I had a craving because.....

Hi Ryan,

Your posting is an interesting one. Thinking about what influences our decision-making is always worthwhile.

So, yes, a gambler should try to ask him or herself key questions, such as...

Am I placing this bet for a specific reason - or is it that I feel in need of the 'escapism' or I've simply found an excuse to bet? Based on past experience, am I likely to bet in a controlled and affordable way? Putting it another way, what's my likely reaction if I lose?

If my gambling tends to slip out of control, then why does this happen?

If I want to stop gambling (or take a holiday from it - or decide I can keep it affordable), what types of situation might increase the possibility a relapse? Converrsely, what can I do to help me survive the tougher days.

Do I keep a record of my bets? If not, would it help to do so?

No doubt we can extend some of these processes even further, but it will be interesting to read the thoughts of others.

Wishing you well, Ryan.

Forum admin

(Robert)

Interesting one...

My main triggers I would say are boredom, loneliness sometimes, could be that I am stressed and want to excape or suprisingly, when I get some good news or feel good I used to see it as a 'treat'. I now realise that it always ends badly though and I am feeling great for having stopped

Escapism.

Need for the adrenalin rush (fix)

Addictive/Obsessive personality.

Over use of Alchohol clouding judgement

Being in a gambling clique

Further gambling bouts caused my need to chase losses

Argument with family and friends

analysis: it's a destabilising influence, reducing your ability to think rationally and therefore inducing a power imbalance between the pleasure-seeky brain and the reasoning brain.

Seeing a picture on social media of a 'big win' bet slip - this one iritates me beyond belief.

I agree Danny.. it definitely gives you a feeling of injustice, right? Obviously we just have to see sense, in that nobody posts the hundreds of losing bets they have almost certainly had. The only way to actually win is to stop.

Some good responses so far!

For me, even the music from my favourite slots brings about an urge to gamble. If I hear certain theme tunes eg Rocky I immediately and automatically think of gambling and how much I enjoyed playing slots. In the past this would've been enough to get me depositing online. The TV adverts showing slots also fuelled the gambling urges. ( Sadly the ads do work).

Boxingday1

Whooooaaahh... that's horrible. Music provides such a quick connection to one's emotional world, and the idea of that being hijacked as a way to manipulate you into gambling . . . that's deeply wrong. I don't know what can be done about it (I started thinking about "reprogramming" and was immediately reminded of Clockwork Orange).

From a brain-as-computer perspective, (a) it's a security leak, and (b) your system is currently infected with a virus that has entered by that security leak, and is waiting for its cue to activate and do damage.
Um
Visualizing anti virus software like Kaspersky etc
If you can't delete the virus, you quarantine it.

What does "quarantine" mean? Other than the obvious "don't listen to Rocky I"? I think it means "be aware of the signal, and intercept it". Rocky I starts playing, and you say something like STOP RIGHT THERE. I choose to block the signal before it, so to speak, launches gamblingVirus.exe. Does that make any sense?

When I was on the punt I always had the craving, 24/7.

Nowadays, my problem triggers are mainly stress, (especially work and family issues) and boredom.

I've been clean for over 3 years now.

Hi wal1957,

Congratulations on being 3 years clean.

Do you think that being able to recognise your problem triggers is the main factor for you abstaining this long?

For example do you have any plans in place for when you are bored or stressed?

AR

Oh man Music really does play a big part in it. I remember thinking about some music from a slot I play often, and boom I had to go play it.

For me Alky is the main reason. I lose any sense of responsibility and max my card out in one night. Then the next day with a hangover and debt is AWEFUL. I hate that feeling, but still I went on....

Another reason is dreams. Sounds silly, but I have dreams that I win big all.the.time. I wake up thinking its a sign, or some message that means I will win if I play. SO wrong. I remember my dreams well, and the feeling that I experience in my dreams when I win is so real, I wake up with a yearning to play. This for me is one of the biggest problems.

I am just going to keep at it. 3 days gamble free so far, small steps big changes.