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...
When I say online slots I am referring to the ones you play for "fun." Are they really fun though? I used to buy credits for them until I realized that it was psychotic and now I use the bonus chips. I have to say that I am completely addicted to them. I log onto them every single day and I hate myself each time, even though I am not actually spending money. I thought that they would give me a "fix" but now I realize that they are just another outlet to nowhere.
I don't want to replace one addiction for another,
but I am close with this site.
keep going,
you are doing it.
I got rid of both of them because when I charted my spending I spent 1500 dollars on them last year. I would slow down at the casino thinking I was doing good but only going once every two weeks and I Was replacing it with the games online. I often would just use the free chips but 1500 dollars is some new furniture, a fantastic weekend away, a good bulk of my family christmas spending.
I got rid of them and will never play another again.
that would not work for me. IfI quit gambling I have to quit all of it. It's like when I quit smoking after 20 years of being a pack a day smoker I could not go to nicotine free cigarettes or any other cigarette type support I must stop the activity all together.
I recognize that different things work for different people but in my mind if I were to play those even if I did not buy credits I would still be gambling because all the same feelings are there for me including the time suck, the numb escape and it doesn't add anything to me for my life.
I went and bought some crossword puzzles and will sometimes play words with friends or text twist now instead.
I admire that you can play and manage yourself. I cannot self manage in this area at all.
I understand, most people will tell me to stay away from those games since it is the same game I am addicted to. But I am living in a small town and hardly have any friend to visit me or hang out with. I am staying home all the time and have nothing else to do. If I don't find myself a game to kill time I probably will go crazy or bored to death. To me it's like when you constantly choke on food you can't just stop eating. So I manage myself not to BUY any points to justify my playing. I am sure for some people playing this kind of game will be a trigger to gamble. If anybody strongly believe that then please don't touch it at all. Because if you win a lot of points on one of those game may lead you to think that you're lucky and drive you to gamble eventually.
I want you to know I certainly understand, honor and respect different strokes for different folks and I have no judgement that you can play and self manage while I cannot. I do not think that the road to wellness is paved the same way exactly for any of us and was merely sharing my own relationship with those games.
It is a shame that we don't all live closer. It seems we are all suffering from loneliness and isolation on different levels and the finest GA in my opinion would include the folks here.
:)
Respectully,
Sabine
I get invitations (from FB friends) all the time. People that don't know I have quit going to the casino. They mean no harm, and I just don't engage. I just let them be and bypass them.
When I first quit gambling I used to watch bonus' on youtube (I DON'T RECOMMEND THIS!!!!) I thought it would be okay at first. It was harmless, right? WRONG. It so made me want to play, and not only that, it gives you unrealistic ideas of what you can win. Most people only post videos where they had killer bonuses.
Anyway, just my two cents. I now know that if I feed my "urge" or "craving" by this behavior, it only hurts me. I have to really then fight the beast. Can't let it get any traction. Love to all. ~atticus
dear man, we are all of us unique and have our own way of making this work for us. You have offered much wisdom and gentle support here and I appreciate that.
My name is Sabine.
:)