or loved one. They should rate you on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. But if you fear reprimandment, let's help ourselves in a group and share. Join the link if you are interested. Motivators can also join to mentor us. It's well when there is life. https:///DvNUK2V3HEHCqCDjtQ3L1R

tripplephi:
why not have a plan to be free from betting addiction

that's what i'm trying to do sir.

[s]Winners never quit and quitters never win[/s]


Anyway if you want to stop, think about you would feel when you inevitably lose and try to recreate the feeling. The fear would make you not indulge.

Chronic gamblers chase the high that comes from anticipating winning and not the money as they erroneously think. Ergo, the trick is to use the fear of the low that engulfs you after you must have lost.

I wish you good fortune in your quest.

Change your damn moniker!

Feliz Navidad

Ranchhoddas:
[s]Winners never quit and quitters never win[/s]


Anyway if you want to stop, think about you would feel when you inevitably lose and try to recreate the feeling. The fear would make you not indulge.

Chronic gamblers chase the high that comes from anticipating winning and not the money as they erroneously think. Ergo, the trick is to use the fear of the low that engulfs you after you must have lost.

I wish you good fortune in your quest.

Change your damn moniker!

Feliz Navidad

nice thought. Most times i act before i think. I'll try to do the opposite next time