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...
It's on my mind all day getting emails to gamble text message my moblie bill is 800 with gambling I can't pay it can't pay any bills how to stop this thinking it's on my mind 24.7 am sick of it even doing other things it's there but I know in my heart and head I can't gamble nomore I was taking my daughter to las vegas this year but iv got to tell her I can't go I will lose the money I payed for r he hoilday but I don't care I can't put myself there to start gambling I don't care about the money it's not about that once the gambling takes over money just paper to us thankyou for listening I will get this day over and change my life
The reason it is not about the money for us problem or compulsive gamblers is that it is about the rush. As you almost get the bonus or the royal flush your body gives your brain a shot of dopamine and serotonin. Both are neurotransmitters, chemicals produced naturally in our bodies or brains. (I'm not a neuroscientist - just got this from my counselor) Serotonin is how the Ecstasy makes people feel really good by making your body produce more Serotonin - lack of Serotonin can cause depression. While Serotonin is the "feel good" drug, Dopamine is the chemical that makes you feel "HIGH". (Like falling in love, joy, self confidence, gambling, and cocaine give a person.)
Problem and compulsive Gamblers like us are drug addicted - I would get so high on these when in the casino I could go without food or sleep for 2-3 days at a time.
The aftermath of flooding our brains with Dopamine and Serotonin
is often depression. Think of it as a crash like after too much sugar. That crash is part of why there is a very high suicide rate among problem gamblers.
It takes a month or three to get the levels of these chemicals back to normal and really start thinking clearly.
Good idea to cancel trip to Vegas unless you can change your accommodations to a dude ranch away from the strip. But there are casinos now in practically every state it seems, my state has slot machines in every bar, restaurant and deli that will have them - I have to decide to quit - the opportunities to gamble will likely never go away.
Coming to Daily Strength really helps I try to post daily - Going to GA can't hurt, finding a hobby that does not cost money is helpful - getting counseling is helpful if you work at it. I hope to see you back here. You will be welcomed here no matter what - you will not find people that understand this addiction as well as folks in recovery.
have a good, gamble-free day, today. it is possible, one day at a time.