Give Up Gambling For Good
Uncle Daryl Smith, photo: James Henry
I’m a youth outreach worker with the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service. I do a bit of everything. Sometimes, when you’ve been through hard times, you can pass on a bit of knowledge to other people. If I can help keep kids out of trouble – including with gambling – I’m happy.
The first time I tried pokies in the local pub, I won – pretty big, a couple of hundred bucks. I thought, ‘This is mine! How easy is this?’ After that night, I couldn’t wait to get back and play them.
Because I have suffered from problem gambling for 24 years, and am still suffering from the cause and effects of problem gambling i.e. Although this book may be written from a British point of view I would like to say that I am global in my thinking and I feel that problem gambling. Giving up Gambling. Today I lost a lot of money and not for the first time, and over the years I have racked up debts into the thousands bearing in mind I am only 22years only! And because of this horrible addiction I feel terrible that I have lied to family and friends, I never have any money and that's what pulls me to gamble to try and keep. Even if you have decided to try to cut down and control your gambling, it is a good idea to first stop for 2-3 weeks and see how it feels to be without gambling in your life. If the idea of a break from gambling horrifies you, it may be a sign that you need to give up! Gambling Good for your Brain. HealthStatus Team 4 4 0. As we get older we stop using parts of our brain and these areas become weaker and can lead to faster senility, but there are things that can help slow down this process and kelp keep your brain strong well into the latter years of your life.
You think you know your limits, but there’s something about gambling that just grabs hold of you. The lights, the music, the colours – they’re hypnotising. And the next button you press is going to be the big one. The only time you leave is when you’ve got no money left.
Give Up Gambling For Good Luck
The pressure builds
It’s like graduating: you start off in the local pubs, then you go to the bigger pubs, and then you go to the big one: the casino. You’re thinking, ‘Gee, if I win big, I can give my family some money. They can buy clothes, buy this and that. Maybe a car.’ But that never happens. It’s degrading, walking out of a venue with no money.
I felt worthless, not even good enough to talk to people. And gambling itself makes you antisocial. I remember one time playing the pokies, I was so into it, one of my mates sat next to me and I didn’t even talk to him. You just want to be alone.
The next button you press is going to be the big one. The only time you leave is when you’ve got no money left.
I had a good job with The Age newspaper. My responsibility was getting the newspapers bundled and out to the truck drivers going to the newsagents. This included shift work. I’d call into a couple of venues on the way home, at five or six in the morning. You’re wide awake and you want to do something. At work on Mondays, I’d tell them how much I’d lost at the pokies. And then it got to the point where I didn’t tell them. ‘Hey Daz, how much did you lose on the weekend?’ I wouldn’t say.
It felt like there was no way out, but that if I didn’t do something, I’d lose everything. Lose my house. My kids wouldn’t want to know me.
I tell my story and feel instant relief
Years ago, I went to Alcoholics Anonymous, so when someone told me about Gamblers Anonymous, I rang them up. As soon as I walked into my first meeting, I felt relief. We sat around talking and when I got up and told my story, a load lifted from my chest. Gee, it felt good.
Gamblers Anonymous gave me confidence to speak up and let family and friends know what was going on with me. Everyone was supportive.
I also learnt tips at Gamblers Anonymous, including: if you drive past a venue on the way home from work, take another route, even up side streets. Don’t go past venues or pubs with pokies: ‘Come in for a free meal!’ Don’t even look at them.
When you’re giving up gambling, the important thing is to hang in there.
After going to Gamblers Anonymous for a couple of months, I thought I’d kicked the habit. But I hadn’t. I’d go to a hotel and, if I got bored, I’d just go into the gaming room to have a look, not to play. But then I’d only play five bucks. Then $10, then $20, then $100. With Alcoholics Anonymous, the worst drink to have is the first drink. With gambling, the worst bet to have is the first bet.
There’s no quick fix with giving up gambling.
Getting better and better
Someone said to me, ‘If you put that money into a Christmas Club account, just imagine how much you’d have at the end of the year.’ And I thought, ‘100 bucks a week – that’s five grand!’
I started taking up different interests. I became a soldier in the Salvation Army, I did ballroom dancing, including a bit of competition, I joined the CFA (Country Fire Authority). I enjoyed it all, and still do. I go to the gym and try to look after myself and keep active. I always make sure I’m available for my grandkids.
When you’re giving up gambling, the important thing is to hang in there. It’s never too late to give up. If you stop for a while, and then gamble again, have another go at giving up. Keep doing it. You’ll get better and better.
How to get support
Gambler’s Help services are free and private. Call 1800 858 858 any day, any time.
There are also gambling workers you can have a yarn with in four Aboriginal co-ops:
Give Up Gambling For Good Money
- Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative: phone (03) 5820 0000
- Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative: phone (03) 5150 0700
- Victorian Aboriginal Health Service: phone (03) 9419 300
- Mallee District Aboriginal Services: phone (03) 5018 4100