I used to go years with the urge and wish to be able to control my gambling addiction. I just wanted to be able to play like all the others have fun but still, have money when I was finished. Well as most of you know this does not work. Time and time again I read about people who do not have five pounds to their name and that does not come from the fact that they may not be making money it is because they are not able to keep the money that they have. Gambling addiction is an impulse control disorder. This together with the fact that gambling devices such as fobdies or fruit machines all work on operant conditioning (carrots and sticks/ winnings and losses) of your mind to keep you there longer so if you do the math, it simply ads up to a bust for everyone who can not control his or her desire to stop.
There is, therefore, no magic of button that we all search for in this matter. There is no re-teaching of your impulse to stop atm but the progress of the science of the brain there could very well be a mechanism in the future that stops our wish to gamble. Until then use Gamstop use gamban or gamblocker and be very happy that they exist because they can be a life-changer for you. What I am trying to say is that we beat ourselves down that we can not control when we should be aware instead that we have an impulse control disorder. To help yourself I would say if confronted that I have icd and therefore should not gamble.
Good luck in your recovery!
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
