The 1% in Recovery Successful Gamblers & Alcoholics Stopping Addiction

Hugo V
  • 5.0 (87)
  • Mental Health
  • Biweekly Series

Stopping Gambling and Alcohol Addiction!! Gambling Addiction is the new epidemic. Learn with a Recovery Expert, Hugo V and his knowledgeable Guests. Successful Gamblers & Alcoholics Stopping Addiction. Become The 1% in Recovery and Achieve Total Freedom. This podcast talks about recovery, healing, working The Steps, gambling, drugs, alcohol, and emotional intelligence. We solve the emotional disease of addiction. Your EQ is Your IQ. Empowering People Through Self Awareness. Live Your Best Life!!

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  1. Episode 241

    Psychologist Michael Zhang Talks Prediction Markets vs Sports Betting, Adolescent Brain

    Text and Be Heard Prediction markets are having a moment, and they’re being pitched as smarter than gambling. The problem is that the brain doesn’t always care what you call it. When the interface looks like trading and the language sounds like forecasting, it can quietly lower your guard while the risk, volatility, and urge cycle stay fully intact. We sit down with psychologist Dr. Michael Zhang to unpack why prediction markets can hook people differently than sportsbooks. He lays out a sharp framework: prediction markets don’t remove gambling, they repackage it by bundling four systems at once. You still pay structural costs through fees and spreads, you still ride crowd-driven price shifts, you still face casino-style uncertainty, and you also inherit poker-like dynamics where you’re effectively playing other participants and battling information asymmetry. That mix can feel analytical and “earned,” which makes chasing losses easier to justify. Then we look at what’s happening to young men as sports betting, micro-betting, and prediction markets get normalized through group chats, fantasy leagues, and everyday sports culture. Wins get posted, losses get hidden, and harm grows in private. We also talk solutions you can use right now: start with honesty, tell one person, and add real friction through blockers, self-exclusion, and tools designed for the moment an urge hits. Dr. Zhang shares how his guided recovery app, Incumental, aims to provide that in-the-moment support so recovery isn’t limited to a single hour of therapy a week. If you care about gambling addiction recovery, behavioral health, and the future of “investing-like” wagering, listen, share this with someone who needs it, and subscribe and leave a review so more people can find the help sooner. Support the show Recovery is Beautiful.    Go Live Your Best Life!! Facebook Group - Recovery Freedom Circle | Facebook Your EQ is Your IQ YouTube -    Life Is Wonderful   Hugo V Recovery Freedom Circle The System That Understands Recovery, Builds Character  and Helps People Have Better Relationships. A Life Changing Solution, Saves You Time, 18 weeks www.lifeiswonderful.love   Instagram -  Lifeiswonderful.Love TikTok -  Lifeiswonderful.Love Pinterest -   Lifeiswonderful.Love X -     LifeWonderLove LinkedIn -   Hugo Vrsalovic     LinkedIn -   The 1% in Recovery

    41 min

  2. Episode 242

    The Dream World of the Gambler. They Don't Live in Reality.

    Text and Be Heard Support the show Recovery is Beautiful.    Go Live Your Best Life!! Facebook Group - Recovery Freedom Circle | Facebook Your EQ is Your IQ YouTube -    Life Is Wonderful   Hugo V Recovery Freedom Circle The System That Understands Recovery, Builds Character  and Helps People Have Better Relationships. A Life Changing Solution, Saves You Time, 18 weeks www.lifeiswonderful.love   Instagram -  Lifeiswonderful.Love TikTok -  Lifeiswonderful.Love Pinterest -   Lifeiswonderful.Love X -     LifeWonderLove LinkedIn -   Hugo Vrsalovic     LinkedIn -   The 1% in Recovery

    9 min

  3. Episode 243

    Gambling Is Gambling - Forget What Prediction Markets or Sports Apps Call It

    Text and Be Heard Gambling keeps evolving its wardrobe, but it never changes its goal: separate you from your money. We talk straight about prediction markets, sports betting apps, and the question people dodge the most: what is gambling when platforms call it “contracts,” “trades,” or “just entertainment”? We break down why the label doesn’t protect you when the system is designed for the player to lose. We also dig into the numbers and the business model. When a platform can have millions of active accounts and only a tiny fraction are profitable, that’s not a meritocracy, it’s a funnel. Then we zoom out to the modern betting landscape: micro bets, in-game betting, and cash-out prompts that push you to make fast emotional decisions. Add the growing firehose of real-time sports data sold to data companies and partners, and the odds get tighter, which makes a long-term edge even harder to find. The hardest part is what happens next: the cycle of hope, small wins, near wins, and financial pain that keeps people chasing. We share a clear message for anyone struggling with gambling addiction recovery: white-knuckling it alone usually fails. Treatment, therapy, 12-step support, and experienced recovery coaching can help you change patterns, rebuild character, and get your life back. If this hits close to home, listen, share it with someone who needs it, and subscribe for more honest recovery conversations. After you listen, will you leave a review and tell us what part landed for you? Support the show Recovery is Beautiful.    Go Live Your Best Life!! Facebook Group - Recovery Freedom Circle | Facebook Your EQ is Your IQ YouTube -    Life Is Wonderful   Hugo V Recovery Freedom Circle The System That Understands Recovery, Builds Character  and Helps People Have Better Relationships. A Life Changing Solution, Saves You Time, 18 weeks www.lifeiswonderful.love   Instagram -  Lifeiswonderful.Love TikTok -  Lifeiswonderful.Love Pinterest -   Lifeiswonderful.Love X -     LifeWonderLove LinkedIn -   Hugo Vrsalovic     LinkedIn -   The 1% in Recovery

    10 min

  4. Episode 244

    Slots and Parlays: The Two Bets Designed To Beat You

    Text and Be Heard The gambling industry has two products that print money for the house, and we’re naming them plainly: slots and parlays. If you’ve ever felt that pull of “just one more spin” or the rush of turning $20 into $1,000, this conversation puts the psychology and the math side by side so you can see what’s really happening. We start with slot machines, from physical casino floors to video slots to mobile casino apps. The key point is simple and brutal: you’re playing against a computer, and it’s programmed with a built-in house edge. When a slot is designed to pay back between 85 to 93 cents for every dollar wagered over time, the long-run direction is clear. Wins can happen, but the system is built to keep you cycling bets until you drift back toward zero, especially if you don’t stop when you’re ahead. Then we move to sports betting parlays, a favorite trap for younger bettors. Parlays flash huge payouts and make it easy to say “it’s only $20,” but stacking legs multiplies your chance of losing. We talk about how the “lost by one leg” heartbreak fuels more bets, even though the ticket still cashes as a loss, and why that near-win feeling is such effective bait for sportsbooks. If you want a cleaner relationship with gambling, this is your reset button. Listen, share it with a friend who’s always chasing a parlay, and subscribe and leave a review if you want more straight-talk breakdowns like this. Support the show Recovery is Beautiful.    Go Live Your Best Life!! Facebook Group - Recovery Freedom Circle | Facebook Your EQ is Your IQ YouTube -    Life Is Wonderful   Hugo V Recovery Freedom Circle The System That Understands Recovery, Builds Character  and Helps People Have Better Relationships. A Life Changing Solution, Saves You Time, 18 weeks www.lifeiswonderful.love   Instagram -  Lifeiswonderful.Love TikTok -  Lifeiswonderful.Love Pinterest -   Lifeiswonderful.Love X -     LifeWonderLove LinkedIn -   Hugo Vrsalovic     LinkedIn -   The 1% in Recovery

    3 min

  5. Episode 245

    Three Tips To Stop Gambling

    Text and Be Heard You can feel totally alone in gambling addiction, even when you are surrounded by people. We get blunt about a truth that snaps the fantasy: most gamblers lose, and the house is not your friend. That is not meant to shame you. It is meant to wake you up and remind you that you are not uniquely broken, you are caught in a common trap that steals attention, money, and peace of mind. We walk through three practical steps to stop gambling that you can start today. First, we push for honesty about desire: do you actually want to quit, and how much space is gambling taking up in your head. Second, we talk about the hidden fuel behind compulsive gambling and problem gambling: low self-esteem and relentless negative self-talk. We share a simple practice that sounds small but can be powerful with repetition, “I am” statements like “I am strong” and “I deserve recovery,” because words shape identity and identity shapes choices. Then we get tactical with a recovery plan built around structure and connection. We describe filling out a daily schedule that replaces gambling time with real life: work hours, the gym, a run, family time, hobbies, therapy, church, and 12-step meetings. We also emphasize socializing and bonding, including the science-backed calm that can come from a long hug and the oxytocin that helps you feel connected again. If you want a clear starting point for quitting gambling and building a routine that holds, hit play, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find the help. Support the show Recovery is Beautiful.    Go Live Your Best Life!! Facebook Group - Recovery Freedom Circle | Facebook Your EQ is Your IQ YouTube -    Life Is Wonderful   Hugo V Recovery Freedom Circle The System That Understands Recovery, Builds Character  and Helps People Have Better Relationships. A Life Changing Solution, Saves You Time, 18 weeks www.lifeiswonderful.love   Instagram -  Lifeiswonderful.Love TikTok -  Lifeiswonderful.Love Pinterest -   Lifeiswonderful.Love X -     LifeWonderLove LinkedIn -   Hugo Vrsalovic     LinkedIn -   The 1% in Recovery

    4 min

  6. Episode 246

    Three Tips to Staying Stopped with Gambling, Addiction

    Text and Be Heard Staying stopped is the elusive question, and we go straight at it: lots of people can quit for a stretch, but lasting recovery takes a foundation that doesn’t crack the moment life gets stressful. We talk about why “white-knuckling it” fades, why fear-based thinking keeps you stuck, and what actually helps you live with real peace instead of constant anxiety.\n\nWe break down three pillars that shape how you live day to day: character, emotional intelligence, and spiritual foundation. Character means getting clear on what you believe in and who you want to be, values like honesty, hope, courage, and discipline. Emotional intelligence means knowing what you feel in real time and being able to say it out loud so you can choose a healthy response. Spiritual grounding means connecting to God or a higher power, paying attention to who’s in your circle, and letting support and meaning do their work.\n\nWe also connect recovery to the practical parts of life that keep you steady: relationships, mental health, physical health, finances, and goals you can act on today. When you know who you are and where you’re going, distractions and detours get easier to spot and easier to correct.\n\nIf you want a clearer relapse prevention plan and a stronger sobriety mindset, listen now, share this with someone who needs it, and subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next. After you listen, what’s one value you want to lead with this week? Support the show Recovery is Beautiful.    Go Live Your Best Life!! Facebook Group - Recovery Freedom Circle | Facebook Your EQ is Your IQ YouTube -    Life Is Wonderful   Hugo V Recovery Freedom Circle The System That Understands Recovery, Builds Character  and Helps People Have Better Relationships. A Life Changing Solution, Saves You Time, 18 weeks www.lifeiswonderful.love   Instagram -  Lifeiswonderful.Love TikTok -  Lifeiswonderful.Love Pinterest -   Lifeiswonderful.Love X -     LifeWonderLove LinkedIn -   Hugo Vrsalovic     LinkedIn -   The 1% in Recovery

    9 min

  7. Episode 247

    Live from Holy Name Retreat Center: Why Recovery Retreats Work

    Text and Be Heard We’re recording live from Holy Name retreat center in Houston, Texas, surrounded by people doing the work at a 12-step retreat for compulsive gamblers. There’s something powerful about stepping out of your normal routine for a focused Friday-to-Sunday reset: fewer distractions, more honesty, and enough quiet space to hear yourself think. But what really changes people is not the schedule or the setting. It’s the willingness to sit down, talk to others, and finally move forward on the steps instead of circling the same problems for another year.  We dig into what makes recovery retreats effective, especially the blend of structured step sessions and real fellowship. Over shared meals and long stretches of unhurried time, people open up, compare notes on where they are in the 12 steps, and find the courage to finish what they started. We also talk about why retreats are about more than spiritual growth. Emotional growth is the engine of lasting change, and that means facing the parts we’d rather avoid: inventory, amends, character patterns, resentment, stubbornness, and the beliefs we hold about a Higher Power.  A big theme is brain change and emotional sobriety. Addiction recovery isn’t solved by willpower or “thinking harder” because you can’t out think an emotional issue. We connect the dots between neuroplasticity and daily practices that support healthier chemistry over time like natural dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin through connection, joy, and consistent action. If you’ve been craving a clearer next step, we also point to the Recovery Growth Scorecard as a free tool to help you start tracking real growth.  If this resonates, subscribe to 1% In Recovery, share the episode with someone who needs hope, and leave a quick review so more people can find the message. What’s one piece of emotional work you know you need to face next? Support the show Recovery is Beautiful.    Go Live Your Best Life!! Facebook Group - Recovery Freedom Circle | Facebook Your EQ is Your IQ YouTube -    Life Is Wonderful   Hugo V Recovery Freedom Circle The System That Understands Recovery, Builds Character  and Helps People Have Better Relationships. A Life Changing Solution, Saves You Time, 18 weeks www.lifeiswonderful.love   Instagram -  Lifeiswonderful.Love TikTok -  Lifeiswonderful.Love Pinterest -   Lifeiswonderful.Love X -     LifeWonderLove LinkedIn -   Hugo Vrsalovic     LinkedIn -   The 1% in Recovery

    5 min

  8. Episode 248

    Gambling Englishman Daniel living in Australia Talks Pokies And Purpose

    Text and Be Heard Pokies in a “VIP room,” betting screens on every wall, and a machine that lets you place fixed-odds bets without leaving the bar. Australia’s gambling environment can feel like the casino came to you, and that’s where our conversation with Daniel goes deep fast. Daniel grew up in Liverpool, moved to Australia, and now has over four years free from gambling. He breaks down how slot machines and sports betting are designed for speed, why that speed fuels compulsive gambling, and how easy access turns a normal night out into a relapse risk. We also get personal about what changes when you stop chasing the next win. Daniel talks about trading the old gambler’s obsession for purpose: being a present dad to his two young daughters and a supportive husband, even on hard days. We unpack why chasing “happiness” can set you up to feel empty, while chasing contentment and emotional intelligence gives you something you can live with every day. If you’ve ever felt like you “can’t outthink” the urge, you’ll recognize what’s really happening and why willpower alone isn’t a plan. Then we get practical with relapse prevention and early recovery tips: reduce exposure, use self-exclusion, add gambling blocking software, stop carrying cash, and most importantly, tell your people the truth. Daniel shares real moments where friends stopped him from “just one small bet,” protecting him when alcohol and impulse tried to take over. If you want less stress, fewer secrets, and more peace, hit play, subscribe for more recovery conversations, and share this with someone who needs a way out. Could you text one trusted person today and tell them what you’re working on? Support the show Recovery is Beautiful.    Go Live Your Best Life!! Facebook Group - Recovery Freedom Circle | Facebook Your EQ is Your IQ YouTube -    Life Is Wonderful   Hugo V Recovery Freedom Circle The System That Understands Recovery, Builds Character  and Helps People Have Better Relationships. A Life Changing Solution, Saves You Time, 18 weeks www.lifeiswonderful.love   Instagram -  Lifeiswonderful.Love TikTok -  Lifeiswonderful.Love Pinterest -   Lifeiswonderful.Love X -     LifeWonderLove LinkedIn -   Hugo Vrsalovic     LinkedIn -   The 1% in Recovery

    29 min
See All Season 9 (8)

5
out of 5
87 Ratings

About

Stopping Gambling and Alcohol Addiction!! Gambling Addiction is the new epidemic. Learn with a Recovery Expert, Hugo V and his knowledgeable Guests. Successful Gamblers & Alcoholics Stopping Addiction. Become The 1% in Recovery and Achieve Total Freedom. This podcast talks about recovery, healing, working The Steps, gambling, drugs, alcohol, and emotional intelligence. We solve the emotional disease of addiction. Your EQ is Your IQ. Empowering People Through Self Awareness. Live Your Best Life!!

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