So far I would say I have been more reliant on my old gambling skills and strategies seeing that I no longer have friends that are generous enough to share betting codes and give updates on new strategies to gamble with, so I want to know how successful in your gambling activities you have been so far if you compare;
a. Gambling with help of friends and associates who share codes and betting strategies, versus,
b. Gambling alone depending on pure wits, knowledge and personal developed strategies?
As far as gambling goes, in my experience, most of the time relationships distract you from gambling the way you usually like to. Although I am not a strong believer in strategies or anything like that. But at the same time, I think having friends and family relationships is very important to keep yourself distracted by other things than gambling. Being alone makes you lonely and bored and you tend to gamble more often in such a state. That might be a dangerous path to a silent addiction. Also, having the wrong friends can have a detrimental effect. So choose the people you surround yourself with carefully.
I think relationships can help and hurt gambling at the same time. Friends might give tips or share advice, but they can also pressure you to bet more. Being alone can make you bored and gamble more just to feel something.
It's best to have support from people who want you to stay in control.