"Just don't do it!"

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(@sholto)
Posts: 4
Topic starter
 

I was watching an episode of the Simpsons today where Marge develops a slot machine addiction. I remember being in Vegas myself about ten years ago and one of the pit-bosses told me that they pump baby powder through the air conditioning in the "one-arm bandits" area, because it's mostly old women who sit there with their bucket of quarters for hours on end, and the smell of baby powder makes them bet like! He also told me they intentionally have no windows in any of the casinos so the "user" becomes disorientated and loses track of time. In that moment I knew I was a mug punter, being manipulated by brains far superior to mine.

I've been a long time reader of this forum, but I finally feel the need to post having just watched an advert for a famous Bingo site that prides itself on its "mumsnet" all good fun pillow-fight, festival vibe. "We are about responsible gambling, so if it starts to become about anything else maybe take yourself out of the game for a while!"

"For a while!" Ha! - the implication is we make a deliberately addictive product, like tobacco, but hell if YOU are so weak you become addicted then IT'S YOUR FAULT, so spend a few days away from the site, then come back when you've sorted yourself out. Haha! Victim blaming/Gaslighting to the nnth degree!

Anyway, Marge Simpson became addicted to slots, and Homer finally dragged her out the casino and said "We can't afford the therapy - JUST DON'T DO IT ANYMORE!"

So pure, so real. Accurate. Just don't do it! For me, I have the control to NOT place that first online casino bet online, but once I do, I genuinely have no control until every last source of credit is denied to me. I don't understand it. Sure it's the dopamine hit of near misses, the chase, the zoning-out for a few sacred hours from real life pain. I get it.

However, having read around this forum for a while, it's clear Gambling doesn't live in isolation as an addiction - it's co-morbid with mental health issues. It's not about attention-seeking, it's about a deep need to feel validated - gambling is a manifestation of a much deeper issue, the need to win, the belief that if we ever won enough we could do all the things for the people we love and show them how we were correct all along by persisting and not giving up.

For what it's worth, my two-penneth, is THIS is what makes gambling the most insidious addiction of all - because you actually stand a fair chance of winning everything back and making everything right. But of course we can't stop, so it's meaningless.

We are inculcated as kids to never give up, to chase our dreams - so dangerous with gambling, because when we stop chasing, we are literally giving up, which is so unnatural like admitting defeat!

At least with a smack addiction or booze addiction it's a self-serving buzz, but with gambling there is a small chance we could actually sort everything out for people we love. THAT'S what makes it so nasty. 

So, my point is, as Homer said to Marge - "We can't afford the therapy, JUST DON'T DO IT!" The regular posters here seem to be divided into two discreet camps of those who are compulsive gamblers because they are addicted to it; and those who have real mental health issues and are using gambling/Gamcare as a way to self-medicate their suffering. Both are of course as valid as each other, however one is a primary problem, the other is a secondary issue to their primary problem which isn't gambling.

Anyone dig what I'm trying to say here?

This topic was modified 3 years ago by Sholto
This topic was modified 3 years ago by Forum admin
 
Posted : 5th January 2021 5:07 pm
Forum admin
(@forum-admin)
Posts: 5946
Admin
 

 Hi Sholto

Thanks for posting in the forum this evening. 

It's good that you have identified reasons not to gamble through your past experiences in Vegas and the Simpsons episode  , and that this has brought you to the realize that gambling does not bring any positive feelings . Using your anger and frustration as a drive to continue your own recovery can be a great motivation .   

It's also good to hear that you also read peoples posts on here and that helps you . Chasing that buzz (dopamine) or escaping thoughts and feelings is of course a huge trigger in gambling , so it's important to try to recognize that these are only thoughts and to be aware of the feelings and triggers associated. 

Overall it sounds like you have a great understanding of why people gamble and the effects it can have on people and it can really help to have this knowledge to aid your recovery journey. 

Please feel free to contact the GamCare Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or Netline to explore the additional support available to you. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if you would like to talk to one of the GamCare HelpLine advisers.

All the best 

Kirk 

Forum Admin 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This post was modified 3 years ago by Forum admin
 
Posted : 5th January 2021 9:18 pm
slowlearner
(@slowlearner)
Posts: 858
 

Hi Sholto,

Fantastic post & so true.

Al

 
Posted : 5th January 2021 10:48 pm
(@sholto)
Posts: 4
Topic starter
 

Thanks for the welcome and replies guys. 

All the best,

S.

 
Posted : 6th January 2021 10:36 am
(@soysauce147)
Posts: 145
 

Afternoon all,

You're correct, Sholto. Gambling is seem to be meaningless. As this industry is human created for self harm like tobacco, alcohol, drugs etc. And there are huge profits to be made from human misery.  

You don't happen to work for Nike by any chance? 

All thr best

Xoi

 
Posted : 6th January 2021 12:15 pm
(@sholto)
Posts: 4
Topic starter
 

Hi Xoi, 

Nope I don't work for Nike! Ha! I work in technology.

With that in mind, may I ask, are you a Chinese Bot? Please don't take this the wrong way, however reading your multiple "cut n paste" posts and the style of writing/sentence construction I'm sensing that you are testing A.I. responses. 

Am I correct, or are you a human? - As I say, I don't mean that in any way disrespectfully, I'm genuinely curious. Thanks, Sholto.

 

 
Posted : 6th January 2021 12:25 pm
(@soysauce147)
Posts: 145
 

Hi Sholto, 

The phrase that you use in the title,"just don't do it," It had me thinking of trainers when I see that phrase. 

I am not from the UK, but from South East Asia. The name gives it away. 

That is correct- I am human. I joined Gamcare because I had a gambling problem like the rest of you guys and discovered ways of battling the Chimp. 

Xoi

 
Posted : 6th January 2021 9:06 pm

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