Dear all,
As we welcome in 2017 are there any major changes coming to the gambling industry? I know there is a mass exclusion form coming into place, but is there anything else to prevent the public from going "a bit too far" or essentially holding back or ruining their lives and those people around them? It's still for me a huge issue that anyone could get hooked with some easy wins and then take it too far, then repeat and chase. I know the responsibility is with us to know when to stop and that supportive measures are reactive, not pro active but how many of us would say that they would self exclude from online sites or bookies having never had a gamble? We all know gambling is progressive, which ever route we took into it so what can we do to break the cycle and never "require" gambling in our lives. I think for my recovery what has worked I have looked at my mindset and relationship with gambling and dopamine in take that thrives upon today'a "on demand" society.
Starting with dopamine........I had no idea when I was gambling that along with adrenaline, this is what our body releases and later craves. A massive internal drug if you will that fuels addiction. When removed, we want it more and go back to gambling to fuel it. We live in an "on demand" society and dopamine is released when we get a Facebook like, a text message, eat food, drink, smoke, gamble but also forming new and great relationships, trying new things, sports and leisure pursuits etc. Plenty of ways to get it and some more difficult than others. But now we are on demand we can serve ourselves a "faux" dopamine hit through social networking, smoking, drinking and of course gambling. I now prefer safer ways such as playing a video game and achieving, performing well at my job, socialising with others, visiting new places etc to get this fix. So what do you get when gambling? A series of highs and lows of both dopamine and adrenaline. But for me gambling also shuts down the other avenues to receive these feelings naturally. Time spent gambling is at the expense of other pursuits, relationships and achievements in life. I used to love waiting for a movie to come on tv years agai, wait for the right time to start, build up the anticipation and expectation but now everything is the touch of a button and somewhat artificial. That is the same with gambling, it'a at our fingertips any time of the day, 24/7 and that allowance by whoever makes this possible is a terrible thing. I think what I am saying is I used a lot of replacement, replacing gambling with positive dopamine and adrenaline get not addiction. Do I go back for more of these? Yes, but not because I am addicted, because they are healthy pursuits making me a better and more skilled person and they also give enjoyment without any lows.
My second is my relationship with the gambling industry. What kind of relationship is it for the punter? It's always negative, even when we win it is a bigger picture with a terrible story and an unhappy ending until you end up in recovery, or worse still. The house will only ever win otherwise gambling wouldn't exist on this level. I hate the advertising, the glitz, the glamour, targeting sub sets of society such as the wannabe high rollers, bored housewives or just normal people saying that gambling is for everyone. I hate the emails enticing you with free spins but then stupidly higher wagering requirements before you can withdrawal. It's a negative relationship and in other areas of life, we get out of negative relationships. But this one is also harmful, more desctuctive than a lot of addictions as it can instantly destroy lives and cause suicide and crime. I personify gambling as a figure in my life, and I have spent the last year nearly distancing myself as far away from that figure as I can. It's still around, on tv, on the high street, in the pub, but it's a figure I don't ever want to speak to again or interact with. I choose the positive and healthy relationships in my life, not the one that can destroy me and those around me. I think the point of this post is to see what everyone else thinks, or maybe get people to look at things a different way. The blockers, barriers and one day at a time are all brilliant to prevent but I think there is a bigger picture here in way we perceive gambling and it's relationship with us. Thanks for reading!
I must try and remain calm but know Im extremely uncomfortable with the extent of gambling in our society
Obviously we never see the empty cupboards, despair and misery in the adverts. Thats putting it lightly
Im not a religious person but quite rightly the religions do not agree with it. Its not a wholesome activity and it sucks the life out of communities.
I dont really buy the view that it can be done responsibly. Its very odd to me that gambling and responsibility can be mentioned in the same blurb. Please gamble responsibly just seems an oxymoron soundbite to me.
I feel thoughts of shame that I could have bought presents for the more deserving with that money. I went through real feelings of confusion in recovery as I realised I was gambling to zone out or escape. I still cant fully understand how I thought a brief session of trancing out was worth the desperate feeling of no money for food afterwards.
I dont like to call it an industry as that has positive connitations. I think it needs heavy regulation but exactly the opposite seems to be happening. I see it as a snake oil, dream seller type of operation which preys on people
I know that it initial butterfly rush in the torso but it wasn't really fun. I just felt stressed, ultimately drained and even suicidal afterwards.
I remember having money for shopping. I looked at some vinyl records but just felt bored and lonely. The next thing Im in an arcade as if its all I wanted to do. A short while later Im skint and thinking I could actually have bought those records a nice shirt and other things. Horrendous sinking memories!
I think gambling naturally creates addiction and all the blame is passed on to the naughty addicts.
Its a more stressful world now with youngsters running round warehouses with tags on their ankles. Precariat jobs and zero hour contracts which seem to be legal. All this will play right down the avenue of increased gambling and more misery.
I know why its been deregulated and I dont trust our government one bit.
All in all its a massive topic for discussion.
Best wishes to everyone
Hi Are , thank you for sharing your thoughts !
First of all best wishes for the new year everyone 🙂
Coming of the poison that gambling addiction is , is a mayor experience for me as I did underestimate the impact of this drug in my life for a long time . No win was ever good enough and the only thing "helping me" was gambling at the most sickest stage of this illusion.
I have lived and survived this illusion for over 20 years , and am currently in the aftershock after my first conscious gamble free year with help and therapy. And yet the last year I have been closest to end it all , and I do think it also has to do with the adrenaline / dopamine levels dropping . It took more than a year to feel I was getting into recovery , and before I did not understand what that ment.
It is bone chilling to see that gambling world wide is on the rise , and I find it very depressing that goverments support this with any alibi . We know here that no good can come from it , it's true crime happening over and over.
The wanting of that instant satisfaction , the "adventure " , more for less , escape from whatever , thrill , looking for pleasure / pain fits right with this (online) gambling trend and will of course make more victims then winners.
I can say I'm glad I am out , I've paid my tuition . Finding that one good choice leads to the next , one day at the time !
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