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...

Feeling numb was my ultimate goal when I was actively gambling. The fact that the gambling sucked the whole time you were there and was not fun, says to me that you have gained internal awareness - which I'm guessing before you made attempts at abstinence you never noticed any awareness. So you are not at square one, you may be back at the drawing board of your relapse prevention plan, but you have part it outlined, you have a start, it is not blank, you just need to make modifications and adjustments. If what you are doing isn't working, do something different. You can do this, but be gentle with yourself. Treat yourself as you would your best friend.
Hugs