Go for a walk, go for a run, talk , keep posting, clean the house, mow the lawn, basically anything that will get you tired enough to go to sleep tonight without having gambled today.
I know exactly where you are at. I've been there and I never woke up the following morning and felt I was sorry that I hadnt gambled last night , but many times I was distraught about the fact that I had. Hang in there.
There is also a lot of information online about problem gambling and actually something that I thought might be hokey but worked, and that is an online hypnosis or meditation session for compulsive gamblers. Really worked for me.
After all my ramblings here I would give that a try.
John

It's good that you have put those roadblocks in place. Keep piling them on!

When I first quit, I honestly thought I was losing my mind. My moods were erratic, I couldn't focus on anything and my anxiety was through the roof. I kept coming to the forum - reading and posting. I also began the process of imaging what my life would be when (not if) I was free from the gambling. I kept taking steps toward my goals. I tried to fill all of that time I previously spent at the casino with productive and enjoyable activities. In short - I made myself a very busy woman, but not in a stressful way (very important).

Personally, I think it is nearly impossible to do this with willpower alone. This addiction exerts a very powerful force on your brain - it alters the way we think. You need to begin the process of taking your brain back - retrain it. You need to get your brain working with you instead of against you.

You can do this.

most of us have been there, and felt that. (what you're feeling) like redsor and newlife have both said, please get busy with something productive, and find a local GA to help with the struggle.

post every hour if you have to. I did at first it seems.

and I wore myself out with activities. especially something that was mind-consuming: reading, word puzzle games, a good movie, and think that took my mind off of gambling.

come back later and post some more. ok?

thank you all very much! I know this going to be a hard journey. I feel like I have proved that when I said I was DONE DONE DONE 12 days ago I was not going to relapse for the millionth time in 10 years.

I will keep busy, keep posting, and keep staying postive. I will try to excercise and wear myself out!

Thank you to everyone, love this site, and love this community which is more like a family!

I love what new life said about willpower. Willpower will lose out every time, in the long run. where this disease is concerned.
Once I admitted and accepted in my heart that I was a compulsive gambler I began starting a life anew and knew that once I took certain actions I could remain GF one day at a time.
John

You always have my support. You were there for me now I'm here for you. I am still just 6 days gf and will be in a mental coma for months to come. Please as a father of a son like you, think of him. Think even if you win will you stop? Last 17 years of my life robbed by gaming. I was up so much I stopped only to begin and lose it all. Call your bookies. Close all accounts. Withdraw all you have or ask them to close your account if credit based. I am miserable and broke beyond imagination about to leave to see my family overseas. I don't know how I will look at them. Please don't. You can do it. Keep us updated.

Also don't even look at sports lines. That is a huge trigger for me.

Hi JM, your last line struck me -I need some advice, what do people do early in recovery to get over this feeling?
The reason is, that is what so many of us gambled to avoid. Feeling. It is super hard to not have that buffer anymore. It's hard to feel your feelings. Just try to have a plan that doesn't allow for the basic 3 things we need -T.O.M., that stands for Time, Opportunity and Money.
I think it sounds like you have a general idea of how to keep yourself busy, but just remember you are doing this for yourself.
Keep on keeping on. You'll thank yourself for it. Hugs, ~atticus

My constant reminder would be the feeling after a big loss - drained, broke, guilty, depressed, tired & alone :(

I just want to be alive and tell myself, just for today, I am not gonna gamble.

We are with you Jm!

Hugs,

Charm

aw sweetie, my advise, hold on. HOLD ON. You can get through this, I know you can, just ride the wave, it will pass, and you will be even stronger for it. Do something that will keep you busy, take your son out, go get ice cream, do something in your home or yard, take a walk, do something, and soon enough the urge will pass. You got this.

Wellll..... I MADE IT!!! I cannot tell you all how much all the support meant to me. I have learned this and EVERYONE please take this advice. When you feel you are about to slip, COME ON THIS SITE AND POST ASKING FOR HELP! It really worked for me. So many other times I would have relapsed and this time I decided to actually utilize this site not for a sounding board after I relapsed (WHICH IS OK TO DO!!), but to ask for help to prevent me from doing something stupid. I feel great!

Redsor - Your comment really stuck with me - "I've been there and I never woke up the following morning and felt I was sorry that I hadnt gambled last night , but many times I was distraught about the fact that I had. " - This helped me put in perspective how I would have felt at this moment.

Newlife - Your post made me see that this is much bigger and tougher than I thought! It really affects my brain and I need to keep my defenses up.

Stopat56 - I ended up playing games to keep my mind off sports betting - I ended up having a few too many captain and cokes though! :P

Degen4life - My friend, I feel you and I are so much a like. We are both new to this journey. We both are having a hard time getting over what we did in the past. My friend, I want you to know I appreciated you being there for me when I was weak, as I will always be there for you when you are weak as well. I took your advice and stayed away from the sportslines ;)

Atticus - The wise one, as I like to think of you. the "TOM" advice is something I never heard before and really makes sense. This will be a good tool for the future! You have helped so much in the past and I know you will going forward!

Charmed - I know exatly what you mean! I couldnt go through beating myself up mentally again! thank you for the reminder of the consequences.

Leapyear - You are so supportive and a great advocate in my journey. Thank you for the constant support, it really means a lot to me.

I am sorry for such a long reply, but I felt all of you should be individually thanked because of how much it meant to me yesterday. I posted that message in desperation mode, and now this morning I feel excited and happy.

Talk about an emotional roller coaster :P

HAVE A GREAT GAMBLE FREE DAY! Time to get the fishing pole and a bucket of beers and go to the river!

So sorry I'm late to the party, but I really want to say how proud I am of you for reaching out and making it to another day G.F.! Yippe! You are on your way to freedom from the misery of the gambling life! Great job to you & everyone here for reaching out to you! Together we can recover! There is great strength in numbers! Hugs! Cher

You are never too late to the party Cherbear, thank you for your support!!! Love reading your posts!

When I first started gambling 4 years ago I went online and gambled 1200 in a month. I had to tell my husband and I was so ashamed. I never did it again and I don't have that urge I have with the real land casinos. I do like High 5 and Double down on FB and have spent up to $50 once in a month one time. Usually only about $20 a month though. The online ones don't give me the high the satisfaction that regular land casinos give me. Now I just need to stop the insanity and quit the ones near me.

The shakes and thoughts will go away. Once you get over that first hump, smooth sailing brother. You will beat it. You will.