Fruit machines

I think most of us have had a fruit machine phase,, i remember pumping £200 through one once,, not very wise. You got to remember these machines are designed to make you lose and continuing to play them in the long term is only going to make you lose your money, time and sanity. You should perhaps try and find other hobbies to distract yourself when the urges come, tell a close friend perhaps so they encourage you to not use these horrible machines

Hi Adam,

Just wondering how long you've been playing the machines, you've come on here for good reason no doubt so I'm thinking it's probably been a while. I was a massive fruit machine addict from the age of 14 right up til now on the online slots, I'm 44 by the way so thirty years. I have managed to keep it much more under control over the last few years and my goal is to never gamble again in any shape or form. Sounds like you could do with a support network so you're in the right place.

Might be an idea to start Recovery diary too.

Hi Adam.

Welcome to the forum. Yes you must stop gambling and take all the advice and help on offer.

I had been on an off them for decades. I hate to think of the money I have wasted to feed the addiction. At times I thought I was in control but I never really was.

They will ruin you faster than anything and I think you are now ready to stop. Ive seen it all over the years and I know exactly that feeling of walking straight to the machine rather than the bar

Its a full on addiction. You are having a love hate relationship with a machine so your mind can get its chemical fixes. We ignored the odds and we try and rationalise it in our different ways. Its a form of mind control and they are designed to be highly addictive.

They naturally lead to rapid chase playing because every spin we dont really want to lose a pound. I see it as crazy addicted behaviour now. The sheer delusion and arrogance that we think we will just win a bit.

The odds are horrendous and the false wins and token amounts keep an addict playing to extinction. Weve all met the person who says if you just peer through the reel window you can see its ready to pay. I notice these people are usually skint and just hovering around waiting for me to lose all my money 🙂 It was a horrible atmosphere in arcades and people clinging round pub machines. I never want to experience that again.

So if you open up with honesty your family can help. I dont drink now but If I ever went into such a place I have to announce that Im not to be seen anywhere near the machines.

I have self excluded from all bookies and local arcades

I cant believe I ever did it because I can be so sensible with money.

So please seek help and counselling. Your family need to understand that its a deadly addiction. You have the rest of your life to live and you can make it much happier by bing gamble free

Best wishes from everyone on the forum