Staying motivated is difficult at times, especially if you are childless and single and over 60. Support groups are helpful but are not the 'silver bullet' that will guarantee recovery. (There isn't one.) My town is large enough that there is a GA meeting 5 days per week. But sometimes, if there were lots of strong feelings expressed, the GA meeting was a trigger. Ultimately, with the help of a counselor I was able to decide that I was worth the effort and that I deserved a better life. Gambling was just the latest way I had found to self-sabotage and abuse myself.
That motivation had to come from inside of ourselves rather than from others. But there is help out there and you don't have to go into this battle alone. I gambled the most part of 4 decades eventually spinning out of control and riding the gambling wave like there was no tomorrow and an unlimited supply of money. A good support group and a good counselor helped me to begin to take care of myself. My last bet was 11/8/2014, I am creeping up on 3 yrs abstinence and my life is better than it has ever been. Hang in there, you are headed in the right direction.

You are on this site asking for help so that is a start and since your entire adult life isn't over you can make this the best years of that adult life! Do whatever it takes to make it through 1 day of not gambling and keep doing that every day. Over time you will see things improve. Just for today I will not gamble! Stay strong my friends.

Believe us, you're not alone. We're all here to "stay clean", we all want a better life. I know our advice might sound simple, just stop gambling. Yes, the advice is simple but the reality can seem overwhelming, especially in the beginning of recovery. So, that is where our advice to take it "one day at a time" comes from. Just for today I will not gamble.

The fact that you have a desire to change is great! Yes, we who are addicted to gambling will admit how destructive this is. It will take everything you have, financially, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually.
It will leave you with guilt, shame and regrets that you cannot describe, it will robb you from enjoying a real life and cripple you from any meaningful relationship with your loved ones.
You have come to the right place where you can share your story and learn from others who have walked in your shoes. You are not alone and there are many good post and journals you can read..
You have circled this cycle long enough, it's time to change, yes you can do this one day at a time!

Some of the stories the people share here is truly heartbreaking...I am an addict but through the Grace of God I realized my addiction and am choosing to address it before it destroys me...Not that it is easy but I am the only one who can change me...The pastor of my church said "Choose Joy" one Sunday well with tools that people share here and actually committing myself to a group of people that I don't know at all...I Choose Freedom (one day at a time)....Really think this support group is a God send to me....

Every morning say to yourself "today I will not gamble" after that day of not feeling miserable and guilty you will feel a huge accomplishment!! Each day say the same thing,go to a GA meeting,don't put it off attend one straight away I promise it will be the best thing you ever do!! Your not alone and the meetings with show you that! Good luck

thank you...for ur comments

i had 54 days cleanbetween june and august...couldnt fight the urge and got back in deep with my time and money...so today i called my local and asked to have more money credited to my sports betting account ...so i could chase this weeks losses...15 minutes later i texted him and told him to turn off my account...i have had enough...i wont chase and ill eat the loss...but more importantly i showed myself that i can resist the urge and im kind of proud of that...so today i did not gamble and im still in the fog after a minth of around the click sports betting...but i know, becauaw of the last clean run of 54 days thatvit gets better. i just need to find the strength and motivation to stay in this good place

excuse my typos...i think u guys can get the point... thank you for listening

im trying to find ga meetings that can fit my schedule...im self employed and have to work nights

There is a call in meeting every Wednesday if you can do that from work even if you only listen. Details should be posted on the site.

yes...i had seen that, but im a performing musician and unfortunately i cant be on the phone while working