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...
Controlled gambling had the same result for me, over and over. I could go months and then on a whim lose everything. It was only when my problems caused by gambling finally outweighed my denial that I was ready, willing and eager for treatment.
Thank heavens you have arrived at this crucial crossroads and you are choosing life over slow death. Take some pride in that. You likely will not get an appointment with a therapist on the spot.
You might want to break out your art supplies if you have some to help with anxiety and urges. Watch some videos, Rat Park on TED.com being one of my favorites.
Write down how bad you feel now. It can be a valuable tool to reread next time you think you want to gamble. Find out what it takes to self-ban, if you gamble online, you might want to get gamblock or some other gambling blocking software. Gather your personal army, enlist the help of friends and family that you trust and get in touch with your higher power. Be kind to yourself, anger gets in the way of healing and emotional growth.
There has been a number of stories that surround my life that involves the devastation of gambling, From relatives to friends. The negative stories outnumbers the positives. Casinos are not afraid of big bettors, They are only afraid is if no one goes. Easy money hardly ever exist, there is no sure way beat these casino establishments, we can only fight back by not going.
May god help us change.