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...
Hello all,
It's been a long time since I've checked in, but I'm glad to say I'm doing well. Haven't been back to the casino since I self excluded in January 2014.
I'm sorry for not keeping up, but I've been focused on rebuilding my life. Long story short, I started gambling about 5 years ago after losing multiple members of my family within a few weeks. I thought I grieved and moved on, but slowly I withdrew from everything and everyone I loved. Gambling filled the void. I lost everything and on the night I lost my last dime (literally) I sought out help on an online forum and I haven't looked back. I gambled away all of my money, and sold treasured family heirlooms for cash. I became someone I didn't recognize - I became someone I truly hated.
To everyone who is posting here for the first time, or to those with a short time of non-gambling under your belt, please keep fighting. I know how scared you are, I know that it is difficult facing up to your losses, but it won't last forever. Forgive yourself, make a realistic plan to move forward and don't look back. The money part will get better sooner than you think.
Stay strong!
It's been a long time since I've checked in, but I'm glad to say I'm doing well. Haven't been back to the casino since I self excluded in January 2014.
I'm sorry for not keeping up, but I've been focused on rebuilding my life. Long story short, I started gambling about 5 years ago after losing multiple members of my family within a few weeks. I thought I grieved and moved on, but slowly I withdrew from everything and everyone I loved. Gambling filled the void. I lost everything and on the night I lost my last dime (literally) I sought out help on an online forum and I haven't looked back. I gambled away all of my money, and sold treasured family heirlooms for cash. I became someone I didn't recognize - I became someone I truly hated.
To everyone who is posting here for the first time, or to those with a short time of non-gambling under your belt, please keep fighting. I know how scared you are, I know that it is difficult facing up to your losses, but it won't last forever. Forgive yourself, make a realistic plan to move forward and don't look back. The money part will get better sooner than you think.
Stay strong!
That's what this site is all about. Read, read and read some more! You are in a place where people understand what you are going through.
I personally believe that there is no one trick or method to beat this horrible addiction. You just need to keep trying until you find an approach that works for you.
As you eliminate gambling from your life, make sure you replace the time you spent at the casino with some positive activity.
Stay strong and keep trying!
My money part is not getting any better after 7 months but I have gained so much more that I know the money part will get better now that I have not made it worse for 7 months.
Stay strong!