Definite problem gambler, not convinced I want to stop

Hello Stookie

I get many of the same thoughts

If only i could place 2 on the lottery and walk away but i've never been able to. Its always lead on to something else.

I've tried stopping so many times and gone back to it so many times. Its addictive in my case.

Sure there's some who can place that bet and walk away but i can't

What i'm learning is stopping gambling isn't easy and staying stopped is even harder but it is possible i think with support in my case

But I've got to want to stop. Pretty sure i couldn't abstain if i thought i could still win.

Hi Back Stookie

Triangle

thanks for the reply 🙂

ive essentially been gambling from childhood, every game involved playing for matchsticks, milky buttons or marbles.

cant bare the thought that if i give up then i definitely wont win that jackpot.

until i can sort that out in my brain i am stuck

Hi Stookie, welcome to the Forum and good post my friend,

I gambled for twenty years before I stopped over five years ago. I was the same - I thought I "enjoyed" gambling too; I couldn't contemplate living without it.

But since stopping, I have to question what I actually enjoyed; I realize now that, what I was experiencing was a sensation completely based on false hope, that I could win money and walk away. You don't want to think like that at the time, you want to believe that you are living life on the edge, or on the cusp of something that will turn your entire fortunes around but the truth is that what you experience (and what I experienced) is based on something that doesn't exist.

I would never judge you my friend, and it is ultimately your choice if you choose to carry on, but you have to appreciate that you are not only losing your precious money, but you are losing your precious time as well, and time is the one thing you can't get back.

Stopping, zero tolerance, was a terrifying prospect for me. I didn't know any other way - even a life that was consumed by constant worry, anxiety, debt, stress and so much more, was all that I knew. So I pushed myself, I forced myself to fill the gaps that stopping gambling had left - now I do charity work, go hiking, write, sing, do exercise and so much more; now I realize how precious time is - before, all it meant was time to gamble and time to think about gambling.

What you have to ask yourself is, is this the life you really want, and will you be able to a handle a time in the future when you may need every single penny that you earn? A lot of people gamble within their means, then have children/get made redundant etc. and find they cannot stop.

You mention the jackpot - you think that is the answer, but winning that jackpot will be your worst nightmare because all it will do is make you crave more at higher stakes than ever before (at least of you lose, you might walk away, which effectively makes winning more dangerous than losing). That jackpot would be a complete and utter disaster for you my friend; you will never be able to spend anything you ever win on anything apart from gambling. If that doesn't sort it out in your brain, then you are choosing to not believe in the truth; accept it, live with it and move on my friend.

It is your call and your life my friend. But I have to tell you that you are worth more than this, and that you will never get any real happiness or fulfilment through gambling; neither will you ever achieve anything or gain the respect of your peers - win or lose.

JamesP

Thanks for the in depth response James, wish I read it before I went to the bookies :/

5 on the Irish lotto

240 in the machine

I am at my whits end, I am going away for the weekend on Friday. I will have no access to machines, If I can keep out the shop tomorrow I am going to try and quit.

I am going to delete my bookies apps off my phone right now. I've not missed a lotto draw for years, but I am gradually resigning myself to the fact even IF I win it won't really make any difference. I really am beyond the point where the thrill of the win is enough, this addiction is deeper than that.

I am sitting typing this while my daughter reads her homework story aloud, I don't want to feel like this any more 🙁

I also have a problem with the FOBT'S - mainly play roulette but like you sometimes play the slots or blackjack. Im currenly banned from my local B*****d (self excluded last month).

You obviously struggle to walk past these machines, all i would suggest if you still want to place small stakes is that you make sure that you only carry a fiver into the bookies - avoid carrying around a large wad of cash as youre only asking for trouble!!

I was shocked that youre not allowed to just ban yourself from these machines - you have to self exclude from the whole premises - pathetic policy if you ask me!!

This id day 6 for me without gambling on these machines. Although i've been advised to abstain from gambling full stop i (just like you) find this a scary idea. My aim is to just stay off these machines but still enjoy my little football accumulaters .... just a shame the seasons nearly finished!!

Good luck in your quest to dodge the machines sonic.

Your situation sounds similar to mine indeed.

If I can get to Monday/Tuesday without playing the machines I will start a diary thread to chart my progress

Cheers for the support and advice so far folks, it's very much appreciated 👍