I have realised that as an addict, I never treat myself to anything, all my money goes on gambling. People do often ask me why I am penniless all the time. I don't buy anything at all.
I know that this is a cycle of thinking that probably needs to change, I can't keep punishing myself with ever stringent budgets. I think that the added pressure makes slip ups worse. I am counting pennies in the supermarket and then blowing several hundred in the casino...
I am wondering how exactly do I justify buying stuff I want? I really want to buy a games console and some new clothes, I don't know if I deserve one, or whether I should considering the amount of money I''ve gambled away. I don't even know if buying these things are also a waste of money, I'm pretty sure the urge to spend is a diversion of my urge to spin the roulette wheel, but it's certainly better than gambling it.
I don't even know how to feel about money, or what a normal thought process is when it comes to spending it.
Well Done Urgh,
It seems like you have had serious thoughts about your gambling and the effect it is having on you.
Urgh, these could all be true of your gambling, however you may know that you can do something about this situation you mentioned your gambling has been putting you in.
Being on here, you may have read or chatted to many people who have successfully taken steps towards what they would like to do about their gambling.
Urgh, your determination to want to do what you want to do is what will help you.
Call us on our Free Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or Chat with us on our netline if you want to talk.
Regards
Florence
I know where you're coming from...I seem to have feelings of guilt whenever i spend money but the way to look at it is at least you are getting something in return when you spend money, whether that be food, clothes, a DVD or whatever it might be. We can't punish ourselves forever. Myself, I Spent £30 on a present for my daughter at the weekend, my first thought was "oh that's a lot" so i had to challenge this thought process by reminding myself that i wouldn't have thought twice about putting £30 into a slot machine. Dealing with our thought processes is a work in progress and you just have to keep chipping away making progress bit by bit. I have every faith you will get there.
Just d
I too know where you're coming from, i've been in debt for around 17 years with nothing at all to show for the years of working. Any spare money that i have after servicing debt commitments and living expenses is 'gambling money'.
Its crazy when your in the supermarket refusing to make purchases on for example biscuits that you deem are a bit steep in price yet later that very day you lose 200 quid in the bookies.
Personally I'd like to be in a position where im not playing the fixed odds betting terminals (roulette) but can just bet the odd 5 a week on the football. What really worries me is dealing with the money that i will ultimately have by not playing these machines. How to retrain by brain into not seeing this money as 'gambling' money.
For info - today is day 4 of not gambling. Like i said, my aim is not to stop gambling completely... I'll prob have a bet on the football sooner or later, my aim is to just not play the FOBT's. I know you cant win - well you can but you always end up putting it all back in.
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