New member looking for advice on quitting fruit machines.

Hi RG242424.

It can seem a difficult situation but there is no shame in admitting that is got to you. You really have to tell someone there that you are not to be seen on them because ideally you need to distance yourself with self exclusions.

As you work there its more difficult but any embarrassment you feel should pale into insignificance once you realise the full power of a gambling addiction. You have already seen how it takes over the mind. There is no room for half measures with this addiction and those machines are designed for maximum addiction.

Focus on how they work and the real odds. I can tell you all about the odds on those things and its a mugs game. They do not work how an addicted gambler sees them. The prize doesnt get nearer the longer you play and they will just take your money.

You cant keep secrets though and if you are to continue to work there you are going to have to put a strong barrier up.... even down to living on an allowance provided by your family. You must break the time money location triangle and your location makes that part of it difficult

A gambling addiction needs to be treated with the fear and respect is deserves. Once you focus on that, Im sure you will do the right thing to protect yourself.

Best wishes from everyone on the forum

Thank you for the advice. I played again today even though I promised myself I wouldn't. I won but I understand the fact that I earn enough to not need the wins. I could easily go on a night out with £100 once a week and be comfortable living, but for some reason I feel the need to gamble money when thats the maximum win? I dont need money but still I end up putting hundreds of pounds in AWP's weekly.

Hi RG,

I understand your situation completely as I too had a problem with fruit machines.

In your situation it isn't possible to just 'avoid' the temptation as you're in the pub everyday. Do you play during opening hours or after the pub shuts? Do you have regulars who drink in the pub most days?

The reason I ask is because, when I decided that 'enough was enough', apart from telling my partner and family, I also told the landlord of my local and the guys I drink with in there...and it worked. Having made this admission to enough people there is always someone there ready to 'call me out' if I decided to go near the machines. I don't want to show that I've failed in 'giving up' and endure the backlash from the regulars so I don't go near them. I am just wondering if this would work (in a reverse way) for you.

In addition, I have actually found that a couple of the regulars are ex-gamblers themselves and we've spoken a lot about addiction and I have received a fair amount of (fairly unexpected) support (people asking how I'm getting on, congratulating me from abstaining etc.)

This may not work for you but thought it was worth a mention as, amongst self-exlusion from bookies, online blocks and telling my partner, this has been, undoubtably, one of the key things that has kept me away from gambling for nearly 3 months now.

Good luck

Phil

Thank you for the advice. I dont play machines in work hours, just after work and in other pubs on my days off. I am the manager of the business so I feel a sense of pride in not telling my staff that I have a problem.

Hi HG,

I understand where you're coming from but would recommend you tell someone.

I'm not preaching or trying to take any kind of high-ground but I'm speaking from bitter experience. Gambling thrives on secrecy and, in my experience, the more people who know you are in recovery the less power the addiction has over you. I'm not suggesting you get a T-shirt printed or wear a sandwich board but I have found (and I appreciate everyone's different) that people are generally very supportive as well as adding another obstacle to gambling.

Either way, welcome to the forum and good luck.

Phil