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...
I'm a 49 year old student. I have lost everything including 3 wives and 7 kids. No friends. My school has cut my financial aid saying i have too many credits, I been in school almost 3 years before I missed a day because of Illness. I had to drop my classes in may. now The college put me on a time frame hold. Which means no aid. This triggered my gambling again and it is at an all time worst because I'm on disability and have no other help, I have went to the GA meetings and thought it was great. I stopped to get soda after the meeting. And just like that It was like I was never there I lost everything i had in my pocket. I keep repeating to my self that I'm not going to Gamble but soon as I get money I forget any and all things I need to do with that money until its all gone.
To get out of a hole, you must first stop digging.
You may want to see if there is addiction counseling or therapy available in your area. My state have therapy for problem gamblers paid for by the lottery. You will need to rekindle hobbies or make new ones to fill the time that you used to gamble. You may need to use every tool you can find to get quit.
You need to get 90-120 days in of abstinence before the chemical imbalance that gambling creates gets back to normal.
Exercise, journal, go to meetings, pray, use self hypnosis, affirmations, hike, bike, dance, sing, anything that is not gambling can be a tool. Strive to do everything you can every day to not gamble.
It can be done. There is peace, fulfillment hope, love and color in the world after gambling.
1.) Self-ban immediately from the casinos in your state.
2.) Find someone to whom you can hand over all of your money, credit cards, and savings. This person should receive your paychecks, pay your bills, and pay you only a small allowance each week.
3.) Start with therapy, GA, or a support group. Don't be afraid to shop for professionals. It may take a while to find someone or a group you "click" with, but don't give up.
4.) Once you are in recovery, look into transferring your credits to another college or university. Many colleges or universities will let you borrow almost unlimited amounts.
5b.) If you cannot transfer, look into employment with a corporation that might be interested in paying you a low salary and simultaneously funding your college. I don't know what you are going to college for, but some banks will pay for college-enrolled employees to finish. Large corporations get tax breaks when they pay for college or graduate school for employees.
6.) Don't give up. This is only a bump in the road.