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...
FRIDAY... but, as a real estate broker, my Friday isn't always a "Friday." I'm working a bit this weekend, nothing major. I was reflecting on the time I would spend in the card room when I was still active in my addiction. I recall having to leave the card table, multiple times in play, because my cell phone would keep ringing regarding work related issues. Of course, you can't be on the phone at a card table and have your clients hear the chips and cards, and the loud noise of the players... now could I?
The time I would waste in the card rooms, is as much as the money I lost, actually, maybe more.
My life is so much happier, and productive than when I was in my addiction. Now, rather than sitting in a dark card room, wasting my time and my money, I'm at home or in my office, being productive and happy. I don't wake up from being gone for three days, crying and disgusted with myself today. I don't have to rob paul to pay peter, anymore. I don't look at other people and wonder what its like to feel "normal" anymore.
I am free of the addiction, although I know its still there, and I get to do my life. What an amazing feeling.
I am not watching the sun come up and go down as I sit in a card room, I am enjoying the sun coming up, and going down, as I live my life.
The only way I get to do anything, productive and to be happy though is to work a program, to be grateful, and to remind myself of where I don't want to go again. For today, I will not place a bet.
Do the weekend my sweet warriors. Hug yourself, from me.
Terri
The time I would waste in the card rooms, is as much as the money I lost, actually, maybe more.
My life is so much happier, and productive than when I was in my addiction. Now, rather than sitting in a dark card room, wasting my time and my money, I'm at home or in my office, being productive and happy. I don't wake up from being gone for three days, crying and disgusted with myself today. I don't have to rob paul to pay peter, anymore. I don't look at other people and wonder what its like to feel "normal" anymore.
I am free of the addiction, although I know its still there, and I get to do my life. What an amazing feeling.
I am not watching the sun come up and go down as I sit in a card room, I am enjoying the sun coming up, and going down, as I live my life.
The only way I get to do anything, productive and to be happy though is to work a program, to be grateful, and to remind myself of where I don't want to go again. For today, I will not place a bet.
Do the weekend my sweet warriors. Hug yourself, from me.
Terri
Today, I rarely think about the card room or the slots, gambling has caused me so many losses, pain and insanity that it was no longer enjoyable.
As I get further from it, I feel I have grown saner and see more clearly. I gained self respect and self love again, as well as learning how to relate more authentically to others and have the energy to help others where I can.
My prayers are for you, me and all the other gamblers struggling out there to learn to overcome the urges and enjoy life again.