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...
Every where I go their are Lottery tickets in every store. Quick picks, Scratch offs. I can,t seem to stay away from them. I have this need to be super rich. But, I just end up broke at the end of the month. I try to stay away an can at times. But, this need just becomes over-powering at times.
Does this mean a addict.
Does this mean a addict.
Everyone has different levels of what they think is unmanageable.... and yes, you can still be a problem gambler and hold a job, not be horrendously in debt.
I suggest going to the AA sight and look at the "20 questions" to ask yourself. It gives you a good idea about what constitutes problem behavior surrounding gambling. If you can answer yes to 7 out of 20 questions....you stand a good chance of having a gambling problem.
Good for you for coming in here and trying to get answers! Keep coming back, Gail.
Cantervilleghost
I've always said, no one can tell anybody else that they're an addict. Even if I was to tell you, yes, you're an addict, it wouldn't matter if you didn't realize it for yourself. I believe the over-powering need to buy lottery tickets is a thought that starts in your mind. Your need to be super rich is a thought that starts in your mind, as well. Seriously, who hasn't thought about being super rich? Well, maybe not super rich people... they might wonder what it would be like to be us, who knows? Super poor! lol The point I'm trying to make is, I believe your over-powering urge, to continue to buy lottery tickets, is a fantasy that starts in your mind, until the reality of ending up broke at the end of the month, turns your fantasy into an awful reality. Geez, I sound like Ms Know-it-All! lol I honestly don't know what's going on in anyone's head, not even my own. My addiction to gambling, was fueled by fantasy thoughts that turned into a living nightmare. That's why I'm thinking maybe you have the same magical thoughts that I had when I was gambling. I live in Las Vegas, so we don't have a lottery here, but as you probably know, we have a BILLION, no, maybe a ZILLION, different places to gamble. In convenience stores, mini-markets, supermarkets, drug stores, gas stations, car washes, laundry mats, crummy, little hole in the wall bars, posh night clubs, crappy little casinos, humongous casinos, restaurants, and even the airport! Every where I go! I'm a compulsive gambler, and today, what this means to me, is I cannot gamble like a "normal" person, win or lose, I don't want to stop, and I end up broke and miserable. I got to the point where I knew my gambling wasn't about money, I knew I was addicted and unhappy, believing there wasn't a light at the end of the tunnel. My glass wasn't half empty, it was bone dry. My biggest fear was that I was rapidly going insane. I lied to my husband, my kids and the rest of my family about who I was, where I was, how I felt, to hide my addiction. The lies tore me apart, I hated myself. But when I'd finally had enough of my own self pity, and the mental damage I was causing myself, I was willing to do whatever it took to stop gambling. My desire to gamble, was replaced by my desire to stop gambling. And that's where I am today, I don't gamble anymore. How did I get here, and how do I stay here, the answer is, one day at a time. If you want to stop buying those lottery tickets, you can. Recovery is possible. Read on....
YES YOU CAN STAY AWAY FROM THEM...and....
THE NEED IS NOT OVERPOWERING
It all starts with acceptance and a choice.
All you have to do is accept that YOU are in control of your actions. YOU are responsible for the choices you are making.
YOU can choose to limit your trips to stores that have lottery tickets...YOU can choose not to buy any. YOU can ask someone else to take control of your money if necessary until you are stronger. There are many things you can do to help you stop gambling, if you want to.
If you want to quit, you will. If you don't want to quit, you will keep gambling on lottery tickets until the consequences you suffer change your mind.
If you want to quit, there is plenty of support, experience, and success stories right here to help you on the way. I know that I could not have quit gambling without the support I've gotten here. If you want to quit, come back here and get the help and support you need.
All it takes is to say....
Just for today, I will not gamble on lottery tickets.
Just one little day of not gambling can lead to another....and a whole new life of peace and freedom from all the devastation a gambling habit brings...
Wishing you strength and courage on your life journey....
If you are...follow the GA path, follow this website, get a counsellor, do not just do nothing and hope everything will change cuz it sure won't.
You need support of others and especially others with the same problem.
Get on board and welcome. This is a good place to get started.
I used to wonder and chuckle at my self.
I found I did not see the 'flowers, trees, or even the fire hydrants while driving to my 'fav venue.......'I was into tickets too
Anyways 'my point is 'when my ''FOCUS 'was lost 'SO WAS "I"..
I missed smelling the roses along the way..
Today.......I sniff....savor.. and ''it feels good to have my "FOCUS" back..
YOu can Too.
Be WEll Sandra gams5