Hi my name is Dean, I dont know whats wrong with me, I know i should not do it but i cant help myself as soon as i have money all i wanna do is play machines. 20 years now (thought i would have learnt my lesson by now). I am out of control, i finding myself lieing to get money, ie-making up non exsisting bills or other things. I cant stop playing the fruit machines. When i have no money i am fine I can go without playing, the second i get paid or i get even a £5 i am off to find a machine. The worst thing about this is i work with machines i KNOW i CANT win but still do it. Today for example I had £400 to pay rent where did i go the machines, why ??? Its likei am in automatic robot mode. I ran around like a idiot after i lost it all, got £20 went back won exactly £400, i was leaving then i see a Reel King potty on £500 what did i do, i dont even need to type it, but yes i lost £400 trying to win £500. I need some advice on how to stop myself going to these places. I have made the first step by getting wages paid into my partners account, although this will make it difficult for me, it wont stop me or cure the problem. I need help to change my way of thinking or i am going to lose everything. I only gamble on slots machine, i dont even enjoy it, i get stress and its always playing on my mind what i have done which cant be good for my health so please please give me some advice on how to change this instantanious not being able to resist going to play machines.
When i empty the machines at work there is £1000's of pounds in notes I watch people lose continuously for 8 hours everyday, how can this not stop me playing ? I sick of it now just want it to go away.
Hi Dean, I understand and can relate to this post. I'd pour money into machines and chase the Jackpots putting in hundreds and getting the awful feelings,not sleeping,feeling sick and worrying about the rest of the month not having spare cash.
I haven't gambled since just before Christmas and already I'm starting to feel stronger and more "human" again (I can function now without constantly thinking about money/lack of money).. So my advice to you is use the negative feelings of the big loses as your motivation.
easier said than done,but giving control of your wages to your partner is a big step in the right direction. Best of luck to you x
You won't like what I'm going to say but the truth hurts my friend, you need another job. Whilst looking for another job you've already answered your own question, you need to change the way you think. So far you're doing great, giving finances over is a big start, you then need to just get through one day at a time. If you can get to a GA meeting this might help, to be around people who understand you. You're an addict, like any addiction the withdrawal symptoms can consume your thoughts, it will all be about getting your hands on money to press the buttons again, this will lead you to bad places like loans, debt and even stealing. Keep busy, fill your time with things that are positive, go for a run, join the gym, do the housework, anything. As the days pass it gets easier, trust me.
Thanks for your replies, my job actually helps me in a way as on the days i work i dont gamble, my trouble starts on my days off, the boredom and being alone. I think the people playing them are stupid i actually give them advice as to what problems it causes. Sounds strange but i good at giving it but dont do my own advice. I gonna take this one day at a time, had day off today and found it very hard to not go but i got through it, walked the dog which i dont do very often cos normally gambling, went to my partners shop and helped her, went shopping and done house cleaning anything i could do to take my mind off it. I deleted any sort of slot games off my phone. Gave all my cards to my partner and have been staring at 80 quid allday. Tomorrow i am at work so i hope i can keep this up and like you said everyday will get a bit easier.
Hello emilydean. I have to agree with orbits, and echo the sentiment that you may want to look for another job. Its not the fact that you will gamble on the days you are working, but rather the trigger of being reminded to gamble, rather for work or personal time. Can you imagine an alcoholic friend telling you he is fighting alcoholism while working in a liquor store? You would think to yourself, why put yourself thru the extra suffering. Same prinicpal applies. I can appreciate any man doing what he has to do to make a living, but the option for a career change maybe something serious you may want to consider. Hope you fnd this helpful. Regards, AM
the 1000's of pounds in notes is not even the half of it
Debit cards and vouchers are virtually placed and lost
not to mention the actual wins being replayed to zero
Its awful and illogical on our part and yet we still do it......why???
Because we are ill and captivated by the little tiny chance.......
We need help and it won't be easy but we can do it........we have too to save ourselves.
Your job will not pay massive money and neither does mine but if you have the skills to work there i think you will be an asset to a bank or similar career path - then maybe you can save on the days off and not gamble.
Feeling bored and lonely are my triggers and maybe we need to have a social gamcare meet or non gambling idea social events?.........not sure how this will be realised but it seems mad there is so many isolated and lonely people all here and we don't have meet ups or events except GA meetings...........maybe all of us meeting in certain areas of postcode would be highly volatile if we ended up having urges to gamble but i think if we had even a simple coffee meet up individually with people we choose whom live in a close proxminity it would not hurt and be highly benefical.
Or maybe i just crazy lol
Regards
Wayne (Day 7 gamble free)
Hello Dean,
Well done for taking this positive step of joining this Forum after 20 years of gambling. Like you said, you need to change the way you think as well as take practical steps to prevent yourself from gambling. GamCare provides free counselling sessions that can help you understand your behaviours and change your thinking. This is however a slow process and you would need as much support as you can get in the meantime. GA meetings could help you stay focused on your recovery and I would agree that changing your job can make it easier for you to stop thinking about gambling.
Our lines are open from 8am until midnight,7 days a week. You may contact GamCare and speak to an advisor on 0808 8020 133 or use the Netline.
Best wishes,
Fourm admin
Hi Dean, welcome to recovery mate! I see you have turned over your finances which should help you break the Time-Money-Location triangle but you will still also need some dogged determination & a new hobby!
I have not gotten round to posting the rest of my gambling shame on my diary - the bit after I started going into the bookies but I was hooked for longer than 20 years & I am now recovering! If I can do it, anyone can! I have used walking the dog to my advantage & in the early days played many computer games with set lives which I have slowly lost interest in. My main saviour has been sites such as these where I can come & learn as well as offer support to others on this difficult journey! Unlike the others, I think you can very much do this whilst keeping your job...You cannot gamble when you are working anyway so you must use the thoughts you have about trying to help vulnerable people (like you) as you collect the notes to your advantage. Whether you work in the industry or not, you will be prone to thinking about gambling most of the time @ the moment anyway (this site does that), you just need to figure out how to use it to your advantage. It does get easier, I promise but more importantly, the longer you stay away from them, the easier it is to fight off the urges when they come!
There are lots of great posts on here to keep you busy & gamble free - ODAAT
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