Take that money and do something you enjoy and can actually see or touch. Or just mail the casino your money and save yourself the trip. Actually when I have urges and I always will even after almost 3 and a half years away from the madness I visualize a picture of some of the most terrible experiences I had while in action. It is not hard to do because they were so numerous. You have to hate losing more than you love winning and the battle becomes much easier. Get that picture in your mind of how you felt driving home a loser again,the bad dreams that night, and the depression that followed and it should be a no-brainier to stay away and be proud that you did. God Bless

The weekends are the hardest for me too.It would be so easy for me to go today my husband is working off no one would know but me.I actually thought about going today for about 2 seconds and then reality set in.I have came way to far over the last couple of months I have paid off 3 maxed out credit cards with the money I would have gambled with and it felt amazing.Stay strong and very busy you can do this.

Exercise increases the dopamine and makes one feel a little better afterward, artwork and anything creative can relieve anxiety, finger-painting, photography, dancing, sewing all help. Knowing that Friday is tough, in my early days of recovery I made plans specifically on Friday or paydays to have company and not gamble. Planning to do something different - anything - will be an improvement. Go to the library, borrow a movie, call a friend, take a bath.....urges usually pass within 20 minutes that's all the longer you need to distract yourself. Read/reread your "good bye to gambling" letter. (If you have taken the time to write one.) Write one if you haven't, be sure to include all the pain gambling has caused you and your loved ones and all the $ you have lost, the chaos and the dishonesty it has reduced you to.
Make sure you make It clear why you want to quit gambling.
You might try reading a book, watching a movie, going to a movie, going to the library, going to your local museums, gardening, volunteering, going for a walk. Anything is better than gambling!
You can do this.

I know I'm a day late but I hope you didn't follow thru on that urge. It's been 1 week and 1 day for me and I still haven't gotten the urge to gamble yet. Prob because I went thru a week of hell and will not put myself thru that again. Today I went out and bought myself or rather charged a new pair of boots. I got them on sale and was so proud of that. I never buy myself much ...how can I when I put most of my money in them damn machines. I tell ya younggamblingaddict .....listen to these people on here ....they really have been thru it and are experienced pros ......I love listening to them because their advice is amazing. It really keeps me motivated. I do have to say one thing .....I think you really have to WANT to quit in order to do it. If you don't ...then you prob won't. Just my two cents on it. Either you have to get to the end of your finances or until you have had enough of losing. Like skip says....and I quoted this before ...you really have to hate losing more than winning. I think I'm there now. Qwit .....skip....determined.....I love your advice above .....you guys are all amazing.

Thank you everyone for the encouragement. It means more than you know.

Self Banning worked for me.