[Bee123]

Well, I have decided to have another go at ridding myself of the awful addiction that is gambling.

I have been on this site before and received some great advice but, sadly have never been able to stop completely. 

I wanted to come back here now as I will have a lot of money going into my bank over the next couple of weeks and really don’t want to give it away to any casinos. I am desperately trying to self exclude from all the online casinos but, there are so many and new ones seem to open up every week, hopefully the new Gamstop national self exclusion will be in place very soon.

My vice is playing slot machines, I have gone from land based casinos to slot machines in bookies to the absolute worst online casinos…..I say the worst as you can play them 24-7, which I have done many a time, playing until I literally am Ill from staring at a screen, pressing a button, not eating, not sleeping until I run out of money.

I have managed to cut down on how often I play but, my actions are the same every single time. Last time I came to this site I was really in despair and never want to go there again but I know if I continue that is what will happen. I have a lot of good thing’s planned this year and really cannot afford to f@$& up.

Today is day 2 for me so onwards and upwards

I

[Bee123]

Thanks Sara for your reply, I have a savings account that has a card just for withdrawing cash but, many a time I have transferred money into it, only to get the gambling bug and go into the bank and put it back into my current account (oh the joys). It doesn’t really help with having the bank right on my doorstep. Steely determination is going to be required I think.

I have a couple of short trips away planned this year and a trip to USA later in the year that I am so looking forward to, really don’t want to mess up. Hopefully using this site and coming up with a way to keep my money out of harms way will ensure all goes to plan.

I know exactly what you mean when you say how quickly your mind set can change when trying to stop gambling, one minute so determined to stop, to the next depositing in a damned casino. I hate, hate, hate having this addiction.

Today is going really well anyway, no urges thank goodness!!

[Callmecrazy]

Don’t give your money to the casino. The slot machines are an escape but they are bandits. There is nothing you can win there.

You’re paying them big money to sing and that’s all. You can shove hundreds down those suckers and they won’t give you a single bonus round. If by some chance you do get a bonus round, the amount you win is 6.00 $ after literally spending hundreds.

And the more you shove down them, the less you get. It’s happened to me hundreds of times. The person that invented them should be jailed.

[Bee123]

Callmecrazy, couldn’t agree more, the machines are designed to draw you in and take all your money, all the near misses making you think you’re going to win big any minute. Saying that, even though I know what’s happening I continue to do the same thing over and over.

I know I can never win at gambling as even when I win I hardly ever collect and even when I do it goes back eventually.

Well, today’s another day, no urges yet but I know that can change like the flick of a switch. I’m ready and waiting to see off any urges that may occur today!!

[velvet]

Hello Bee, and thanks for starting a thread in the Gambling Therapy forums

Here at Gambling Therapy we pride ourselves on being a caring and diverse online community who can help and support you with the difficulties you’re currently facing. We understand that this might be a tough time for you, particularly if you’re new to recovery, so come here as often as you need to and participate in the forums, access online groups and connect to the live advice helpline if you need one to one support. We’re in this together!

Here on the forum you can share your experiences in a safe, supportive and accepting environment. The beauty of writing it all down is that you can take your time and you will be creating a record of your progress that you can look back on if it ever feels like you’re not moving forward. So, share as much or as little as you like but do try to stick to keeping just one thread in this forum so people know where to find you if they want to be updated on your progress or share something with you.

As well as the forums New Members are invited to join Charles in the New Members Practical Advice Group On Mondays at 21:00 (UK) and Thursday at 19:00(UK)

And on that note….

I’m going to hand you over to our community because I’m sure they will have some words of wisdom for you 🙂

Take care

The Gambling Therapy Team

PS: Let me just remind you to take a look at our privacy policy and terms and conditions so you know how it all works!

[Bee123]

Money went into my bank account overnight so just transferred it to an account that I don’t have online banking for. This account has only a cashpoint card which I am giving to my daughter later, as I have a habit of withdrawing the cash and putting it back in current account as soon as I get an urge to gamble.
I feel really strong and determined this time around to kick this addiction to the kerb, I am sick to death of letting it control my life.

[Callmecrazy]

Good job Bee!

Remember, slot machines will suck you dry. If you place just one small bet (because it can’t hurt!) and loose you might be able to control yourself for today, but tomorrow you will be back for another small bet. Then for another and another. Your brain might trick you that you’re in control, but you aren’t. Eventually you will get sick of loosing and start to play bigger and harder. You will be sucked dry. And this is the better outcome!

On the other hand, if you place just one small bet (because it can’t hurt!) and happen to win you will get a rush of dopamine so strong, you will be hooked immediately. You will continue playing, get a sense of omnipotence, love it and once your winnings are dryed up, you will be slammed back to earth and in shock. You will start regretting that you  lost your winnings. You won’t be able to relax or sleep until you have another go at reclaiming them.  Hence, the chase will start. You will chase hard and once you’ve gone through your money, you’re going to start chasing on debt money. This will happen so fast, you won’t know what took you. 

You will be drained, exhausted and an emotional mess of guilt, anger and shame . There is really no way for you to win.

The only time you win is when you don’t make the first bet and have all your barriers in place and the temptation is not running your life.

[Author]

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