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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cableman 01/05/2015

Hi My name is Scotty. I have been gambling since the age of nine. So much that it has shaped my life, I have always been addicted, I loss 3 wives 7 kids and 1 grandchild. because of my problem I don't see any of them. My ex-wives really don't know it was the gambling that may have caused all the issues. Yes they all was cheaters but that's because I hung out all the time gambling. Even though my last wife just was up set that I didn't buy her things or take her places, the cause was still gambling. Unlike most people, gambling has cause some good also, it started my cable man success that lasted over 20 years. As a contractor I made over $80,000 a year. I survived but stayed depressed and suicidal 75% of the time. Then I got sick (Sarcosis) I was Ok for 9 years but the condition and the side affects of the medicine caused me to go on disability. This not only added to the depression, but caused the gambling to increase even more. But like I said gambling Is fools money, because once again gambling did some good. Because I didn't have much money to gamble with, I went back to school just to get the student loans and grants. But I found myself having to study hard to keep my grades up, because if they dropped so would my money, I have been in School 3 years and really don't want quit. my gambling has gotten so bad I'm $3,500 behind on my rent and about to be homeless. Now landlords want rent to me because of my bad credit and evictions I have no help even my mother want give me a place to rest my head. I don't blame her, and love her always. but myself I don't. The strange thing is I'm no longer suicidal, but cry all the time. I can't keep a dollar in my pocket. Have no friends and family don't talk to me. I very lonely, sad, sick, and depressed. Is there any help for me?

itsjustmeagain 01/05/2015

sounds like you're at the bottom of you addiction or close to, we are here to listen and help, you must know one person that you can reach out to, you'd be surprised if you show them how serious you are about getting help, any outreach social program worker can start you with a place to go to and live, im not an expert of any of this, just hopeful with gods help, he can restore you, go to a church and speak to a pastor, try anything, the money is gone, and its just a means to satisfy our addiction, best to you, seems you have access to a computer, so you can come and speak with us anytime and pour your heart out, we are exactly the same as you, you are not alone.

curbs93 01/05/2015

Hey Scotty....hang in there man. I know that's easier said than done. I just had a baby boy 5 months ago. After I blew through the $10,000 in 3 hours the other day on online blackjack. Now I'm paying the credit card company back. I was absolutely sick. I said this is it. I'm doing this for my little buddy. No more gambling. Wish I could've spared my wife years of misery with this crap, but better late than never. We can do this dude. You've got a friend here. Hang in there buddy.

yellowly 01/05/2015

jst talk to God. feel the feelings... to feel the hurt.. the shame.. the rage.. the anger.. is normal. just let it sit until you identify the feeling. but you dont have to act it out.. esp in an unproductive way. channel it through creative work. what are you hood at? a hobby? talk to a friend instead? attend a gamblers' anonymous mtg.. you will realize help all the while has been all around you. you have to focus on healing.. on recovery.. rather than extend your agony by being bound by the falso promise of gambling. theres a much much better and more meanigful life beyobd gambling and even the worst of us, deserve only the best God-ordained life for us. the first few steps are the hardest.. and everything takes time.. be patient and forgive yourself. just keep doing what is right. pray and talk to your Higher Power. dont lose hope. keep writing here. happy or sad.

ll2live 01/05/2015

You are not beyond help and you deserve to have a good life. The thing about help, that I've found, is that it doesn't fall into your lap. You've got to go looking for it. We can listen and support you here but it sounds like you need some professional help. I did and I think it was a large part of what saved my life.
It sounds like you've spent a great deal of your life covering up your gambling....like maybe no one knows the real you. What would happen if you started living your own life instead of trying to be someone you are not? When I accepted that being an addict was not the worse thing that could be said about me, it lightened my load. When I came out of the addiction closet, people where there for me. You might find some people are there for you too.
I hope you can find some ease to your loneliness here. I understand how you feel and am here to listen and support you on a journey that could lead you to the best life you've ever lived.

stopat56 01/05/2015

congratulations scotty on your decision to seek help. it's one of the best decisions any of us will ever make.

look for a local GA, check out counseling for GA/most states have it now, and keep posting here as much as you need to.

everyone else has already posted some great advice. check it out.

again, congratulations on your decision! I look forward to hearing from you again!

new55 01/05/2015

Welcome Scotty! Hope to see you posting often!!

Qwit4Good 01/06/2015

Hello Scotty,
I have gambled since I was 3. My mother taught me.
I am in treatment for the 3rd time for compulsive gambling - it did not work for me the first two times because I did not really want to quit. I wanted to just get well enough to become a social gambler again. AND I wanted the counselor to use the "magic wand" method. (Note: Magic Wand method does not exist.)
Treatment is working for me this time because I want to quit forever with my whole heart and I work at it, doing EVERYTHING I can to stay away from gambling. After nearly two months of abstinence, the dopamine and serotonin that was flooding my brain from gambling have now started to return to normal levels. I can think clearer and I feel better both emotionally and physically.
Sadly the loss of friends and family come with the territory of using, abusing and ignoring them when we are gambling. It will take time of not gambling and effort to rebuild those relationships if you choose to do so.
Depression goes with the territory, in some ways it is a good sign, because it is a normal reaction to isolation, guilt and self-loathing.
The only way to get over it starts with stopping the behavior.
It is time to change your belief that anything good comes from gambling. Haven't you lost enough yet?

Leapyear22 01/06/2015

In response to your question: YES, you can be helped, and YES, there is a better way to live, without gambling, actually, much, much better. Please keep posting, reaching out, get to meetings and self ban from whatever you can self ban from. You got this.

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