As the NFL season starts to come to a close, it gives people time to reflect on a lot of things. One of them is quitting gambling if you're not into betting basketball or hockey. Baseball season hasn't started yet, but I never bet baseball anyways.
I started betting in 2003 and quit after the 2012 NFL season. During a 7 year period in the middle, I was betting everything possible. I would spend all day and all night researching games, tracking every score, betting every game on the board.
I was a complete action junkie. My absolute favorite thing to do was come home after a long week at work, and put a chunk of my paycheck on the Friday night CFB game.
First thing Saturday morning I couldn't contain myself waiting for 1 PM games. By 5 AM I was already waking up and trying to find the next thing on the board to bet on. Whether it be Filipino basketball, tennis single game live betting, or soccer I was betting it. I also can't forget the 5 hour online casino sessions that would rob me blind of my gambling profits on an a constant basis.
So I've experienced the extreme highs and lows of gambling life. Won 15k parlays multiple times. Had 70k parlays miss by 1 game. Won and lost 10k straight bets. I lost every penny I ever made in my life during that span (probably around $200k).
I quit after the 2012 NFL season. I was 28 years old, in credit card debt, and didn't want to be a broke 30 year old bum with no wife, no friends, and no future.
From all those highs and lows I learned to be numb over wins and losses and not show too much emotion. It'll stress you out and give you a heart attack if you don't.
During that time I was an extreme loner and shut most people out of my life except for a couple of gambling buddies. Because of gambling, I've become extremely monotone and unexcitable during regular everyday life events. Nothing gives me the thrill of watching a sporting event that I've got a decent amount of money on. I've become awkward and uncomfortable in social situations as well.
I don't bet anything anymore, avoid casinos at all costs, and try to minimize on watching sports because it's so boring if you don't have any money on it.
How do I get back to being normal again? How long after quitting does it take? Or has gambling left a permanent mental scar that I'll never be able to get rid of?
I want to be able to get excited about normal things again. I also want to get back some of that confidence I lost after being scum and not being able to look myself in the mirror for a decade.
I hit the gym during spring and summer months. I do feel a little better about myself, but that doesn't help much with the mental side of things.
Serious responses only please. Thanks.