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...

971 Members

6,389 Posts

0 Online

2mcdphnurse 10/09/2013

Well, it has been 2mo. without gambling. We almost went the other day to a casino which we really don't even like and is about 30mins away but found alternative things to do once we really thought about the consequences and how we don't really like going there. The best thing we did was to check ourselves out of our favorite casino which is 15 mins from our house. We do miss it terribly but knowing we can't go there is a big help. I actually contacted our casino host 2 days ago to see if she could get us in again and she informed me that once you sign out there is absolutely no way to sign back in until the time you have signed out for has expired. We signed out for 1yr. and it has already been 5mo. I actually wasn't upset about it. It gave me some peace of mind to know it isn't an option right now. We will re-eval. it again in May when our time expires. I have already started saving money and paying bills off that were neglected due to gambling. It feels so good to have money in the bank. I wish everyone a gamble free day. I really do love this site. When I read others struggles it really makes me think about not gambling. Sometimes it is easy to forget the pain and sadness that gambling causes but this site keeps me in check. Thanks for all of your posts it really helps. Jackie

daydreamer73 10/09/2013

Way to go Jackie!!!! Two months is awesome, and look at what you've been able to do in those months, paying off bills and saving money. Every time I buy something and get out my wallet I think about those awful days of having no cash and credit cards maxed out, and how nice it is to know I have plenty now. Still working at paying things off myself. Hope you pat yourself on the back, it's hard to stay away (and I'm so glad for you that casino won't let you back in!) Keep on keeping on! (((((HUGS)))))))

2mcdphnurse 10/09/2013

Hi Day,
Good to see you on here. I really love reading these posts. I hope all is well with you and your Hubby. I think the last time we spoke you were having issues. I wish you well. Jackie

jayd03 10/09/2013

Congrats of 2 months Jackie!!
The only thing I really feel compelled to say is DON'T test or tempt yourself. I know it's tough especially when you get to the point of knowing you can stop, but also starting to see the benefits of stopping at the same time- good times can be a trap. Be careful, stay strong and keep walking the walk.
Very proud for you- keep up the good fight,
Jay

daydreamer73 10/13/2013

Still struggling in the marriage dept Jackie. I guess we'll be having issues for a long time, and it might go in the direction of divorce. He still wants to gamble and wants me to gamble with him, on his terms. I don't think I can be free of gambling until I'm free of him. But, the gambling issue is only the tip of the iceberg in my case. Why would my husband want me to go back to something that nearly destroyed me, led me to waste thousands of dollars and countless hours, and to lie to him A LOT? Good question. I will be exploring this one deeply.

deleted_user 10/14/2013

Hey Jackie - I'm a dealer at one of the nearby casinos and I admit I had a severe gambling problem ever since I was a kid but that was what I was taught growing up. If you play the tables, I'm sure I have dealt a few hands to you somewhere down the line...............But all I would like to say is that I haven't gambled in nearly 18 months and I also did the self-exclusion for 1 year. At the end of that one year I go right back to the casino and do it again :) I have actually found that by doing this, it reminds me each year how well I've done. In the past 18 months I've now saved and $40,000 including investments..............it feels really good!! I hope you can continue to do it and just remember you'll never get the money back at the casino and I think you've done a great thing. Keep it up and I'm cheering for ya.

newstarttoday 10/14/2013

Keep going forward. I too have a temptation once I feel better. keep remembering how it felt when you blew it and how it feels now. It is so much better to be able to pay a bill and feel confident about yourself. Congratulations!

Join the Conversation