Gambling Addiction & Recovery Support Group

Hi Lily, Just wanted to say hello, I am also a newbie and I can relate to a lot of what you said. I also am preoccupied with thoughts of the next time I can gamble (slots here, at neighborhood joints or casinos). Generally I go 3x a week and spend from 2 to 4 hours each time. Tooooo much time. I am also angry about years I am wasting. I have two young kids, and while I won't say I am missing their development, I will say that I wish I was with them more. Seems like as long as I can get my "fix", when I'm with my kids I am totally present. But if I have to miss gambling days, then I'm off in la-la land half the time, dreaming of the next time. I'm 39, been gambling since 31. Best wishes to you in starting recovery. I am not there yet but maybe someday soon I'll hit my next "bottom" and make that decision to stop.

I will look into GA. Just never helped before. But that was a while back.

Thanks for all the support! It means so much! I am still hanging on to being gamble free. I had a very close call yesterday but I didn't do it.

This addiction is exhausting in every way.

lol yeah and that be one hell of a lala land too daydream. sucks when we walk away from it broken and torn. lol lol lol

If you need to find a GA Meeting or local resources call the National Association for Problem Gamblers at 1-800-522-4700. When I was suicidal after a relapse two years ago, I call and spoke to a compas-sionate person who has been where I was. They listened and gave me a referral to GA Meetings in my area, Gambling Counselors etc. I'm praying for you. Great JOB! Keep telling, HELL NO, I won't go! God Bless

Lily, as I read your post it was like literally looking at myself. I am also 30 and I also do online gamble as well as the casino. It is so shameful and just makes you angry at yourself. I know all these feelings too well. I wish I never knew about online gambling as I had stumbled upon it a couple of years ago when I was home pregnant with my daughter and bored. It's also been very difficult for me to quit and that makes things so shameful. I want to start living the real me and beat this demon.
I have not yet to go to a GA meeting or see a therapist although I am seriously considering it and have spoken to it about my husband.
You need to know you are not alone and we are all trying to fight this addiction. If you need to talk let me know and let's try and get through this together!

My name is Terry. A intensive care nurse.
I feel your pain as I look in the mirror at myself.
If I can just make it through my shifts till Payday then get
to the casino and I will feel better.I will
have some hope that things will get better.
To feel excitement., anticipation again. A
conversation with another gambler. To hit
something brings a chance to get my
life back on track. I hear your words resound
in mine over a thousand times. We are
intelligent but succumb to this call.
It is so painful at times. Have to go forward.
I see that there is a better life out there.
I pray for you. You are so worth it. You have a
beating heart a creative mind and I
am sure people who love you. Get back in there.
For you. God Bles Terr

Lily..

Hang in there lady...you've got a whole host of people right here who know the anguish, turmoil, anger, frustration, etc. you're dealing with right now. We're right here with you.

You're doing the right thing, and have taken some big steps towards getting where you want to be. You're in the prime of your life and with diligence and perseverance you'll push through this.

it is said ..."the most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire". Grab hold of the life lines available, GA, this forum, loved ones, friends. Pull with every ounce of your being to make it to safety. But all the lifelines in the world can't do it without your help. You 've got to want. to get out from the inferno ! Tie a knot at the end of the rope, and hang on....then move those feet and legs...with you running out of the fire, there's a far better chance our ropes won't be severed by the flames.

I so related to your comment about feeling like a child sitting on the floor, throwing a temper tantrum. Well, I'm sitting right next to you, kicking and screaming! Only I'm shouting. .. Hell no, I ain't going no where near a casino or online gambling sites,"

And you know what, I'm getting my way! One kick, one scream...one day at a time!

You'll be in my thoughts and prayers. Reach out whenever you need a tug!

Tugs and hugs, all for you.

Tagg

Thank you all so much for the support! I appreciate it so so much!

And to those who relate to my story we can do this! I have thrown enough of my life away to gambling! It has tried to destroy me but I am saying enough. We can do this together! We can choose right now to say no. That is what I do every day or even every minute.

and you keep saying no girl. sure dont wanna spend the rest of your life dumping your pay check into any machines. theres better things out there for us than living that life.