Hi all,
I've just been having a conversation with a friend on FB, reminiscing about the times I used to be sat in my bedroom all day, playing Pacman & Space Invaders on the Atari (many many years ago lol!).
But it's got me thinking. I posted in my diary a few days ago about how I've recently been playing slots in demo mode, and I still struggle to stop once I've started (10 more spins etc etc).
Just prior to starting gambling, it was Bejeweled Blitz - every time I had a spare hour I would play, sometimes it would be the first thing I did when I picked up my phone on a morning.
It's making me wonder, was it ever actually about winning money, or was it just the thrill of the game? e.g. Bonus game = new high score??
I'm not sure exactly where I'm going with this, but it would be interesting to know if anyone else has had other similar "adductions"?
xx
Hi.
You mention computer games but we have long passed the stage where people have to feed 10p into a slot. I enjoy a good game but I can get hundreds of hours play from say a £5 purchase. Mostly cheaper older games now as Im careful with money 🙂
Im collecting every star achievement in a game now and I have a healthy library of games. I consider it a healthy addiction and a proper addiction to fun. Is it an addiction?...not really as I see it I like fun games that have been well reviewed...I probably buy 5% of games available on a particular platform
A key point is I dont buy into the mobile games that require extra purchases during the game. You know the ones and I find that shameful on the part of the developers.
Gambling was about the escape and the emotions the experience was giving me. The money became secondary until there was no more and the realisation set in. The mind switches off then back on to reality with money. Its crystal clear that my mind wanted its own fixes at the cost of everything else. I wasnt in control and thats what many people need to understand about the brain.
I stopped playing the free slots quite early on....I was definately in a stage of early recovery but soon figured they are as dull as dishwater without that feeling of risk and reward. The money does play a part but for me it was secondary. At the time I thought I would get a fix for free but I dont even think about it now
I think fun pursuits can be addictive in a healthy way as long as it doesnt go too far. Ive bought loads of equipment in the past and hardly done the activity so I do have an addictive personality to get into things.
However they have a finite expense and Im not chasing and throwing money away like I was addicted to gambling. I mean yes Ive wasted money but I wonder who doesnt at some point. I felt I had something to show for it even if I didnt use it much
I would be quite happy with a life like the Friars....a habit a guitar and some love for our fellow man 🙂
I feel that many gamblers are searching for something. I have always been an indecisive lost soul...cant commit to choosing the right relationships so I think I had a predisposition to get involved with gambling. I saw machines as casual lightweight gambling....how deluded and wrong I was.
Anyway just a few thoughts
Best wishes to everyone on the forum
Hi. I hope you don't me asking and feel free to ignore this question but what motivates you to play slots in demo mode? Do you not have concerns that this could actually lead to real gambling? Best wishes, Phil
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