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...

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itsjustmeagain 09/19/2016

so i finally put an end to an one/off relationship i had, i felt very happy/proud i did it and anxious and i had a couple of drinks to calm/relax.... and then the overwhelmingly feeling started to go to the casino and have a "night out to enjoy and celebrate my independence"

so i know most of the time it hits i can handle it, this time was different, i jumped up ran got the card, went to ATM, and withdrew the money, at that moment in the atm vestibule, i looked up at the ceiling (to god) "ummmmm arent you going to stop me"? youre really the only one who can, well?

as i left the door closed and my phone rang (divine intervention)? hmmmmm i'd like to think so, my friend, asking me to meet for drinks/dinner, and for a minute i was like, i can go to the casino and get back and have dinner w/her....uyyyy...how the addictive brain works, so i tell myself drive, go w/the money to the veg/fruit stand and just walk around calmly (i like going there seeing the plants/things for the fall season)

it was just enough to make me turn around, im kinda scared of myself and the power this has, my sunday morning would have been BRUTAL, but instead i went to my daughters cheer game and enjoyed the day, god give me strength to fight the next one....im counting on you, cause i cant do this w/o you

rdapl31 09/19/2016

Dear itsjustmeagain sending you lots of bright thoughts your way. I have to tell you, I sincerely believe God doesn't stop us from doing anything. I believe we have "free will" but we know / and feel right from wrong. I suggest that you listen to your intuition, that little feeling, voice, that tells you "yes" or "no". I congratulate you in breaking up with that someone that was not good for you. Maybe your feelings of loneliness at the end of this relationship are compounded and you want to gamble. Try do get a hobby or run, or meditate and / or pray. Go outdoors. Gambling requires you to stay in (in an enclosed place). Sunday mornings can be lonely as you say but, how about making a plan to enjoy outside. A lot of people tend to waste lots of money when in transition, or get into copious amounts of debt. Please don't! Stay positive, and have lots of love for yourself.

itsjustmeagain 09/19/2016

thanks, i appreciate your advice, i do alot of soul searching/walking/prayer/meditation, i think thats why god is so close now - he know i mean business, and yet still need his gentle touch...

riverboatrecovery 09/19/2016

Great job! Be proud of yourself and next time remember how strong you were and how good you must feel for winning this battle. For us the war is never over but as you win each little battle you will gain ground on this evil enemy and you will become stronger and stronger. I hope someday I can be as strong as many of the great members here are. Be proud of yourself for I am proud of you.

healing57 09/19/2016

Way to go! I am so proud of you. You were really at the no stopping me now point but you stopped. That is awesome. It gives you even more strength for the next time you have the urge. Good job! Hugs

Qwit4Good 09/19/2016

It is loss and grieving that is my biggest trigger. Even if I am dumping a long toxic friendship, there is grieving. Not just for the friend, but for the possibilities of the friendship, the fantasy of the great things we could have done together. I have found that just feeling the feelings that I have been trying to avoid, is far easier than dealing with the aftermath of the methods I choose to avoid feeling anything. We need all of our emotions to help guide us, there are no bad emotions only ones that are uncomfortable, but they are just as important.
So glad you resisted, each time you do, you can be stronger. You might want to make a better plan about what you do afterwards, next time you end a toxic friendship/relationship. Plan ahead to take care of yourself.

itsjustmeagain 09/20/2016

all good stuff, thanks everyone

nancyzoman 09/20/2016

Hang in there. I ended a 3.5 year on-again, off-again relationship in 2013, and I unexpectedly met the man who is now my husband (and the love of my life) three months later. Sometimes we hang on to people and to habits that don't serve us because we don't feel like we truly deserve the best, or to be happy, or to have what we really want in life. And these partners and these destructive habits are our mechanisms to "prove" our inner beliefs to ourselves, when meanwhile, all we have to do is change our belief, be willing to let go, and have faith that God will bring us what we really need and truly deserve. In my case, he really did.

itsjustmeagain 09/20/2016

thanks nancy, great advice, i feel free for once

katmandu34 09/20/2016

Wow. What a great story. I was not sure how it was going to end but I am so excited to find out that you were able to stay away. These urges are so strong at times. In my mind the fact that your friend called you was Divine intervention for sure. God is great. I am walking pretty closely with my Higher Power too. No way could I even come close to staying out without Him. You really help us when you post these types of stories because I love hearing about your success. Thanks for your post.

itsjustmeagain 09/20/2016

thanks katmandu.....i feel amazing he's near

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