I'm 57yrs old, been playing fruit machines since I was a kid. The last 20yrs with a lot more money. I think I knew I was addicted over 18yrs ago but didn't want to stop because I enjoyed it too much. I've buried two husband's and used each one as an added excuse to continue my addiction. I like fruit machines, the lights, the noise, the games. The problem is I walk into the room a normal, healthy, intelligent woman. Put a £ in a machine and turn into babbling, neurotic b**** that won't leave until every penny I can get my hands on has been forced into the mouth of the electronic monster in front of me. So I can safely say I have a problem. Over the years I've joined GA two or three times, the last was two years ago, I managed to get my one year pin and until two months ago had been " good" I had a slip while on holiday and stopped the next day. I haven't been back to GA because I changed jobs etc.but I will soon. Got to go now, just wanted to say hi......and then babbled on...sorry.
Hi welcome to the forum 🙂
I can relate to you with those machines, I've been known to put £200 in out of my wallet then another £300 or so on my card straight away, hopefully no more though as those things are evil
Hi Player7, welcome to the Forum and please don't worry about babbling - this is the place to do it,
I was a long-time gambler myself; over twenty years before I stopped over five years ago - I also started on Fruit Machines.
I thought I loved them too - I even owned several which I kept in my house.
The problem, which I eventually came round to, is that they are based on a lie - that you can actually win and walk away. You can't; all it will do is drive you back to play them more than ever, which invariably leads to losing.
The enjoyment comes from you believing this is different - if you knew that you were guaranteed to lose, every single time, would it give you the same feeling? Winning is actually worse because you may actually stop at some point if you keep losing consistently.
You seem like a decent, intelligent person my friend - at 57, you could only be half way through your life; how would you feel if you were aged 67, 77 or 87? Still in the midst of this vicious cycle? I'm not saying you have wasted these years but they have been compromised to a certain extent, and now is the time to draw a line under it.
You did amazingly well to reach a year my friend - now is the time to take it up a level. I found that counting days and time didn't help - sometimes it put un-necessary pressure on my shoulders to reach certain goals; I know I have stopped for around five years, but I don't know the exact amount of time and wouldn't want to.
Player7, you still have time to create another life away from these things; everyone gets stuck in a rut at some point or another - you have been through a great deal and I feel it drags you down sometimes, when maybe you should be using it to push you on to change your life.
I hope you can get back to where you were and beyond my friend. Now is the time to do so, no question; you still have a lot of time on your side and the capacity to do something about it.
JamesP
Welcome babbling friend, I too babble on a bit but its lifes way of helping you get out what you need to say.
I joined here yesterday and although haven't felt the physical weight lifted off my shoulders from firstly speaking about my problem know that it will come in time and I will get to a comfortable level. And I can assure you babbling will continue. Good luck with everything. And know you have made the right step forward.
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