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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alternative activities?

deleted_user
deleted_user
Can anyone recommend a specific activity or distraction that has helped them take their mind off playing?? I find myself spending hours online just playing free games, which is still a compulsion, even though I'm not betting. I feel like I'm constantly looking for that same "rush" and will continue to until I start playing again, which is NOT what I want. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
deleted_user
deleted_user
My advice to you is to remember the things you used to enjoy. Even write a list if it helps of things you like doing, or things you would like to do. The hardest thing for us when we stop gambling is you do actually get bored. We spent many hours in front of machines ...killing ...the boredom, looking fore the next rush of excitement. I find one of the most important things in my recovery is to work on mmy inner calm. To begin to be happy just being...it takes time but the peace does come. Gambling again will take it all away in a heart beat. Try anything, you may find a new love for the old things you used to love.
deleted_user
deleted_user
nyctotoes,
Thurs and Fri are the hardest for me, so recently I started volunteering at a retirement home (my friend works there), so we talk and visit with the patients there. It's been great distraction for me because no matter how "blue" I feel, I always feel better leaving there because these people always compliment me! Now the disclaimer, they are in a lock-down memory ward and their ages range for 70-100 years old and their eye sight probably isn't the best...but heck, I feel like Cindy Crawford leaving there :)
Just find something you enjoy and keep busy or volunteer somewhere, anywhere.
Stay Strong and GF for today.
Hugs,
Liz
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