Need assistance with this

@Stopgamnow life is full of surprises and our brain works in a very strange way.
Everyones is different so everyones coping and dealing mechnism is different. Try not to over analyse it too much and just try to make as many memories that are positive as you can.

When was the last time you smiled?
Can you remember? and can you remember why you smiled?
What about the last time you truly laughed until your stomach was sore?

Maybe try to create more of the moments like that instead of the ones that make your stomache go in knots and your moods change.

I have had issues with bookmakers similar to yourself and using the FOBT machines chasing the win. For me when i decided 24 days ago to give up, i decided enough was enough.
I looked at removing all of the things which allowed me to gamble in the first place.

1. Removed my cards from my wallet
This removed the tempation for me to want to withdraw money chasing the losses i had just bet.
2. Carried a small amount of cash on me (£10).
This is enough to be lunch if i feel like it or a coffee or evern a donut.
3. Talk about it.
Write a diary about how you feel and when you feel low read some stories on here. You will soon realise you are in a safe place.

4. Set some goals
I set myself 30 days. Pretty optimistic as i hadn't gone 2 days all year without having a spin. I was determined to crack it though so thought if i want to kill the demons, i need to go big or go home.
I also move money daily into a little pocket in my account.
After 30 days, i should have £45, which will then roll over to start again for another 30 days. It will be £45 i havent saved in a long time. After 12 months it will pay for a luxury, maybe a holiday or something.

You can beat this, and dont give up. We are fighting this battle with you.

CJ.

Stopgamnow wrote:

I have been gambling for around 6 years now, and am having a lot of trouble stopping.

Right now, I’m in a position where I completely understand the damage that gambling is causing to myself and everyone around me, and I know the consequences of continuing. I also understand the biology behind the addiction, and have attended GA and treatment a number of times.

My issue right now, is that my heart is telling me that I can stop, but even though I know that it is an addiction and only having negative consequences on my life, something in my head is still forcing me into shops, leading me to loose whatever money I have/can find.

Online self exclusion has helped a lot, but I feel that in shop self exclusion is almost pointless, due to the number of bookmakers on the high street that don’t take notice of it. I’m not at all blaming them for this, because I also understand that it is ultimately my responsibility to not enter these premises.

Essentially, why is something in my head still wanting to gamble, even though I know that it’s not what I want to do...?

Because the gambling demons are like voices that keep telling us just one more. But.. And this is what I have gathered. You know those tunes on the slot machines. You might have seen in supermarkets they give out a coffee fragrance in the air or the donut smell.. It has a association to happier times, then we need a coffee or a cake to feel better. Well same with slots. They have certain tunes or lights flashing that condition our minds. Like Pavlov dogs where they heard the bells and knew it was dinner time. Our brains have been conditioned since birth, for sounds, lights, smells, feelings associated with happy times.

So.. When you hear those voices and get those feelings you keep right there at the front of your worse feeling and ignore the gambling urges.. They are false they want you to lose and feel worthless.

Listen to C.J advice. Find what makes you truly happy and what makes you laugh so hard it hurts. Watch all the funny movies that give you meaning of your goals in your future.

Be kinder to yourself.
Bella xx