General Forum

Dude I totally get this and I sometimes wonder the same thing. Openings packs gives a thrill, hitting big even more and any gambling aspect (such as random team breaks) even push that thrill level further up. Not to mention going for hits in high end products. Hitting nothing just wants you keep going for more. Hitting big is usually just a very brief 'shot' of joy.

I'm not a professional able to offer help unfortunately. Addictive tendencies originate from the brain and only professionals can treat this. However: I think as long as you are aware of what your are doing and acknowledgeing that you might develop or have a problem, that is already a huge plus. Many people don't have that self awareness. I know this all too well from people around me (some even died!). I too have addictive tendencies but I've been very radical with them: kicked out alcohol from my life, never smoked nor did any drugs, stopped sports betting (betting live on random stuff is even worse, don't do it!), stopped going to casinos even though I was succesful at playing poker live and online...I needed faster and more action (like sidebets when not in the hand). Not good for me even though I was often winning, so I stopped entirely to prevent things from 'going south'.

Now I only allow myself cards. I do spend a lot sometimes but I can afford it and know my limits. What may help is focus on what you have. Sorting cards can be therapeutical! It works for me. So does scanning cards and using a photo editing program to maximize the quality. Grab a stack of cards and actually read the backs. Look up the player you don't know so much about and find out about their (often) cool backgrounds and stats. Gives you a ton of knowledge and distraction without spending a dime. I film my card openings now and also just started to make parody videos about sports cards to ridicule mainly my own behavior. Editing the videos keeps my mind away from negative things.

BUT: this does not take the true origins of your life stress away. You will need to learn how to deal with that and I'm sure once you do, your self awareness can help you prevent from drifting off to the wrong places. Things like excercise also help.

Thanks for bringing this up! I'm sure many of us can relate!

What I meant is that I have a limit set. Of course I go over that limit. We all probably do. But I know that it will help especially once you keep to that limit as you will eventually realize that it is helping and want to keep it that way. It may not help you, but I do know for me it has indeed worked so far. I also know that when others are in your situation and going through tough times they do the same thing you are doing. That's just how I go about it and I hope it all works out with you.

I think what stilsleepin said bears repeating: "No idea if this is the case for you, I've just noticed that when I'm experiencing stress, I tend to go overboard on my hobbies and find it more difficult to moderate my activity."

Amen to that. Stress is real, people. Take a little time to reflect and see if you can think of some stresses you are trying to soothe or some things you are trying to avoid. Also, don't be too hard on yourself. Sounds like you didn't blow crazy amounts of money, so take a step back and take a deep breath. Just be honest with yourself and say to yourself, "Hey, I got a little caught up in the thrill and wasted a hundred bucks (or two). It's not the end of the world, but I don't like the way I feel about it now and I need to remember that in the future." 

For myself, I also find that "out of sight, out of mind" holds true. When I have a lot of cards out where I can see them, they get a lot of my headspace. Try getting them out from in front of your face and it may help relieve some of that artificial urgency to buy/hunt more. 

In response to ericidol1984:

I don't want to start anything here, but just attacking TwinKiller with "don't believe this" has absolutely not effect. He has an opinion, is entitled to it, and is free to share it. He helps this site and clearly has a well-reasoned, well-thought out opinion in this matter. You don't have to agree, disagreement is natural in life, and you can post a dissenting opinion, but don't just respond with "don't believe this". That's not debate, that's just gainsaying. If you have well thought out reasoning, I'd be glad to hear it in the spirit of debate, but please don't just waste our precious time with gainsaying. A lot of members, myself included, come on here to relax, that has been brought up repeatedly in this thread, and this is simply creating a toxic environment (which I may well be contributing to, now that I think about it ). This is especially harmful in this thread where people are actually offering advice to other individuals in a type of camaraderie rarely seen online anymore. These are people's lives we are talking about, and automatically gainsaying and attacking a dissenting opinion automatically, especially twice, once in reply to his post and once right after his post, is not necessary nor is it in any way helpful.

Thank You.

-curling2019

Thank you, curling... I hope people replying will remembwr that the OP said "Im not joking". This is serious to this person so keep it serious or dont post please.

If you think about it the solution is a simple one.  Card collecting is a hobby.  To my knowledge cards aren't free.  So you're gonna waste money on this hobby.  If one does not wish to waste money on it then find a different hobby.  Problem solved.  

As a recovering drug addict and alcoholic in long term recovery, I think you are okay.  You are concerned about it and are willing to talk to others.  If you truelly had a problem, that is the last thing you would do.  Set yourself a limit and stick to it. 

Dude , You missed the point .Im just kidding . Im just having fun . Of course you guys are members. Im sorry if I offended anybody.I every now and then may poke fun at your post. Dont get in a ball about it.

Ron no this is not serious . Im sorry if I take this in fun. The dude spends a lot of cash on cards. Yep I also do that and drinlk and gamble . Live it up lets not apolologize for everthing we do . We are just having fun and not hurting other people. I would never hurt anybody. If I go down the draian ill go alone.

You need to stop posting on this thread. Stick to wrestling. Thats fun. If someone says they want help they are not asking for a clown.