I was not addicted to gambling, however, I was addicted to narcotic pain killers and alcohol.

Like you, my life was spiraling out of control. I knew I needed help so I drove myself to the emergency room and went into detox where I stayed for 4 days. After detox, I went into an IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) which lasted for 3 weeks. My counselors thought I needed more treatment so I had additional counseling.

I had to be willing to do everything it took to save my life because I was going downhill fast and I just wanted to stop the insanity! The IOP and counseling helped me but what really helped me the most were the 12 steps of AA. Throughout all the treatment I had, regular attendance at AA meetings were a requirement. I got a sponsor and did the steps and to be honest, the 12 steps saved my life!

That was over 9 years ago. Today I have a great life and I have never been happier. Good luck on your path to recovery. May you find Peace and happiness along the way.

God Bless

When I drink my inhibitions go away. Then my compulsion to win kicks into gear. I too would gamble when I drank and I would lose big time.

The issue is the brain and the production of endorphins. When you win you get a reward and feel good. But when you lose you just want the good feeling again so the bets go up.

Bottom line. I couldn’t quit on my own, I tried but it was impossible. I found help in from other alcoholics

1is2many

What are you willing to do about this.
Same thing, same result
Different thing, different result
1-2

Hello Katie580,

Hearing from other people who are dual addicted may give you encouragement and hope for the future but it will take action on your part in order to reclaim your life from those addictions.

The good news is that your life could change for the better in a very short time but you will probably need outside help to get to that point. Pride and fear often prevent people from looking for help but there comes a time when you just have to grasp the nettle and go for it. Have an honest talk with your doctor and find out what services are available in your area.

Alcoholics Anonymous would be a good place to start.
Reading posts on DS will help but direct action on your part will bring positive results.
The best time to take action is TODAY.

I have numerous addictions. Thankfully AA keeps things in check for me.

Hi, Katie I just like to say I am 37 days sober as of today. My journey started when I admitted myself to detox and decided to do inpatient. I knew with drinking for over 15 years. I knew there was something else going on. So I was diagnosed with PTSD, Depression, and Anxiety. They got me on the right medicine. Now I am doing IOP. But a dual diagnosis one. To help me identify my mental disorder to overcome that disorder to figure out the me without the disorder as well as no more substan ce. The biggest struggle I have is identify my emotions, feelings, and balancing my thoughts. Because with substance abuse it just masked all those things I was going through. I am taking it one day at a time. Continuing to go to AA meetings. So I know it wont happen over night. But with the work put into it. It will be worth it in they end. God is good. I am grateful where I stand today!!

I took an online course on addiction. Gambling Addiction and alcoholism affect the same area of the brain, the reward system. You use the same methods to treat both addictions. Alanon is a program for co-dependence, those affected by the alcoholic actions. It isn’t a place to go for gambling addiction. AA is not a place to go for gambling addiction. They will silence you if you talk about gambling. They want to make it a place for alcoholic only. I have witnessed many arguments in AA, when someone talks about a different addition.

There is one simple fact in both addictions. The compulsion is hard wired in the brain. This means that no matter how long you stay sober, or refrain from gambling, once you take one drink or one roll of the dice, the compulsion kicks in and you cannot stop. Willpower comes into play in not taking the first drink or gamble with cards.

You need to develop some health rewards. When I drank I did nothing. Today I am active in my photography. I built the computer that I am using. I take on line courses in various subjects. With the money that I have now that I used to waste on my addiction, I travel. Since I got sober, I have travelled to China, Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, Vietnam, India and Mongolia. You need to find something other than drinking for rewards. It could be cooking or flower arranging or, hiking, you name it and do it.

AA is a good fit for many alcoholics. It wasn’t good fit for me. I frequently bought a bottle of Sake after an AA meeting. The 12 steps depend upon a higher power. I don’t have a higher power. I do it myself. I attained sobriety using DS (Daily Strength). There is also a Gambling forum on DS:

https://www.dailystrength.org/group/gambling-addiction-recovery

In April I will go to a city that you should avoid, Las Vegas. I am going to a Neuro Science Conference. I don’t like gambling, so it is not a problem for me. When I go toe Vegas, in my spare time I go hiking outside the city.