Slot Addiction Tips.

I posted here a long time ago but here I am again, year later still struggling. Does anyone have any tips for slot machine addiction? I got addicted once they passed a local ordinance to allow gambling in my town. I no longer had to drive an hour to the casino. I have been two days clean but just came off a binge. I played for so long I could see images from the slots when I closed my eyes. The way I view money is so messed up now. Anyone have any helpful tips for kicking this? Don't know if I can deal with the depression and anxiety of having another big loss.

I am sorry that you are still dealing with this addiction. It is harder to stop when machines are in many establishments in your town, such as bars and restaurants. Is that the situation? or is it just a casino there? If a casino, you can self-exclude.

Have you checked out G.A.? The biggest step to take is to consider your losses as a bad investment, rather than dwell on them to recoup.

I wish you 24 hours of not gambling.

I struggle everyday. I had done so good for 3 weeks!! Then back to day one. I feel that I am a work in progress and I am constantly talking myself out of going. This last relapse was just boredom so I went there. I felt mentally so much BETTER after those 3 weeks, thought I could handle "a few hours". NOPE, not going back! I am actually going to start seeing a psychologist. There are so many tips on this blog, you will find something that works best for you. Or try a bunch of them!

Good luck, talk to yourself, breathe deep and don't beat yourself up for this. It is truly a chemical imbalance in the brain and I really notice the difference. The addiction part though, that's the hard part for me. The "other secret life". We can do this!

My addiction is to slot machines . The things I found that helped me the most were these :

1) Make a battle plan . This is crucial . If you have a list of things that you can do to distract yourself when the urges hit , it is much easier to follow through on your resolve not to give in .

2) Tell someone , whether it is GA or a close friend or relative . Telling a friend about my addiction suddenly made me accountable . I have a problem and now somebody knows about it . The idea that somebody I cared about was watching me made me determined to not let them see me give in , to not let them down . Coming clean about my addiction removed a huge weight from my shoulders .

3) Severely restrict your access to money . Cut up credit cards , or remove the option of cash withdrawal from them . When payday comes , do everything necessary first and as soon as possible . Pay bills , pay debt , gas up the car and buy food for the house . If you have money left , put it in a bank account that you do not have a card for , preferable one that's far away from you .
If you foresee the need for more gas or food before your next payday , buy grocery / gas gift cards that cannot be redeemed for cash . Visa gift cards are ideal for this purpose . You can't gamble if you don't have money .

4) Avoid any place where there are slot machines and avoid people in your life that are still actively gambling . When friends started talking about gambling , I either changed the subject or made up an excuse to leave the conversation / area . I would drive 45 minutes out of my way just to avoid driving by the casino in my area . If I didn't see it , it couldn't trigger me . Same thing with the Internet . I deleted "free" gambling sites from my computer , refused to look at videos of slot machine play and used Ad Block to keep casino ads from popping up on my computer .

There are also a lot of good tips in our Strategies thread at the top of the page . The most important thing you can do is make the decision . It has to be a conscious choice on your part . Wishing , hoping and praying that you will be able to stop is not going to work . You must take action of your own free will . It's hard , it's uncomfortable and it will feel like Hell for the first few months . But the longer you stay away from gambling , the easier it will become to resist the urges . Every gamble-free day brings you a little more strength , a little more clarity and a little more freedom from the chains of your addiction .

You can do this LMM . It's not easy and it's not quick - but it's not impossible . Make your battle plan and start fighting back . We will help you any way we can .

Each time you go to the bar, limit your money until the day you do not have any more money to play in your pocket. Talking to relatives is also a good idea.

One thing my uncle does to don't play anymore(he can't, for other reasons) is to simulate the games on the Internet. For example: I downloaded software and spent hours playing, but without spending money. I feel better.

Personally , I do not recommend using free sites . While it may not have any impact as far as money is concerned , for a compulsive gambler it can keep the addiction "alive" in our minds and allow it an active place in our lives .

It may work for some , but for others it leaves the door open for a very possible risk of relapse .

I agree with New Sun. When I played simulated blackjack online, I find it triggers the brain, the gambling reward centers. I don't do it anymore.

Thanks for all your tips. I have taken some of the steps, I chopped up credit cards, told my girlfriend about my problem... She said she would hold my debit card for me so I am not tempted to take out money. On day 3 now, wishing the best to all of you as well. This addiction is the worst

Great that you are taking proactive steps to not have access to cash. Congrats on three days clean. Gambling is easier to give up when you realize what it really is. You are paying a form of a tax. Instead, put a few dollars here and there into a savings account. Wishing you 24 hours of no gambling.