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...

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Qwit4Good 05/09/2017

It amazes me that I have gone this long without a bet. I am the person that could not quit for two weeks. When a paycheck came in I was feeding into a machine, after I paid off a payday loan so I could get another when this check ran out. I am the person who thought I could not quit. I am the person that continued to gamble all the way to doing illegal things. I am the person who was facing prison because of my gambling and seriously considering suicide. I am the person who was bankrupt in every way possible. I am whole again thanks to good therapy, a good support group, and heroic work on childhood issues, grief, loss, anger, resentment, and much more. (Not that I have resolved it all.) I am present in the moment now, more honest with myself and others than I have ever been, eating, sleeping and exercising healthier than ever, spend more time socializing and more time meditating than ever before in my life.
It all started one day at a time asking only progress, not perfection from myself.
Thank you daily strength community for being here.
Love and light.

healing57 05/09/2017

Congratulations! That is awesome. You have been such an inspiration to me. I just passed 11 months. How did you celebrate your one year anniversary? I want to do something, it's not just another day. Good job!

skip88 05/09/2017

Congrats, hard work and perseverance pay off. You are proof of that my friend. Having faith lets you overcome all your fears. God Bless

Qwit4Good 05/10/2017

One year anniversary was celebrated with my face to face support group. They put a little paper crown on me, gave me dollar store gifts and cards. I re-read, aloud, my goodbye to gambling, I had written nearly a year earlier and talked about how I managed to get to a full year. It was a much harder year than the last year and 1/2 since then. It has gotten easier for me to just get the abstinence in and to create a routine that shows I care for myself.
I am basically reparenting myself, being the good parent to myself that I never had. Learning to set boundaries and to be painfully honest with myself and others. Thanks all for your support. Skip, you are proof too. Newgirl, so glad I have been an inspiration, It was an accident. Perhaps a beautiful one.

kssnewlife 05/10/2017

That is awesome. It gives me hope that I can do this. This past weekend was one week and I am proud that I did not go. The thought entered my mind and I just stayed focus on the bigger picture... me. Again congrats to you and everyone who is making the change to be gambling free.

Robin-Mc 05/10/2017

Qwit! Congratulations on TWO AND A HALF YEARS! It's no surprise to me that you've made it this far, because your posts tell me the story of exactly how hard you've worked for your beautiful recovery. I'm right behind you, yet still by your side. Keep up the loving journey.

itsjustmeagain 05/10/2017

bravo....very proud, its nice to it's possible...

Qwit4Good 05/11/2017

Thanks all for the support and kind words. Something I've learned to do is to make routines that are healthy and practice them in the calmer, less chaotic times so that I can do them more easily in the crazy times. My recovery is not a first aid kit on the shelf to take the tools out when I am hurting or in trouble. Rather it is a way of life and daily practices that promote me becoming the best person I can be in a healthy way.
Take care all - hugs and prayers.

Ttkyerkes 05/11/2017

This gives me hope that being game free is possible. I have to say, I haven't been to a meeting yet since my last episode in about 2 months but reading everyones stories here have truly helped me since Ive been coming to this site every day. I since made my last bet on friday May 5th.

I haven't gambled at a casino since Wed last week may 3, but ended up gambling on Friday at one of those stupid machines in the bar that payout a little bit. Well, anyway today is day 5. Pray tomorrow is day 6. Thank you for all your hope and inspiration! Quit4good, thank you to know it's possible!

losergal 05/12/2017

Good for you! I feel the same, no more payday loans, no more having barely enough to live. Pat yourself on the back.

Robin-Mc 05/13/2017

Qwit, you give me so much hope ❤️

pennyluv 05/14/2017

Wow, that is amazing! Thank you for being here.....

losergal 06/02/2017

I admire that;hope I can get through my current IRS file and get sick looking at win/loss statements for 2010. But I can do it, yes I can!

Qwit4Good 06/02/2017

The good thing about going through hell is that other scary things pale in comparison. Losergal: You have likely already been through worse than the IRS file win/loss statements - in fact making them was probably more hell than looking at them. Once you get through this time you should not have to look at them again, EVER! Unless you want to use them as a tool to remind yourself why you no longer gamble. (Maybe take a picture.) Good thing to include in a good bye and good riddance to gambling letter.
I am glad to be alive and Gamble-Free another day, a lovely one in my part of the country. Everything is blooming, it is 74 degrees and local strawberries are about to be harvested.

pennyluv 06/02/2017

I am so happy for you and so glad you are here for me and others like me :-)). Thank you for all your support. Happy anniversary!

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