Cutting Back FAQ

Why Cutting Back Does Not Work for the Problem Gambler

Personal History of Cutting Back

Reflecting on personal history of cutting-back, or limiting, should give you a good indication of how you would go if you cut back.

Problem Gambling Stored in Memory

People know how to do things they do repeatedly. The problem Gambler knows how to gamble out of control. They know how to deny the negative consequences of their gambling, create and believe in their justifications for gambling, and any other tactics to keep in the game. This is stored in personal memory. It is not easily forgotten, and in most cases it is here to stay.

Most people who have not been on a pushbike for a long time, and restart bicycle riding, soon get the hang of it - in many cases, straight away. Similarly, problem gambling can easily be revisited - even after a lengthy spell from gambling.

The Self-Con

Resentment (A Form of Anger)

It is resenting the idea that you have to cut back from gambling at will. This resentment can carry an element of revenge - to rebel against cutting back. To the problem gambler, cutting back usually implies restraint or delays in gratification, which is opposite to being impulsive - to gamble at will. Cutting back can set up a person to rebel and do the opposite - to go overboard with out-of-control gambling. Example: 'Out of control? - I'll show you 'out of control' '.

Self-talk

Conning yourself out of cutting back is talking yourself into problem gambling. This is chasing your wanting-to-gamble at free will. The aim of this self-talk is to try and make your 'wants' more real. The more self-con the more likely you will return to problem gambling.

Conning yourself out of something usually involves comparing, requesting, complaining, blaming, or some justification in the self-talk.

Examples:

'I've been cutting back now for awhile, surely this proves that I can control my gambling. And so, I deserve a splurge (binge) with my gambling'.

'Why do I have to cut back? Everybody else has a binge now and again, and so can I. As a matter of fact, I'm going to binge right NOW'.