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...
2 totally unrelated things actually, but things that have been on my mind for a while that I wanted to share.
As I teach myself how not to drive to the casino every time it enters my mind, I have been increasingly turning to online slot games (that cost money). Not games that I could win money on, just games that cost money to play. One of these games was on Facebook. I wrote directly to the support email of the game and asked them if they could block me from being able to buy credits there and explained I had a gambling problem. Much to my surprise, they wrote back and agreed to block my access to the game. They were extremely helpful, kind and honored my request. Just wanted to share that because if anyone else is having these online issues, maybe a simple email to the site asking them to ban you permanently due to your gambling problems, might work ! Worth a try right ?
Secondly, I"m not sure who used this term here on DS, but someone mentioned the words 'pushing through it', when discussing getting through a gambling urge and not acting on it. These 3 words have changed my life. I have no idea why, but it has. That's it ? I just need to 'push through it' ? I'm not claiming I don't have a lifetime of effort to put in to my goals with gambling, but this has made a big difference in my way of thinking. Thank you to whoever said that.
Hope everyone is having a great Sunday.
DarlingD
As I teach myself how not to drive to the casino every time it enters my mind, I have been increasingly turning to online slot games (that cost money). Not games that I could win money on, just games that cost money to play. One of these games was on Facebook. I wrote directly to the support email of the game and asked them if they could block me from being able to buy credits there and explained I had a gambling problem. Much to my surprise, they wrote back and agreed to block my access to the game. They were extremely helpful, kind and honored my request. Just wanted to share that because if anyone else is having these online issues, maybe a simple email to the site asking them to ban you permanently due to your gambling problems, might work ! Worth a try right ?
Secondly, I"m not sure who used this term here on DS, but someone mentioned the words 'pushing through it', when discussing getting through a gambling urge and not acting on it. These 3 words have changed my life. I have no idea why, but it has. That's it ? I just need to 'push through it' ? I'm not claiming I don't have a lifetime of effort to put in to my goals with gambling, but this has made a big difference in my way of thinking. Thank you to whoever said that.
Hope everyone is having a great Sunday.
DarlingD
you "pushed through it" on the internet and not acting on the urge.
the posts here offer so much advice it is unbelievable.
I find them just as good if not better than meetings.
I too know that I will be working all my life to keep this addiction in check.
You are doing it and being helpful to others in there quest for recovery.
way to go.
congrats !!!
it was posted some time ago.
have a wonderful gamble free life.
i have been playing Facebook games as well but I never purchase any credits. The reason why is what do you get from playing those games? Simply Nothing!!! so why purchase something for nothing! The reason shy I play Facebook games are: 1. To kill time 2. Just in case I really just love to play slot games even for nothing 3. Everyday I make sure I will loose all my credits to prove all the games are created EQUAL.
JC, I totally hear what you're saying about getting nothing 'for sure' by paying money for the Facebook games, but I got nothing by playing at real casino slot games. I knew, before I even left the house that I would be coming home with a big fat ZERO amount of cash. So the trick I let my mind play on me was that instead of blowing a grand at the casino, I'll just spend $100 on Facebook. I get it. Its absurd thinking either way, but I'm still happy the Facebook game cut me off. Another night home and another night with my money in my pocket (or at least a little more to pay off some debt). Happy evening everyone.
They are setting up for the online gambling eventually, currently it is still illegal to operate online gambling in the state.
It is "scary" the number of casinos that are going up and the amount of gambling that is out there in different venues.
lottery, online, CHURCH bingo, those tickets from the school kids to win something??
It is an abundance of "I want something for nothing" attitude.
My point being that....
we must really work this program which helps with the steps to look inside yourself and to start to believe that only a "thing" of higher power can help us addicts to NOT gamble. To attend GA come here to hear others stories of recovery and feel understood and a belonging and to do service to help other addicts etc which gets us out of ourselves and away from the self-centeredness of addiction.
Let's make a difference in this CRAZY, FAST-PACED, MIXED UP, GAMBLING WORLD.
Let's show them that we as a vast and very strong community and fellowship can make a difference and stand up as examples of what life without gambling and the attachment to obsession and compulsion and just plain "wanting something for nothing" and the easy way is NOT what life is about. NOT what God would ever have intended for his people and for our world. NOT anywhere near an example of a loving, compassionate and generous spirit that HE intended and provided a pattern for in the Bible for us to follow.
Let's shout loud and proud for the world to hear- "WE DON'T GAMBLE" .
It is going to take our constant attention to not get hooked on all the forms of gambling out there and not to let addiction run rampant or to take on other forms as well.
A most happy gamble free life.
Thanks for sharing.
I have just deleted all my fb casino games as well and have found that replacing it with things that are a little more stimulating like brain games and text twist and word games are helpful replacements as I still have the enjoyment of engaging in an activity as a break from tasks or to kill a little time but they are less destructive for me. Perhaps you might enjoy them and find them a healthy replacement for you as well.
:)
Strangeseraphim, I would love to hear about some of the games you like to play. I'm all about a good brain game that keeps me busy. One game I do like is IAssociate2, or something like that.
I'm up for any and all ideas of games to keep me out of trouble and work my mind in a positive way ! Thanks to all. Another day, another dollar IN MY POCKET.