It is also the physical withdrawal from massive doses of dopamine that gambling creates. So much so that it is almost more like a drug addiction, the only difference is that it is a drug/hormone/chemical we make in our own bodies. It takes 90-120 days for these levels to get back to normal. (And for your brain to be less cloudy.) If you understand that the anxiety you are experiencing and urges to gamble right now are the withdrawal of dopamine symptoms, the death throes of the addiction, you can talk yourself through the 15-20 minutes of acute misery that these attacks typically last. It is helpful to find things to do when you feel this way, things that take at least 20 minutes and cost little/nothing to help you focus on something else and ride out the urge and the anxiety. Ideas: Take a bubble bath, do the dishes, repot a houseplant, go for a walk, make a card for someone you care about, call a friend, or listen to your newly downloaded/bookmarked guided imagery audio file to relax and help stop gambling. Most importantly don't give up....Hugs

Hi,
Welcome back, I’m glad you’re here; you know we all understand day two because we have all been there, some of us, like you, more than once. Me, lots of day ones. I’m grateful for every single day I have not gambled and I’m grateful for today.
Writing about my feelings helps me to understand myself and my addictions.
Today I’m feeling sorry for myself, almost as if I’m looking for a reason to be unhappy. Tomorrow’s my birthday. There. I said it. I let it out. 63. My last bet was 02-23-17. I stay on my recovery path one day at a time. I’m grateful i have no urges to gamble today. Sometimes, like today, I’m reminded of the feelings that use to send me back out there, my desire to sabotage my own happiness by feeling sorry for myself. This isn’t easy to write about, it makes me feel stupid.
Shouldn’t I be trying to help you, what’s wrong with me today? I know you can do this, your rock bottom doesn’t have to be any worse than what it is. One day at a time, friend. We’re here for you.
Today I will not gamble

@Qwit4Good... thank you for your words of wisdom. Not many know the chemical nature your body endures while gambling. I am taking one panic episode at a time. Just breathe I keep telling myself.

@Robin-Mc... stay strong in your recovery. I am proud of you for the time you have GF. This disease can creap back so keep doing whatever maintenance steps you have take remain in recovery. You won’t believe the coinsedence but it is my birthday tomorrow too. The big 50. Happy early birthday my friend. xoxo Chargergirl

120 days ? Really?