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...
Restarting after 2+ years of abstinence. Now 60 days into recovery, and let me just say that's WAY WORSE going back out. I know many people on here have gone back and forth. Over the last relapse I've lost so much money, I've ruined a lot, including my sobriety. I almost lost it all, my kids, my wife....I hope to never gamble again and won't let my guard down anymore which is what made me vulnerable this last time. Please take my warning and advice. It will never, ever get better gambling, you will only get worse
I think it makes a difference when you see all you lost or could have lost, because this sickness was taking everything you had.
It is evil.
Keep up the good work.
All are back now. Relapse prevention plans help only if one follows them. Also, the less days they were "in action" the less the overall damage, but the shame seemed just as deep.
Recovery is a process, and sometimes relapse is part of it. Yes you are starting over on the abstinence count, but the two years+ of abstinence is still worth something. It is not gone, and one thing you learned is about that trigger of over confidence. You will be better prepared and vigilant for tell-tale signs from now on.
I never want to go back to that gambling frame of mind where I can see no color, kindness or love in the world, while I live in isolation and hopelessness. My life is sooo much better at 7 months abstinence.