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...
1st off I want to thank everyone that posts on here and that has responded in order to help me. I hope everyone is doing well.
Yesterday has been 2 weeks since my last bet placed. The 1st week I had withdrawals and strong urges to bet on sports games.
The 2nd week has been so much easier. Since not wasting time with handicapping and following sports events that I used to bet I have been so much more productive with having more time. I'm going to list some positives down below.
My workouts in the gym and when I go jogging are so much better and not rushed bc I want to handicap games and gamble.
Relationship is better bc I appreciate my wife more and actually listen to her instead of half listening bc my mind was constantly on gambling.
I've been cooking more foods and trying new recipes.
I've appreciated being around others more.
Enjoying my job more.
Sleep so much better.
Valuing $ by working hard and saving it the right way.
I've lost some body fat. Trying to get in the best shape of my life.
I can keep going but overall I'm not really thinking about gambling. Every so often it crosses my mind but that's it. Not replaying bad losses that experienced in the past as much.
My mind is focused on my marriage, workouts, eating healthy and being more thankful in life.
I know I have a long way to go but this time I feel different and very determined.
The chances of winning $ by gambling and the rush that it provides me when gambling is not worth all the positives I experience when not gambling. Life is better without.
I hope everyone is having a great weekend and staying gamble free.
Yesterday has been 2 weeks since my last bet placed. The 1st week I had withdrawals and strong urges to bet on sports games.
The 2nd week has been so much easier. Since not wasting time with handicapping and following sports events that I used to bet I have been so much more productive with having more time. I'm going to list some positives down below.
My workouts in the gym and when I go jogging are so much better and not rushed bc I want to handicap games and gamble.
Relationship is better bc I appreciate my wife more and actually listen to her instead of half listening bc my mind was constantly on gambling.
I've been cooking more foods and trying new recipes.
I've appreciated being around others more.
Enjoying my job more.
Sleep so much better.
Valuing $ by working hard and saving it the right way.
I've lost some body fat. Trying to get in the best shape of my life.
I can keep going but overall I'm not really thinking about gambling. Every so often it crosses my mind but that's it. Not replaying bad losses that experienced in the past as much.
My mind is focused on my marriage, workouts, eating healthy and being more thankful in life.
I know I have a long way to go but this time I feel different and very determined.
The chances of winning $ by gambling and the rush that it provides me when gambling is not worth all the positives I experience when not gambling. Life is better without.
I hope everyone is having a great weekend and staying gamble free.
The last things it's nice to start appreciating things that are non gambling related. When in gambling mode at times it's like I can care less about everything that's non gambling related.
Now if gambling crosses my mind I say something in my mind like screw you gambling I'm not doing it. Life's better without you.
Thanks for posting this message full of hope and determination.
Welcome back to the world and congratulations on realizing what truly is important and taking action to demonstrate it.
I too believe, I feel different this time...not totally explainable is it, just stronger and determined.
Keep it up, we are all here to support one another....nice isn't it!
It's definitely nice being away from it. Things are going to even get better staying gamble free for me and I want the same for everyone on here.
1 day at a time.
I hope everyone has a great gamble free week. Go and do something positive every single day.
The best advice I can give you is to have a solid plan in place for a possible moment of weakness. Do it now, while your head is clear and you are feeling strong.
I haven't gambled since Jan 2014. I am blessed not to have been troubled by urges, but I do have a plan in place if they strike. I banned myself for life from all of the casinos in my state. I maintain a written worksheet of my progress in paying off my debts and rebuilding my finances. I've projected my debt free date so that it is real. I also begun to identify and address the underlying reasons for developing this addiction. Most of the time, money has very little to do with it.
Most of all, I truly accepted that I can never, ever gamble like a normal person. Not now, not 30 years from now. Never. One spin of the slots and I am 100% certain I will end up where I was on Jan 20, 2014.
Make a plan and work it. Make yourself accountable to it.
You're on the right track!