Gambling Addiction & Recovery Support Group
Compulsive gambling is an urge or addiction to gamble despite harmful negative consequences or a desire to stop. A preferred term among many professionals is problem gambling, as few people described by the term experience true compulsions in the clinical sense of the word. Problem gambling often is defined by whether harm is experienced by the gambler or others rather...
I cannot begin to say how happy I am to say that I have not gambled in one entire month. It has been many years since I have been able to experience it. I was always going to gamble either every other week and sometimes daily if I won. The crazy thing is when I would get a jackpot I ended up going back to gamble the very next day. Thinking on it now I clearly was not content with the win just the rush. I have a good friend who likes yo gamble. I admitted yesterday about my addiction so that she would not ask me to go gambling or discuss what happened when she was there. That was part of my problem hearing about other people's wins and then the temptation would begin. I would think that could be me. After going and losing, reality would set in. Now I am still going to keep working daily to resist and shift my focus elsewhere.
Yes gambling addiction is crazy-making! Retelling about the process is sometimes an extension of the addiction. One can relive the dopamine/serotonin cycle and feed the addiction, talking about doing heroine for junkies is almost the same as doing it.. Same is true for other addictions.
Telling everyone and telling gamblers that I did not want to hear was one of the best things I did early on in my recovery. There are a few people here and there that cannot hush about their gambling escapades, as if they're entire self worth is dependent on the blow by blow descriptions up downs in their money supply. I happen to be deaf in one ear and have learned that I can finesse plugging the good ear while making listening motions and no one is the wiser. (Deafness in one ear has finally shown its silver lining to me.)
that does feel good
we are stronger than this unforgiving addiction
we are happier when we abstain from this addiction
there is a path without this addiction in our way
it can only be achieved one day at a time
just like life, it can only be lived one day at a time
with gratitude I accept life, on it's terms
one day at a time