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...
Hi all am reaching out to everyone I had a drink problem iv been drink and drug free 11yrs but the gambling has killed me for 6yrs I can go to ga meeting its not for me theres nothink else now but I need ur help how can I stop I know wot it is I have a problem with me am over weight am lonely single I miss getting drunk going out hsving a laugh I have mental health problems I just dont know were to start I have lost it all I have nothink for my house I haven't payed my bills this month am so scared am in about 40 grand in dept am not happy I just want to change all this and you all have helped me before thank you for listening (Hug s)
its a start to end the madness, we have all been thru it, you can do it, start small, minute by minute - breathe, relax, read - go outside, get your brain clear
Can you go to therapy? Is there someone you trust to talk to? I found out through therapy that I fell into addictions -- gambling, shopping, food -- because I was trying to fill a hole. I didn't feel a sense of self-worth unless I was achieving something or doing more or doing better than anyone else. And because that sort of thing is unsustainable throughout the entirety of one's life -- there are ups and downs -- I tried to fill the void during the dark times with gambling, shopping, and delicious food.
Except it doesn't work. And it sounds like you were trying to fill your void with alcohol, and now you are trying with gambling.
You have to know that you are worth it. That you and your life, your health, your family, your relationships and your career are worth being strong for. That quitting and going through therapy and GA meetings and whatever else you have to do in order to quit may be amongst the hardest things you'll ever have to do, but one of the most valuable things you'll ever do as well.
Hang in there. We're here for you.
We are social animals if we do not bond with others we will bond with something. Check out this YouTube video on addiction it is one of my favorites: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHMBJRShji4
Self ban, having a payee or someone else hold your money, credit, debit cards etc. Make a list of what triggers you to gamble and write out a plan to do something other than gambling for each trigger. (Triggers are people, places, things, feelings, situations that give you an urge to gamble.)
Therapy was helpful to me - and it generally is helpful in equal proportion to the amount of work the individual puts does.
Do other things, get involved in your community, revive old friendships, make new friendships, make play dates, be honest with yourself and others. Enlist the help of any friends you trust, if you have no one you trust it is time to make new friends. Other 12 step meetings can easily substitute for a GA meeting in a pinch, just change the word alcohol, co-dependence, narcotics, or whatever to gambling. Start a gratitude diary and write done one thing per day you are grateful for. Volunteer somewhere. Forgive others and forgive yourself.
Read, read, read here and through your library and online, to educate yourself about gambling addiction and recovery and addiction in general.
It helped me to listen to Louise Hay on YouTube about "how to love yourself". Writing a goodbye to gambling can be helpful and then re-read it when you have an urge to gamble. If you gamble online, consider using gamblock.
All you really need to quit gambling is honesty with yourself and others, open-mindedness to try new things, and the willingness to change.
Be kind and patient with yourself.
Prayer helps but remember your higher power is not a fist aid kit, only to run to when in trouble, it is a relationship and way of life.
Try everything, do everything you can to get between yourself and gambling, regardless of what you have lost up to now, you do not need to lose any more.
Hugs and Prayers