gambling addiction

[luckiestgambler]

Hi mates. just want to ask, how do you know that you're already addicted to gambling? and when you do, how do you get out of it? (there's quite a possibility that i am now). TIA

 

[me_and_ed]

Hi mates. just want to ask, how do you know that you're already addicted to gambling? and when you do, how do you get out of it? (there's quite a possibility that i am now). TIA

That's a pretty broad question.

Signs:
Lying to yourself and others about money
Spending more than you have
When its not about winning anymore
When you start ignoring the things you used to enjoy that were not gambling based

This list could go on and on.

How to stop:
Close all your casino accounts citing you have a gambling problem
unsubscribe to emails
If you have a loved one that you are with be honest with them and give all your financial options to them, no credit cards, no debit cards
Go to an open GA meeting
Have your Casinomeister account closed or swithched to "quit gambling"

This list could on as well, any option that you find relief is good, eventually you will start to take back your life, just be honest at every turn.

Good Luck!!

 

[mattsgame]

That's a pretty broad question.

Signs:
Lying to yourself and others about money
Spending more than you have
When its not about winning anymore (When its not about enjoyment anymore and only about winning)
When you start ignoring the things you used to enjoy that were not gambling based
Chasing your loses

This list could go on and on.

How to stop:
Close all your casino accounts citing you have a gambling problem
unsubscribe to emails
If you have a loved one that you are with be honest with them and give all your financial options to them, no credit cards, no debit cards
Go to an open GA meeting
Have your Casinomeister account closed or swithched to "quit gambling"

This list could on as well, any option that you find relief is good, eventually you will start to take back your life, just be honest at every turn.

Good Luck!!

Agree, I have just changed one thing you said there and added an extra.. For the OP since you have doubts, its good that you have come to this realisation early. I suggest you take a peak around this site (Old / Expired Link) and try and get some answers for yourself, maybe even speak to someone.

Wish you all the best,

Cheers
Matt

 

[Cleveland]

me_and_ed and mattsgame nailed it.

If you're asking this question, then odds are good that you're there or almost there. I asked myself the same question approx 5-6 months ago (not sure exact time frame). I had to take a number off months of to prove to myself that I wasn't addicted, and that at any moment I could walk away.

It's so hard to answer as the line between really enjoying gaming and being addicted can appear blurred at times. Doing as was suggested above (gamecare site), and taking time off can at least get you started on the right path. Either you will realize you're not addicted, and be able to enjoy your gaming with that peace of mind, or you will realize you are addicted, and will have already put yourself in an advantageous position to deal with it.

 

[me_and_ed]

Quite a few years ago I saw an addiction councillor, he made me do a little test, he had me list all things I did and enjoyed, people I hung out with, social events etc....before I started gambling, had me draw a circle around it, then he had me relist the same things after I was in the grip of my gambling addiction and circle it, I was completely shocked at how small my circle had become, as time went on the circle grew again.

I am no expert but this little exercise really made me realize what I had sacrificed and lost at the height my gambling addiction.

 

[Redbet-Andy]

if you're asking that question already there's a chance you can catch this before it gets really bad.
Some good advice here.
If you are constantly thinking about gambling, or if you have a compulsion to gamble every evening after work, to the detriment of other things then I'd suggest you want to take action immediately.

Get onto all the casinos you play at and block yourself for a few months, that will mean you lose the habit and that's crucial.
Close any gaming accounts you have with payment processors.
If you can, for example if you have an understanding partner give them your cards to look after and don't make a note of the number or save it anywhere. That's a great deterrent as it's difficult for you to fund your habit and if you do you know you're letting them down (and they'll find out).

If after 3 or 6 months has passed you think you can play recreationally then great, but don't let it take over - it's a horrible thing to be in the grip of.

As me_and_ed said get yourself off here and into the "quit gambling" section, all this talk of big wins and screenshots will send you right back into it.

Good luck, you can definitely beat it!

 

[Mousey]

Hi mates. just want to ask, how do you know that you're already addicted to gambling? and when you do, how do you get out of it? (there's quite a possibility that i am now). TIA

Please, go to this Quit Gambling page here at CM and read it... then go to some of the links at the bottom that page and read.

Good luck to you.

 

[Simmo!]

...that will mean you lose the habit and that's crucial.

I am totally with Andy here. Breaking the habit is the key. One thing that works for me is to get some books and whenever you want to gamble, pick up a book and read instead. Or watch a film. Or go for a walk/run - whatever floats your boat.

I quit smoking after 25 years by getting a simple cheap step machine by my desk. See, whenever I had a coffee, I wanted a ciggie. After a meal, I wanted a ciggie etc, etc. Habit. So at those times, instead, I did 100 steps on the step machine gradually moving up to 200, 500 etc. It worked because it broke the habits and associations with having a cigarette and it also kept my fitness up and stopped me snacking!

 

[chuchu59]

Hi mates. just want to ask, how do you know that you're already addicted to gambling? and when you do, how do you get out of it? (there's quite a possibility that i am now). TIA

The words attached to my avatar says it all lol.

 

[bpb]

If you think you're addicted to gambling, you are.

 

[LaurieJim]

There are so many addictions we face in our society but the worst by far is when you take something away from your family and yourself, such as not paying your everyday living needs , such as food and shelter , these are also akin to substance abuse , if not kept in check they will destroy a family and maybe a life.

I'm not saying you are not paying your bills or anything like that but there are people that will gamble away their last dime instead of putting a roof over their families head or buying food , we have read threads in the past about this happening to decent folks who just didn't know when to STOP and it ruined their life.

If you even think you have a problem , join a non profit group who deals with this and they can help , also close out all your casinos and wipe them off your screen and change your account here to quit gaming if you want to stop gambling.

It all begins with you and you only as we know only WHAT you want us to know.

I wish you much luck !


Laurie

 

[luckiestgambler]

hi mates. i'd like to thank you all for the comments. the money that i use for gambling is my spare cash. i pay all my bills on time and i don't have a family yet so i live alone. after work, i always play; lose some, win some. and i agree that it has been a hobby. i read the links, gamcare and quit gambling and it's very helpful. i'll try to tone it down a bit. may be extend a few hours at work so that when i go home, i'll just sleep. i'll keep you posted. thanks again.

 

[conker]

I think its clear from most of the comments in this thread that it is important to stop it becoming a habit. You say you play every night after work, so maybe cut that to twice a week. It sounds like you are taking steps now which mean you can still enjoy gambling without it ruling your life. I hope it all works out.

 

[lotusch]

Some great posts and feedback to the OP sofar and also fair play to Andy to give some decent advice as a casino rep.
I can speak my 2 bits on this matter as well.
I guess I am long enough around here to open up about it a bit more.

When younger I used to play alot in landbased casino's in The Netherlands especially when I was still a student.
Always short for money I tried to upgrade my bankroll by playing slots sometimes with dire concequences ending up broke,no money for rent,food or any stuff for the full remainder of the month.
Ending up having massive debts with bank and CC companies and even with friends and family.
At the time online gambling was nearly non existant or I didn't know much about it so all my money went to those darn landbased casino's.
At a certain point I was so down the hill I decided enough is enough and I went for professional help,got my life sorted again and my finances rearranged.
I had to quit gambling immediatelly and go to a therapy session twice every week,also I had a councilor who helped me sorting out my bills/debts and stuff.
Thank God I experienced this ultimate low in my life because after that it changed the way I was living my life drasticly.
At the time of my addiction I was single so no one to harm but myself but I learnt a valuable lesson,this is now like 15 years ago I am talking about.


I loved slots,I still love slots and yes I do still play slots BUT .......................

Difference with 15 years ago is that I am married now,have 2 gorgeous daughters,have a good and steady job and first thing that happens when my wages come in is pay the bills,buy food,buy stuff for my girls if needed,put some money in my savings and THEN we will see what is left for a bit of gambling fun.

So it can be done.

I mean,I now can put a limit to what I can spare for gambling.
Mostly I deposit a X amount into my Skrill account and play with that,if it is gone I will not play until my next wages come in.
Sometimes I can play months with winnings I have had paid into my Skrill and some months when not so lucky I might not play for 3 weeks or so.

This way I can still enjoy gambling but in a much more responsible way,and my wife is okay with that.
Sometimes when I do land a big win I share some winnings with her or buy her something nice.


Regards,

Mark.

EDIT: Just to clarify I am now debt free (except my mortgage offcourse) for many years and only play what i can pay! ^^

 

[RRicav]

Hi mates. just want to ask, how do you know that you're already addicted to gambling? and when you do, how do you get out of it? (there's quite a possibility that i am now). TIA

Hello

I think that answering this 20 questions will help you to check if you are in trouble.

Thanks

1. Did you ever lose time from work or school due to gambling?
2. Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?
3. Did gambling affect your reputation?
4. Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?
5. Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties?
6. Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?
7. After losing did you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses?
8. After a win did you have a strong urge to return and win more?
9. Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone?
10. Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling?
11. Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling?
12. Were you reluctant to use "gambling money" for normal expenditures?
13. Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself or your family?
14. Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned?
15. Have you ever gambled to escape worry, trouble, boredom or loneliness?
16. Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to finance gambling?
17. Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?
18. Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble?
19. Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling?
20. Have you ever considered self-destruction or suicide as a result of your gambling?

source:

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

 

[dionysus]

Hello

I think that answering this 20 questions will help you to check if you are in trouble.

Thanks

1. Did you ever lose time from work or school due to gambling?
2. Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?
3. Did gambling affect your reputation?
4. Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?
5. Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties?
6. Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?
7. After losing did you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses?
8. After a win did you have a strong urge to return and win more?
9. Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone?
10. Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling?
11. Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling?
12. Were you reluctant to use "gambling money" for normal expenditures?
13. Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself or your family?
14. Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned?
15. Have you ever gambled to escape worry, trouble, boredom or loneliness?
16. Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to finance gambling?
17. Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?
18. Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble?
19. Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling?
20. Have you ever considered self-destruction or suicide as a result of your gambling?

source:

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

lol, I'm a pretty recreational gambler ie I really don't play a lot, but Hell, even most of those questions apply to me
4 of course - I feel guilty about a lot of purchases I make
6. I work at home and should be working, but go a run at slots for a few hours
9. yup - don't most people? I mean, slots are designed to take your $
10. mooooooom, I busted out..can I borrow another twenty? (B and M)
14 all the time - many a time I've seen the sun come up - but that applies to any activity where I'm enjoying myself
15. of course - I don't play when I'm busy, I play when I'm bored
17. so does Mario - too much of any video entertainment and little characters spin behind my eyelids
19. of course - B and Ms have alcohol and buffets - great place to go out for an evening

 

[bpb]

lol, I'm a pretty recreational gambler ie I really don't play a lot, but Hell, even most of those questions apply to me
4 of course - I feel guilty about a lot of purchases I make
6. I work at home and should be working, but go a run at slots for a few hours
9. yup - don't most people? I mean, slots are designed to take your $
10. mooooooom, I busted out..can I borrow another twenty? (B and M)
14 all the time - many a time I've seen the sun come up - but that applies to any activity where I'm enjoying myself
15. of course - I don't play when I'm busy, I play when I'm bored
17. so does Mario - too much of any video entertainment and little characters spin behind my eyelids
19. of course - B and Ms have alcohol and buffets - great place to go out for an evening

19 is kind of dumb, but I'm a recreational gambler for whom 4,6,9,10,14,15,17 don't apply. I sure wouldn't be so dismissive of the results if I answered that way to 8/20 questions.

 

[dionysus]

I'm not at all worried several of those Qs apply to me - I don't much go out or to bars, movies, dinner etc so for me, gambling is my entertainment...I'm a homebody..I stay at home with the dogs and work from my couch..I play with what is from my entertainment allowance, and my WDs have paid my rent probably a dozen times.

 

[luckiestgambler]

thank you for the questionnaire, this is what i actually got: You answered Yes to 11 questions.Most compulsive gamblers will answer 'Yes' to at least 7 of these questions. yes, i'm trying to cut it off to may be twice a week. i've extended my work time last night and may be tonight too. i think i'll just go to a bar for a drink then go directly to sleep.