Hi everyone
After months of deciding to quit and then starting up again I have finally realised I need some drastic action. I have known I was a bit addicted to slots for a while now as even when I win significant amounts I don't stop and even when I decide not to do it and set limits, the other me creates new accounts and bypasses any security by using another laptop! I kind of go into a zone and its almost like self-harm as sometimes I KNOW I will lose but then think at least I won't be able to play once the money has gone.
Anyway - the bottom has come as when I get paid in a few days it will all go into a massive hole and I will still have debt so enough is enough I am sick of wasting my time and being a slave to slots.
So today I have started self-excluding (although I am a member of a very large number of sites so this will take a while). When I get paid I will close one of my bank accounts to lose access to the overdraft and may have to take further action.
I now realise that I am rambling and just needed to get it off my chest as no one knows about this.
Does anyone have any other tips for stopping this ridiculous addiction?
Thanks for listening anyone who got to the end 🙂
Caroline
Hi Caroline - Welcome to the site, and well done for taking that big step towards recovery from this useless and destructive habit.
Your story seems so familiar to me - a bit of harmless bingo to begin with and then Wham! - those accursed slots. I consider myself to be a reasonably intelligent and well-balanced person, but online gambling turned me into a zombie, as logical thought about losing so much money flew out of the window. I am now on my Day 114 of sanity and can honestly say that I feel so much better. And you will too!
So.... what to do next? I see you are self-excluding which is really good. The danger of that of course, as you may already have twigged, is that you can always join new sites. So now you have to install a blocking program on your computer, such as K9 (which is free), GamBlok, BetFilter or another similar software. That way you will find it difficult to access any gambling sites.
These barriers are an enormous help in preventing you from further temptation.
Next, try to visit this site as much as you can and engage with the other members.
It's amazing to see how soon after joining that people start supporting and giving advice to others - somehow putting your thoughts and feelings down in words can really focus your own resolve to give up the habit.
I know from my own experience that online slots can take over your life, so try to follow other interests. Taking more exercise, reading all those books you have been meaning to read for so long, learning a new skill or simply spending more time with the family - such activities can enrich your life in a way that gambling never can.
If you are still with me after this ramble, thanks for reading, and remember that you will always find support and advice here.
Best wishes,
Joanna
Thanks Joanna, 114 days - well done! I might start a calender and see if I can do it too. Unfortunately the self-excluding brings me in contact with promotional emails so I wasted more money today so I need to start again tomorrow. No idea why I did it so I'm really annoyed with myself. I will consider the software or I also ready about opendns which stops access to gambling sites too and is also free. My main issue is I work from home and this is a work laptop so last time I installed it and then started struggling to get to work resources I took it all off in case it was messing with vpn! I will reinstall it all though. Thanks again 🙂 Caroline
Hi Caroline - Sorry to sound harsh, but 'consideration' about putting blocks in place really doesn't come into the equation. It's vital that you cannot access these sites - as you have already found out! I can well understand your difficulty though regarding the work computer - perhaps you can look at each blocking program to see if you can filter more exclusively. Also everytime you get a promotional email, put a block on those too so at least they will go into your Spam folder and perhaps not be read straight away. Unfortunately the online sites have a blind spot when it comes to making contact with people who have closed their accounts or self-excluded!
Best wishes for the coming days. Why don't you start a diary on the 'Recovery Diaries' page so that you can chart your progress?
Joanna
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