Hi *waves*

Hey LH,

Well done for coming here to say how you are feeling. It feels kinda good right?

I'm not sure from your post whether or not you consider yourself a problem gambler, but from what you say it seems as though you're not comfortable with what you have been doing.

It sounds as though things are not wildly out of control already which is a good thing, but probably a good idea to knock it on the head before it can get worse. Have you thought about any ways that you can try and do this?

🙂

Hi there. I definitely am not happy with what I've been doing but think I'm on the right track to stop it before it gets worse.
I've excluded from all sites I'm prepared to play on as I make sure I read reviews first so I'm hoping this will help me steer clear.
My next step is to re-exclude myself when my exclusions start to come to an end next year. I've started playing free games downloaded from the play store, not slots just things like candy crush etc to try and keep myself busy when the kids are in bed.

Thanks for your reply it feels good to get it out in the open

Hi love

I hear you, sounds similar to my story. I started because I was bored, had some nice wins that lured me in further. Didn't think I had a problem because I wasn't using 'my' money at first, just putting winnings back into the game. Until I started using rent money and food money...

Good luck with no gambling and please feel free to chat when you need to 🙂

Hi Lh8609

Welcome to the forum

You must focus down on what gambling has done to you because its got more of that in store as it takes you to new lows. There are also plenty of videos on how the slots (online and arcade) actually work. You need to realise the odds start at 1 in 10 and can go exponentially as high as 1 in a million for the jackpot.

Thats 1 in 10 of winning a very small amount. Would you bet with me if I had the ball under one of 10 cups? Sure if you played loads of times that would eventually come up but I would be fleecing you overall

In our minds we tend to think its the conveyor belt principle that the longer we play the prize moves towards us on a conveyor belt. Theres a great video explaining this falsehood and I will try and get the link

However it doesnt work like that at all and its like picking from a thousand, ten thousand marbles or a million marbles in T*****a where the marble is replaced and shaken up each time. Its a random number generator but these things are designed to be addictive in the small wins or false wins keep us hooked. The features are designed to work you up as your money is eaten away. An addict is actually more turned on by the near miss than the win and this has been scientifically proven. The reels induce an escape trance and symbols are positioned to generate the near miss myth of play.

Those machines / video screens will just take your money. Its no income scheme as and when you need it. Sure a rare win reinforces our feelings but its totally random and may never happen again. I chased my losses for 10 months after joining the forum and it cost me thousands more...based firmly on the odds its not a get it back later scheme

Scientists will tell you that there is no such thing as the lucky feelings we give ourselves. We end up addicted to the dopamine of this time, next time but its still the same odds that you need to be fully aware of. Even the base odds are an extremely risky way of gambling and therefore wasting money.

I hope you will be ready for a full recovery which does ideally involve telling your family and admitting you are a compulsive gambler. There is no room for half measures and the addiction will always sneak back in if you are casual about it in any way. Its a serious addiction and the problem is we dont realise how addicted and in its control we were. I never thought I could get addicted to anything but the truth is I was a full blown addict and had been addicted to those d**n things for forty years. I had breaks away from them but I was never in control and I should have realised I had a serious problem forty years ago.

Being gamble free is a wonderful feeling of control and serenity. I hope you will join us in recovery

Best wishes from everyone on the forum

Thankyou all for your comments, joydivider I love how you put it straight forward it really makes sense. I know I definitely can't go back now, I'm seeing my mum on Friday so think I will talk to her about it.
Haven't thought about gambling in the last 2 days. Even now talking about it I'm not tempted at all. I hope I can keep this up.

Love to you all

Lh

I have just joined today, right now life is one big black hole. I have been gambling on and off for over 40 years. Recently it has spiralled out of control. Savings and every piece of money i have has gone, thinking that the next spin will make it all better. I have confessed to my family and it is heartbreaking to see the shock and devastation i have caused. Today is scarey i cant even think about tomorrow. I have caused this and cannot blame anyone but right now I don’t know how to move forward. I have accepted counselling and have the complete will to beat this. I just don’t know what to do about the hurt and pain i have caused.

Hi Dave mac I'm wife of cg. Get your family to call gamcare too. They also can talk to someone and have counselling if they wish. It's a massive shock and as people connected to gamblers we need help too. There are also gamanon meetings for relatives in some places. I go to gamanon and it really helps. Take all the help you are offered. This is a tough road and you all need support.

Hope everyone is doing well. Just wanted to update that Im still clean since my last stupid dabble at the weekend. Even though I had a few drinks tonight and felt weak at times. I stuck to my guns so I know I can do this and talking to you guys is really helping.

Much love

Lh x