I was in treatment for gambling for about 6 months. Then I moved to another city and lost touch with my counselor. I got a new job, moved into a nice, cozy apartment and then...

I began to feel stressed about my finances. When I first knew I had a problem, I had only gambled at the casino. I signed papers to have myself self-excluded from many of the casinos in my state. However, there is one that wasn't included in the self-exclusion and it's an hour away. Lottery tickets and online gambling didn't even come to mind when I first started gambling. This time, it started out with lottery tickets. I won about $200... lost quite a bit more than that. Then I decided that I should try the casino out... because, you know, I could control myself. That didn't happen. I've been to the casino twice a week for the last month or so. I feel so guilty and disgusted with myself. I've lied to people that I love... people that love and trust me. People who have let me borrow money. People that I swore up and down to that I wasn't gambling anymore.

I began to realize that I was taking time away from the dogs that I dearly love. They are all I have. So, I decided that I should just try online gambling thinking it would be less of a hassle, I wouldn't need to leave my home and I could cuddle up with my dogs while doing so. I feel like such a piece of crap. I've gone through so much money... money that I needed for bills and food and gas... 

I'm so tired of it. I'm tired of being broke and thinking that, if I can just get one big win, I'll be okay and I can stop. I know deep down inside that that isn't true. So, I am hoping that being a part of this group helps me stay accountable and stay away from all forms of gambling.