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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Robin-Mc 01/31/2020

Hi e'one

i feel a need to post my gratitude for today and for this moment. My depression is finally lifting and that feels so good. It seems to be related to the holidays or maybe the change in the weather, probably both. I did my best to ride through the ups and downs my depression is known for, maybe better than I ever have before. It feels as though I'm becoming aware. Aware of myself and those around me. Suspicion is being replaced with compassion. Self hatred is being replaced with a sense of who I really am. Is that self acceptance?
Gambling thoughts crossed my mind during this up and down period for me, of course they did. I wasn't comfortable with them at all, like they actually grossed me out. Sometimes when I'm experiencing a low I have a tendency to want to make things worse, to elevate my pain. There's a difference between remembering how it was and pondering the option of why not. Why not? Because it's not a good option, and I know that. One day at a time is what matters the most. Gambling will always be an option. I associate that option with suicide. Never again do I want to go there. It's that simple and terrifying at the same time. This addiction ain't no joke.

Today I will not gamble

Onedayordayone 02/01/2020

Thank you for sharing your gratitude. Some of us need a glimpse of what it can be like on the other side.

yes2recovery 02/01/2020

Glad you're feeling better, Robin. I am leaning hard on my HP and my gratitude practice these days, as so much seems to be sliding out of control around me. Grateful that the days are getting longer. Grateful that I am not gambling. Grateful that I have the tools and the support to stay in recovery one day at a time. Also incredibly grateful for this community of folks who understand just how relentless this addiction can be. May we all make today a day without gambling!

Qwit4Good 02/01/2020

I certainly relate to the depression part. Being in Pacific NW with lots of rain really exasperates Seasonal Affect Disorder. I think I have been depressed for most of my life and could hide it well. But my coping skills and tools were poor and/or nonexistent as my whole coping strategy was pretending I am fine.
There are a variety of medications that can contribute to depression as well as some physical conditions. Generally getting old is hard and can be like grieving to feel my body not being able to do what it could in youth.
However, I am grateful to be alive and to be working with a great counselor, a good doctor and me as a team on managing my depression and my general health. AND specifically not having to work on repairing the damage I did to myself by gambling.

Getting_Out 02/02/2020

Hi guys ....I also feel depression lately. I think its the winter and too much snow getting me down ......not being able to go out more. I haven't gambled but honestly this weekend I had the itch....it was awful....... I fought it long and hard ......believe me !!! I'm trying to save some money so that kept me focused. I knew that if I went ....my money would be gone. Now this morning......I thank God I didn't as my money is still intact. I mostly went on the weekends so now that its gone ....I'm back to normal. I called my friend and planned a nice lunch out this week so maybe that will lift my spirits and give me something to look forward to. My ex who had a stroke last September will have to go in a home. He's no longer able to look after himself. That has really got me down and thinking. He's only 70 and used to be on the go all the time. How fast our life can change.....its really scarey. I will not gamble today.

Mjgnotmtj 09/13/2021

Today I read your post and it was like looking into my mind. I too associate gambling with suicide because of the depression. I had to realize that gambling triggered it and then just led to more gambling to drown it out. Seeing someone else experience this too made me feel.less alone. I just wanted you to know that you are not alone either and that I hope one day we can look back and this will be our past and thoughts of self harm will never enter our minds again. I hope you are doing better today. I know your post is a year ago but I'm new to this site and reading these to help cope. One day at a time. Today I will not gamble. Be blessed.

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