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...
I have not made it to a GA meeting yet- no reason why not and every reason why I should. I am wondering in GA do you have a sponsor that you could call when you have the urge to gamble- someone to talk to for a couple minutes to get the "i can double this $20 etc" thoughts out of your head. Or do you have a trusted friend to call when you are in a casino parking lot who can help you through an urge- and does it work?
Over the years I have found that I really have nobody to turn to when the craving hits. The only one that can stop me from going is me. The best motivation I have is family members telling me they will not loan me a penny for gas to get to work if I blow all of my money at the casino. You went 5 months without going, so like Hopeful 82 told you - focus on your progress. Sure, maybe you blew your whole paycheck again, but you didn't blow 5 months' worth. Go ahead - be mad at yourself, and hopefully too broke to go back again. But then get over it and use your next check wisely. Take care!