Hi all - returning to this website after a few years away as I need some motivation and to chat with likeminded individuals who are going through the same as me.
It has been 11 days since I last gambled and at the moment I am feeling positive, however, from experience I know how easily it is to slip back into my old ways.
I have been gambling pretty consistently for the last 20 years but have now decided to put a stop to it all. I am beating myself up on a daily basis due to my stupidity and have had enough of treating myself this way.
My main poison is FOBT's. I have had an on/off love affair with these machines for a very long time. I no longer gamble online (10+ years) as my partner found out and she threatened to leave me so I stopped straight away, and honestly haven't bet online since. If I found that so easy, why cant I stop with the FOBT's? Forget that, I have stopped, I just need to keep stopped.
Anyway, I am rambling on. I am going to revisit this post with updates and to see how far I have come.
Thanks for listening.
Andy
Hey Andy,
I've also just come back to this forum after several years away.
I had managed to stay bet free for a chunk of time, but recently had a 'small' relapse (small in terms of financial impact, not in terms of potentially damaging consequence).
It's great that you've managed to stay clear of online gambling for such a lengthy period, and have created whatever practical/psychological blocks required to maintain that.
Would you say that your ability to not gamble online has been assisted by having another outlet (FOBT's)? Or do you view the two things as entirely seperate entities?
What I'm getting at is, would you be able to draw from your resolve to not gamble online, and use the same motivations to keep away from the machines? What is it about the machines that pulls you in?
Where do you see the challenges/barriers to stopping coming from?
Likewise, do you feel that quitting FOBT's may create stronger urges to resume gambling online, or through other means?
I'm assuming that your partner does not know about the FOBT bets (or at least the full extent). Is this something that you'd divulge, or is there hope to stop/create some distance there, and subsequently not have to fully 'fess up?
I'll stop with the 20 questions (apologies if I seem overly nosey). They're more about exploring the question 'If I found that so easy, why can't I stop with the FOBT's'.
You totally have it in you to find that answer, and use it as the cornerstone to stopping, and staying stopped.
All the best. I'll be keeping an eye for any updates.
Cheers
Ian
Morning Ian
Thanks for your reply.
For some reason I see online gambling and FOBTs as separate entity's. The reason why? I couldn't tell you! For me I find it extremely easy to nip in the bookies for 10 minutes here and there, going undetected. I can see why this would make online gambling attractive, but honestly and unbeknownst to me why, I have no interest in it at all (thank god)
My partner does not know about the FOBT's, I couldn't tell her, I wont go into it on here but we have other issues in our home life and I wouldn't want to add to her stress. In my opinion, other issues at home and my mental health have lead me to gamble, as a route of escaping from the real world. For those few minutes nothing else matters. Sad really isn't it? Your brain has a few minutes off but it makes your problems ten times worse when you've finished! Your mental health also deteriorates, a vicious circle!
Well done on rejoining the forum. Its good to know that you can recognise your triggers and come back before it was too late. Hopefully I will soon be able to recognise what leads me to gambling and conquer this awful addiction.
Take care
Andy
Well today marks 2 weeks gamble free, I know its not much, but its a huge achievement for me!
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