First signals of loss of control: what to look for

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Loss of control does not happen in one evening - this is a series of small digressions: "another 5 minutes," "I will raise the limit a little," "I will make an advance, then I will return." Below are early markers that are easier to notice and fix before big problems.

1) 15 early signals across five regions

A. Money

1. Microdocides are off-schedule. "Perepina symbolically" between the main replenishment.

2. Erasing the boundaries of wallets. Spend "game" from the card for everyday life or vice versa.

3. Rationalization of spending. Consider winnings as "reimbursement of expenses" instead of pleasure from the game.

B. Time

4. System + 10 minutes. Almost every session ends after the timer.

5. Night "finishing." You return to the game after being knocked off "for a couple of backs."

6. Game background thinking. Betting thoughts come during office/school hours.

C. Emotions and self-control

7. Game "to relieve tension." Sessions start on emotions (anger, anxiety, boredom).

8. Craving for "dogon" after minus. The plan is forgotten if you want to quickly "return."

9. Euphoria after plus. I would like to immediately increase the rates "catch the wave."

D. Behaviour and transparency

10. Petty secrecy. Erase the history of tabs, "forget" to mention the amounts.

11. Impulsive game switches. Throw the plan and jump "where the feeling calls."

12. Ignoring reality checks. Mark the reminder and continue without pause.

E. Body and life

13. Sleep failures. Lie down later than usual because of "a little more."

14. Physical stress. Shoulder stiffness, dry mouth, shallow breathing while playing.

15. Worsening routine. You miss basic things: dishes, cooking, short tasks.

2) Stop Now thresholds

Money: ≥1 an unscheduled deposit per week or monthly spending on a game> 1-2% of income.

Time: ≥2 timer violations/week or ≥3 night sessions after 11 p.m.

Emotions: entering the game with a level of anger/anxiety/euphoria ≥ 6/10.

Behavior: at least 1 case of conscious stealth per week.

Body: 2 consecutive nights with sleep <6.5 hours due to play.

Any threshold is active → the game is prohibited until the rules are revised.

3) Self-test "90 seconds" before entering

Rate on a scale of 0-10: anger, anxiety, fatigue, drowsiness, craving to "return."

Any 2 indicators ≥6 - do not play.

One ≥6 indicator - pause 30 minutes + breathing "box" 4-4-4-4 × 8 cycles and reassessment.

HALT: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired - if any is active, the session is rescheduled.

4) "Micro-trait" disciplines: 4 rules that keep the system

1. Fixed rate: 0.5-1% of the current bankroll; prohibition of dogons.

2. Timer 20-25 min + reality check every 15-20 min (mandatory pause 60 sec).

3. Stop loss 2-3% BR/Stop wine 5-10% BR - and exit without "one more time."

4. Not a single unscheduled deposit. Replenishment - only on a schedule from "discretion."

5) One-page diary (6-line template)

1. Session plan (time, rate, SL/SW).

2. Facts (BR start/final, game, duration).

3. Result (+/ −), unscheduled deposits (Y/N).

4. Emotions 0-10 before/after.

5. Violations (timer/catch/limits).

6. One lesson + one rule correction.

💡 Early signals become apparent when there are records of 5-7 consecutive days.

6) Protocol for 24-72 hours if 3 + signals are noticed

Step 1. Stop (10 minutes). Close the game; breathing 4-4-4-4 × 8 cycles; a glass of water; short walking.

Step 2. Technical barriers (10 minutes). Turn on the cool-off for 72 hours; put the daily limit of the card "Game" = 0; delete saved cards; activate the "gambling" blocker (PIN for a trusted person).

Step 3. Analysis (15 minutes). Fill in the "6 lines" for the last two sessions; Select 1 edit (for example, − 30% of the time, rate ≤0,7% BR).

Step 4. Social anchor (5 minutes). Write buddy: "Pause 72h, here's my edit: [...]. Check that the limits are worth it."

Step 5. Sleep/everyday life. Remove screens 45-60 minutes before bedtime; tomorrow - 20 minutes of walking and one household task "to switch."

7) Prevention: how to prevent signal accumulation

Game windows. Play only at pre-selected hours (e.g. 12: 00-18: 00), no night sessions.

Splitting budgets. "Five containers": Obligatory / Reserve / Purpose / Discretion / Game.

50/30/20 rule for winnings. 50% → reserve, 30% → goals, 20% → bankroll (but not higher than the monthly ceiling).

Weekly review 10 minutes. Count:% compliance with stop losses, zero unscheduled deposits, duration of sessions, emotions at the entrance.

Mindfulness mini-practices. 3-minute pause before the session; "urge surfing" 90 seconds at thrust.

8) Early warning dashboard (5 metrics)

NED (No Extra Deposits): weeks without unscheduled deposits (target - growing series).

SRL (Stop-loss Respect Level):% of sessions where SL is met (target ≥80%).

ERT (Emotion Reaction Time): seconds from pulse to technique application (target <30 sec).

BRV (rate spread): standard deviation/average rate (low = good).

RCP (response to reality check):% pauses without ignoring (target ≥90%).

9) Frequent self-moods - and how to turn them off

"Today is an exception." Answer: there are no exceptions in the system - there are procedures. Any exception = pause signal.

"Five more minutes." Answer: move the timer to shorter (22 minutes) and put the autologist out.

"I'll beat it off right now." Answer: this is a dogon → immediate exit, recording "6 lines," cool-off 24-72 hours.

10) The bottom line

Early signals are soft beacons that save money, nerves and relationships if spotted in time. Keep a short self-test, hard Stop Now thresholds, one standard diary and protocol for 24-72 hours. So the game remains a controlled leisure, and does not become a source of problems.