[alexaalex]

My name is Alexa and I am a slot machine addicted. It is said that the first step is to recognize that you have problems and I recognize but this does not help me much in quitting. All started about 3 years ago when I got divorced and a new person appeared in my life. 

First I was playing tiny stacks and I was happy whit any win. As my time does not permit me to go to casinos to often I have started to play online. I have won a big amount and here my problems started.

I have started to play using bigger bets and no win is enough to stop. I play until I lose all the money. I cannot tell my parents about my problem as they will be very disappointed and I am the only child and I already caused a lot of problems for them during my divorce. They also help me with my little 4 years daughter as his father become invisible to punish me regarding the family break. I want very badly to quit but when I have money I go straight to the casino as the online accounts are closed and there are no more sites available to create new accounts. I realize that if I continue like that I will lose all that I have build until now and I also do not want to transmit this addiction to my daughter. 

The person who took me to a casino for the first time is my current girlfriend and even if I realize that she is bad for me, I love her and I am afraid that I will remain alone if I break up the relation and I will find more comfort in playing. I have talked to her but she is a game addict too and has the same problem as me the difference is that he learned to control herself and play with tiny bets, but I cannot do it. 

Sometimes I think it gets easier if you talk with somebody, but I do not have with who to talk regarding this as my girlfriend has the same problem and the other friends have their own life. I do not have the necessary time to go to meetings or doctor as the little free time that I have I spend it with my daughter and I do not find it fair to cut from his time with me just because I have a problem. 

I know that there are no magic tricks to solve this kind of problems and I do not want to be a cry baby. I just want to try to talk about this addiction and I pray to have the necessary strength to quit.

[kathryn]

So happy to see you started a thread!
When we chatted earlier I mentioned changing your bank account so you have to go to the bank to withdraw money.
Its important to limit your access to money as much as you can. While I understand that you may be time poor for meetings etc, this addiction is very hard to overcome without the right support in place.
Perhaps try a GA meeting, you might be surprised how helpful it is.
When you think about it, how much time have you spent gambling? How much time has that taken away from your daughter? Not to mention the time spent thinking about gambling, how, when, where?
Its an all consuming addiction.
So, maybe taking a little time for you, to get your thinking straight, to put up barriers will change the QUALITY time spent with your little girl. She deserves it. And, my friend, so do YOU!!!!!
Its not easy, but you can live a gamble free life.
Keep reading and posting, be open to all the ideas given to you, I tried every single thing and for the most part…..it worked!!!!
You deserve happiness, its time to grab it with both hands. Gambling will only bring grief, and the longer you do it, the worse it will get.
So nice meeting you today Alexa,
I look forward to reading more…….
Love K xxxxx

[velvet]

Hello Alexaalex 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!

[alexaalex]

I have been to the bank today and opened a new account with restricted access, no internet banking, and no card attached.  For the moment I do not have any more money but this is a great idea as I will not be able to access the money and I will have some time to relax and not go to play. This was my first considerable step and I am sure it will really help me. I had spent a lot of nights playing, no sleep even 72 hours as I was filling guilty in the morning that instead of playing with my daughter I have to sleep because I have lost the auto control. This is bad for the physical and mental health.

I am opened to new ideas I will do all the possible to stay clean. 

I am very glad to see that people that do not know me can use the personal time to help me with good pieces of advice.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart :*

[alexaalex]

Thank you very much for your good advices. I will come back here and I will write down anytime as you are very supportive. I have participated in the meeting groups last night and I hope I will be online this night also, as I am at the office and I do not know how much work I will have to do.  

One more time thank you. 

[zico1983]

Hey Alexa

Try registering at https://www.gamstop.co.uk/ to block you from most of the online casinos. When I say most its alot of them!

Ive been a compulsive gambler for almost 15 years with slots being my main addiction and this really is the best thing that’s happened to me. I’ve been “clean” for almost 5 weeks now and feel great.

Im still early in my journey to recovery but im determined to beat this disease and try and help others on the way. It nearly feels as good as gambling itself! I still get the urge to play slots but with me being banned from all the sites I play on its become quite easy to fight the urge.

I really hope you can turn your life around most importantly for you but also your family.

Stay strong and take things one day at a time!

[alexaalex]

Nice to meet you. I have tried to create an account on https://www.gamstop.co.uk/ but I am not from UK so this will not help me too much. I am already banned on all the slot sites from my country so I have eliminated this problem. Now I have to abstain and not go into the casinos that present at every step. Thank you for your advice and continue to stay clean. I will follow you too 🙂

[alexaalex]

Clean for two days and it feels good. My first goal for now is to reach 30 days without slot games.

[Tango74]

Hi Alexa, I’ve been watching your thread from afar and so pleased to hear you’ve been clean for a couple of days and taken some steps with your banking to help you get some barriers between you and gambling. Keep at it!

[alexaalex]

Thank you for reading my threat and for the good words. Nice to meet you 🙂

[alexaalex]

You don’t have to say ‘never again’. Just say ‘not today’. I found this in a threat wrote by kathrin and I found them to be greath words because it gives you the oportunity to postpone the urge without felling constrained. Postponing the urge for me is important beacause after the urge is finished I ussually realise that I was ready to make a big mistake again.

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