Hello guys, just a quick backstory on myself. I am 27 and have been gambling since 2011. My main problem gambling was from FOBT machines, online casinos and football betting. My last bet on all the above was May 1st 2017 after losing £500 and finally wanting to put a end to it. I have been attending face to face counselling for my gambling addiction and tommorow is my 3rd session out of a possible 8. I highly recommend attending them as it has been helping sort of.
So basically I am doing really well avoiding my usual bad habits, my girlfriend has control of my cards and I have no access to alot of money. I am also self excluded from near enough every bookmaker in a 10mile radius. So I class myself as 44 days free from gambling with no urges to play casino games etc. The only problem I have been having recently is the urge to buy scratchcards. I was wondering if anyone has any tips or stories on avoiding the purchasing of scratchcards. Yesterday I set myself a online account on the national lottery website and deposited £40, got up to £75 and blew the lot. I then went to the shops and bought £35 worth of scrathcards and they ALL lost. I was so mad with myself because I spent £75 on a load of rubbish. I know deep down that scrathcards are a rip off and the most ill win is probably my stake back but I keep finding myself buying them even if its two at a time. I want to stop all gambling methods. So guys I ask you for advice to stop buying them.
Thank you for your time
Jay W
Hi Jay W.
I can only advise that you talk through what you have done with people close. You can also fixate on the real chances or odds with those scratchcards. The real chances of winning anything worth having are extremely low.
Deep down you know this and buying them in bulk is compulsive. It may be that you are just looking for another gambling method.
You have to change this "could be you "and surge of dopamine mentality to a "almost certainly wont be you" reality. Indeed the reason you are bulk buying them is that you already know the reality. There may be a small token amount per number of cards but that isnt the reason you are playing. You need to understand the psychology of token or false wins which is also used on the machines
Just because you can see a roll of tickets it doesnt increase the odds beyond lottery levels. It plays on our misconceptions that the winning ticket is on that roll in the local shop.
Its deregualtion gone mad in my opinion. I cant argue that anyone that buys one in a blue moon has a problem. The problem for you is compulsive gambling because you think you are increasing the odds and dont like losing. However gambling leads to compulsive gambling...in very simple terms I didnt like losing and wanted another go as much for the emotion as the money
When the mind heals you will see them as a liability and not worth bothering with.
Take it easy and keep talking about it
Best wishes from everyone on the forum
Thank you for your reply, I will deffo take on board what your saying.
I had my 3rd session two days after I posted this thread and my counsellor gave me a useful tip on stopping the gambling on all lotto products. She said " remind yourself that you know deep down if you were to win something good like £500 then you would continue gambling until you have another big loss. Which could be all your wages even after you have spent your winnings due to chasing". I think losing can be better than winning sometimes because when I used to win big on the machines I never used to think I had a problem cause I had money, but whenever I lost a big amount that's when I would try to give up. So thats been working so far, I haven't been gambling on anything at all for the last week knowing that a decent win would mean a big loss was around the corner.
Again thank you for your time to reply.
I really appreciate it.
Jay
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