[Felixx]

Hi this is my first time trying to get professional help. I have been addicted to slot machines for the past 4 to 5 years. I am now engaged to be married and it is taking a toll on my realationship. I have been to the casino and spent 10k in one shot hoping to win back my losses. However unsucessful. It was okay when i had a double figure paying job now I am unemployed and being supported by my fiance which makes my situation worst. I am distroying myself along with him. I believe my situation has increased after becoming unemployed strange enough i always go wishing I could win a months pay cheque however i end up losing a months pay cheque that i dont have coming in at the moment. Each time i visit i am traumatize and disgusted by my addiction. Today will be my first visit to the addiction centre in my country, fingers crossed.

[vera]

Overcoming the illusion that we can „win our money back” is the most difficult part of dealing with Compulsive Gambling, Felixx.
Compulsive gamblers NEVER win.
When you realize that , the illusion will shatter.
Well done on seeking help.

[kin]

For your information only:

When you are sitting in front of that machine, you are intoxicated. You have not taken a pill , you have not taken a drink, you have not put something into your vein, but that doesn’t mean your brain chemistry haven’t change. ~ Dr Robert Breen, Director, Gambling Treatment Program, Rhode Island Hospital

In 2001, Doctor Hans Breiter and colleagues at Massachusetts General hospital conducted an experiment comparing the brain of a cocaine addict receiving a dose of cocaine and a healthy control subject playing the game of chance.

You look at the brain images of the activation of the primary reward system in the center of the human brain when they are a cocaine addict expecting a cocaine infusion vs a normal control subject expecting a monetary win, we saw the same thing, they are nearly identical, I could not distinguish who have receive cocaine and who have won a gambling task. ~ Doctor Hans Breiter, Director, Motivational and Emotional Neuroscience Center, Massachuset ts General hospital

The US national gambling impact study commission called these electronic gambling machines the crack cocaine of creating new addicted gamblers. ~ John Kindt , Professor, Business and Legal Policy, University of Illinios

The Gambling industry members talk about how to keep the people playing the machine longer, faster and more intensively and the way they speak about their aim is an aim of player extinction. Keeping the player there until their budget is thoroughly exhausted , until they have zero the player out.

[janey1]

Hello and thanks for starting a thread in the Gambling Therapy forums

Here at Gambling Therapy we pride ourselves on being a caring and diverse online community who can help and support you with the difficulties you’re currently facing. We understand that this might be a tough time for you, particularly if you’re new to recovery, so come here as often as you need to and participate in the forums, access online groups and connect to the live advice helpline if you need one to one support. We’re in this together!

Here on the forum you can share your experiences in a safe, supportive and accepting environment. The beauty of writing it all down is that you can take your time and you will be creating a record of your progress that you can look back on if it ever feels like you’re not moving forward. So, share as much or as little as you like but do try to stick to keeping just one thread in this forum so people know where to find you if they want to be updated on your progress or share something with you.

As well as the forums New Members are invited to join Charles in the New Members Practical Advice Group On Mondays at 21:00 (UK) and Thursday at 19:00(UK)

And on that note….

I’m going to hand you over to our community because I’m sure they will have some words of wisdom for you ??

Take care

The Gambling Therapy Team

PS: Let me just remind you to take a look at our privacy policy and terms and conditions so you know how it all works!

[Jonny123987]

I am struggling too. This is a vicious disease.

[Felixx]

thanks for all the support I am receiving.

[Felixx]

how long if you dont mind me asking.

[vera]

For me, it’s 347 days since my last bet.
I could not do it alone but with the help I received here and at Gamblers Anonymous, I did not gamble today/this week/this month or this year.
If I can stay G free, anybody can.
It’s not easy but it IS worth it!
Just take one day at a time and say
„just for today, I will not gamble”!
I wish you all the best in your recovery.

[Autorius]

?ra?ai