Hi, New here and finally admitting that I have a problem.
I can go to the bookies and spend my normal £20 on football bets, but the slot machines, and online slots are killing me.
You keep chasing your tail, I can win it back. Another £20 and another before I know.it its £200 and I feel so annoyed and disappointed with myself.
I’m on GamStop etc. Sometimes I can go to the bookies and not go on the machines, other times I get sucked In.
Recently lost my job and applying for jobs is depressing as never get a reply. Find myself chasing some sort of buzz even tho I know the machines aren’t it.
Is there anyone else out there that struggles like.this? What do you do?
I’m not spending money I don’t have. I’ve had an ex that took me to the cleaners so money wise I get.it. But mentally I can’t get rid of this urge even tho I know its wrong.
Sorry for the long message. If you’ve got this far, Thank you. Any advice is appreciated.
Hi, welcome First of all, well done for admitting that you’ve got a problem. That’s a massive step in itself, and I think a lot of us on here will recognise exactly what you’re describing.
The fact that you’re not spending money you don’t have doesn’t mean it isn’t affecting you. That constant urge to have another go, chasing the loss and thinking “I can win it back” is exactly how gambling can get its claws in.
I think the biggest thing is not relying on willpower. You’ve already said sometimes you can walk into the bookies and avoid the machines, but other times you get sucked in. That tells you everything really — the machines/online slots are the problem, so put as many barriers between you and them as possible.
You’re already on GamStop, which is a really positive step. I’d also look at blocking gambling sites/apps, getting rid of anything that makes depositing easy, and avoiding the bookies completely if you can. Even if you only go in for a football bet, you know what might be sitting there tempting you.
And please don’t beat yourself up when you slip. The guilt and disappointment can actually feed the cycle. Take it as information rather than failure: what happened just before I gambled? How was I feeling? What was I looking for? You’ve mentioned losing your job and feeling depressed about applying — it sounds like you might be chasing that little bit of excitement or escape rather than actually chasing money.
Keep posting on here, especially when you get the urge. Sometimes getting through that first 10–20 minutes without acting on it is enough to break the cycle.
You’ve recognised the problem, and you’ve already taken steps. You absolutely can get out of this. One day at a time x
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First of all, well done for admitting that you’ve got a problem. That’s a massive step in itself, and I think a lot of us on here will recognise exactly what you’re describing.