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...
Today I'm 8 months sober of our terrible gambling addiction.
I want to start off by saying THANK YOU to everyone on this forum that has responded to my posts or sent me messages or hugs. Your support and tough love and the accountability you have provided have kept me on the straight and narrow.
I'm not going to sugar coat it, I have been seriously thinking about going back lately, and I am using this forum like crazy to keep myself straight. One of my biggest triggers is when I am stressed and feel like things are out of my control, and I had an emergency surgery last week. I drove past the casino this morning with hearts and stars in my eyes...but the point is, I didn't go in.
My life has changed a lot in the past eight months. If you're thinking about quitting, keep in mind that I went from a person who was $23K in debt from credit cards and cash advances who regularly had bill collectors calling and had her lights turned off several times to having $10K in savings, all of my debts paid, my car paid off, and all of my bills being paid on time each month. Moreover, it went deeper than cash: I got married, got my business doubling its annual revenue (looking like I'm going to triple it next quarter!), and I've lost 25 pounds. I've also gained a lot of self-respect, peace of mind, and a sense of calm I didn't have at all while I was gambling.
When I think about those things, I don't want to go. It doesn't take long after you quit for life to catch up.
I want to start off by saying THANK YOU to everyone on this forum that has responded to my posts or sent me messages or hugs. Your support and tough love and the accountability you have provided have kept me on the straight and narrow.
I'm not going to sugar coat it, I have been seriously thinking about going back lately, and I am using this forum like crazy to keep myself straight. One of my biggest triggers is when I am stressed and feel like things are out of my control, and I had an emergency surgery last week. I drove past the casino this morning with hearts and stars in my eyes...but the point is, I didn't go in.
My life has changed a lot in the past eight months. If you're thinking about quitting, keep in mind that I went from a person who was $23K in debt from credit cards and cash advances who regularly had bill collectors calling and had her lights turned off several times to having $10K in savings, all of my debts paid, my car paid off, and all of my bills being paid on time each month. Moreover, it went deeper than cash: I got married, got my business doubling its annual revenue (looking like I'm going to triple it next quarter!), and I've lost 25 pounds. I've also gained a lot of self-respect, peace of mind, and a sense of calm I didn't have at all while I was gambling.
When I think about those things, I don't want to go. It doesn't take long after you quit for life to catch up.
I have learned that urges come up for me when other things are amiss in my life. So in some ways, my addiction helps me stay on an even keel. When I have an thought to gamble or an urge it is a signal for me to figure out what I need that I am not getting. I have a short window of time to do this before the thought becomes an urge. If I practice mindfulness and follow through with my own recovery plan when I do not have an urge, it will be easier to utilize when I have an urge or thought to gamble. (Kind of like a fire drill) Relapse does not happen when everything is going well. It happens when we are stressed. So practicing what we do, thinking it out, writing it out if necessary, when we are not stressed, will help us find another path other than gambling when we are stressed.
Good job Nancy, our only task now is to keep going.
Prayers and Hugs
digging myself out financially and you are a true inspiration. Keep
up the good work!!!
I sometimes bring home the winnings. I am an addict , and I can beat this
I want to stop. I appreciate your strength and words.
I have beat alcohol, 31 years of sobriety.
My family is so supporter of all my efforts, It is time to choose to stop,
First time posting.
The good news about gambling addiction is that it doesn't take long for the money to start accumulating once you quit. I used to spend thousands per month at the casino, and since quitting, I was able to pay my bills for the first time in years, starting in the first month. I was able to actually pay off some of my debt completely within the first 3-6 months. It is amazing.
It is hard to quit, I'm not going to lie. I can tell you that certain aspects of my life are a lot better after eight months, however.