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...
Yesterday was a wake up call. I drove by my Ex's house last night after the super bowl and of course I saw his current girlfriends car in the driveway. I could not sleep. I had prayed for GOD to send me the man he chose for me and I believe in my heart my Ex was it. My Ex was not a christian when I met him. I told him how important GOD was and that any man that I would be with had to be Christian, in church and GOD fearing. He became all of that and then some. He was everything I prayed for my entire life. I met him when I was 40. Now to me. I am one to always say, you cannot do bad things and expect good things to happen. I have tried to live right my entire life. Well, I started doing bad things, I started gambling. This is on my mind and heart heavy. GOD does not like ugly and I was doing ugly. Gambling is one thing, but, when you are lying, cheating and stealing to support your habit, that is not good. I never told my Ex but, I since with the break up, he knew something wasn't right. We have been broken up almost a year. We talked about getting back together but he changed his mind and decided to stay with his current girlfriend. Well, I do not blame him. I am not living right. I lost my way. I know gambling is an addiction and a coping mechanism. It started the year we started dating and got out of control ever since. My brother got critically injured by a drunk driver and I miscarried the same year. Instead of me dealing with it, I found an outlet, Gambling. Now here I am single and alone because of my wrong doings. I do not like how we broke up I cannot change that. I wish he handled things differently. I feel like last night GOD spoke to me and said, see that home, I gave that to you and you blew it. Today is day 1, no more gambling.
you say you started gambling the year you started dating him,
makes me wonder if it was the relationship or something you haven't mentioned.
of course it will eventually affect your relationship with him, especially if he can't figure out why you are acting differently.........lying, cheating, stealing.
Just focus on you right now because this addiction can get much much worse.
If you are as devoted to your religion than I think you should go back, really back, to meetings, church community, the paster etc.
Regain the strength, the integrity, the faith and the values you once had right there.
then make the commitment to come here and also to quit :
sign out,
limit your daily cash W/D from the bank to say $50
no debit or credit cards.
and let someone know so they may check on you or
you can call them when you feel the urge.
Go to GA and get a sponsor.
quit this insanity now,
you and only you can make the choice.
I really don't think God had you see the house that you lost
and said "hey, looky here, this is what you blew",
no way, God in not vengeful.
He may be trying to teach you something like
heal yourself and be truthful and then get the man.
who knows??
Just know that this place is here to help you.
heal yourself and be truthful and then get the man"
I am determined. Something clicked the other day finally...
I'd say you've already gotten some very sound advice, it does sound like stress is a big trigger for you and I'm so glad you found DS- there are so many great people here, all willing to lend an ear or give some personal experience and advice- please take hold and get as much support as possible- recovery from this addiction can be very difficult if you try and go it alone. The biggest step and best advantage is seeing the disease for what it is and that you need help arresting it.
Hang tough,
Jay
I simply meant that you may have gambled to avoid what was going on either in your relationship or you life.
A lot of people here, me too, are escape, that's what they call it I guess, gamblers.
Trying to escape lifes stresses or avoid feeling something maybe even anything.
You were certainly most assuredly going through an awful lot for any person to handle. Anybody at all and for that I am truly sorry.
Sorry that you had to handle all of that. Now I hope that you see that gambling is not the answer and stay here and do all it takes to recover. You have certainly shown that you have the "guts" and fortitude to do it. Do it for you. For yourself. You deserve it.
Thx, day 3 and counting.
I completely understand about the miscarriage. I found out at my first ultrasound that I was due to miscarry any day. unfortunately, I took that as an excuse to go play poker. Even worse...I won a jackpot. $9000. It took me one month to lose it all back and then some. From there on I spiraled out of control and now I sit here today, day 1, trying to put the pieces back together.
This is my first day on this site and hopefully not my last.