Hi Mike,
Glad you decided not to visit the “mechanical pick pockets” today.
Part of the problem with gambling is that it becomes habitual. We could almost do it in our sleep. Often when I come to certain exits when driving, I feel myself automatically moving the indicator to swing for an exit that would lead to an old haunt. Or hearing certain songs (Driving home for Christmas is a biggie!) that were played in “my” casino creates the lure. Even seeing car registrations or having flashbacks to “wins” seems to enforce the habit.
Apart from setting up all the well known barriers and limits, we also have to develop alternative habits., for example walk a different route to work or to college. Deliberately leave your cash and cards at home. Fix your mind on what you intend to do for the next hour to prevent your thoughts drifting and on it goes until some day we will wake up and say, “hey, I never even thought of gambling today” or “it’s a week since I played those machines”. Bit by bit, we will find ourselves becoming less dependent on going to play. By that time , we will be in a better head space, and hopefully we will begin to see the benefits of not gambling. Our illusion needs to be shattered Mike but it takes time.
This year, which is coming to and end soon was a bad year for me. Looking back now I could have easily resisted 90% of the time. It was impulsivity and lack of discipline during 2015 that caused me to line the pockets of some low life casino owners ( Where I live the owners are “no gentlemen” to put it mildly) with a generous 5 figure sum. (sic) How I could use that money now, but as we well know Mike, people of our ilke will never walk away winning.
The only way is to go back to the drawing board. Draw a line under your losses. Strengthen your resolve and Begin again.
Cheers!
