You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.
Plato
What do you like to do when you see a game being played? Some people participate, while others observe. In a game, players play mostly to win, but you can also learn about their character from how they play the game.
What I know about playing even a simple board game, is that it is easier to point out what’s wrong with another player’s moves than ours. Usually you think for someone to win, someone else must lose, because it is based on the zero-sum game. But all parties can win too, if we go with an attitude of not trying to beat each other, but to find the best solution for all so that we can build team work and relationships.
As early as the 1700s, economists and scientists have tried to analyze the behavior of those in a game and apply the findings to economics, mathematics and even the field of computer science. This is called Game Theory. So it is not surprising that Plato came up with such a quote about discovering about a person through a game.
But when does a game become a gamble? This is important because unknowingly most gambling addictions start off for fun, and then become toxic when the habit becomes obsessive. Don’t believe the lie that you can control it! If you’re struggling to be able to do anything else in your life, then it means you’re caught in an addiction. If you ever find yourself addicted to any form of gaming, please seek help to get out of it. That’s not what is good for you.
No addiction has any benefit for their victims. Sometimes, the victims don’t even realize that they’re in an addiction until it’s too late. Reality also appears confusing.
To get out of an addiction, first step is to admit that you have a problem. Don’t blame anyone, just acknowledge that you have an addiction. The second step is make a choice to leave the addiction. Decide in your heart and head, that you have had enough and you want out.
Don’t let yourself rationalize it away. Tell yourself to stop. Decide to do it. You don’t need to understand how to do it, you just have to decide that you don’t want this addiction any more. You may have had some fun with it for a little, while but now you feel empty.
You may have thought it’ll help you with your loneliness, but now you have a greater problem. If you’re in very difficult situation, please seek professional help. There are government agencies or charitable organizations that will be able to help you.
Don’t give up on yourself! You will recover if you seek help. It is not too late. But it is difficult to get out of any addiction on your own. So get help. Don’t waste your life.
Don’t wait. Refuse to allow your life or your families’ lives to be destroyed by your addiction. Even just playing computer games can get you addicted if you have not set limits for playing. Set boundaries for yourself so that you can enjoy them with a happy heart and clear conscience. Be strict about these boundaries; they are there to keep you safe from becoming obsessive about your hobbies.
Whatever you let yourself indulge in, set a limit because too much of anything is never good for you! Live for another day to tell about it. Pace yourself, that’s the best way to live.
Artist & Text: Anna G.
Lachlan's Story
As for me and my gambling, I probably always thought that I was a little bit different from other people. I’d be more than happy to spend hours and hours betting on horses and playing pokies.
I secretly knew I needed help, but I was ashamed of what I was doing. The stress and anxiety didn’t stop on a Sunday morning, it was constantly hanging over your head.
Reaching out to a counsellor, having someone that didn’t know my background that I could just be completely honest with; Young bloke growing up in a small country town, you don’t talk about your feelings, you don’t talk about what’s bothering you.
It really helped outside of the gambling as well. Once you start being open and honest with your communication, it just makes life so much easier.
I spent so much time not telling people what was going on, because I was worried about their reactions. And once I started to open up to people and let them know what was going on with me, I was amazed with the positivity and the amount of support I had from people.
It can be really daunting sharing your own story. I didn’t realize at the time how beneficial it was just to be able to verbalize what I was thinking and feeling.
By talking about it, you’re one step closer to getting the help that you need. So go do it!
