[hn72774]

I re-read my comment and did not pass any judgement then, nor now. I simply shared my experience.

If you are triggered by something I wrote, that's all on you. I get it, no one dealing with addiction wants to be called out on it. That is less than helpful for either party.

[zmgsabst]

> No one was going for any team in particular. They were cheering for their bets to win. I lost all interest in the idea of me ever gambling after this.

You’re negative here — and I think you know it.

> I get it, no one dealing with addiction wants to be called out on it.

Wowza, calling me “triggered” and an “addict” because I enjoy something differently than you and thought your comment was negative isn’t appropriate.

I think your response here confirms my initial impression that you have issues with this topic.

[hn72774]

"I" lost all interest. That's not a dig at them, or you. I've dealt with my own demons and am very comfortable differentiating between sharing my experience from the "I", and not drifting into giving unwanted advice.

I know myself, and I know if I gambled on my one sport where I follow one team, it would ruin the game for me. I would no longer watch for the intricacies of the game. I get worked up enough without the extra dopamine hits of gambling added into the mix. I hate the fact that half the advertisements are now for a product that ruins lives. My kids are being target with gambling ads when they watch with me.

These are still my old college roommates. Not good friends though. More like drinking buddies. And that's okay. I don't hop on airplanes to go see them anymore because I can get the same quality of interaction from our text message group. I'm at a place in life where I value deeper human connection, and its not there anymore.

That's all on me. I know plenty of people content to watch sports all weekend, with or without gambling. Good for them. It's just not my thing, and both perspectives can coexist just fine. One doesn't invalidate the other.

> You’re negative here — and I think you know it. > you have issues with this topic.

I absolutely have issues with this topic. It's a cancer on society, as the article confirms.

Some in people can gamble and not ruin their lives. Same with drinking. If you are one of those who can moderate in dopamine fueled areas of life, congrats. I can't, so I chose not to participate.