I just know that for me, personally, I have been on my recovery
road just this year and the time I relapsed was because I thought that I could go and just spend the money the casino comp'd.
Didn't work and didn't happen that way which is exactly what they want.
Will your friends be able to turn you down when you ask for money?
Do you plan to have no access to cash, no debit, check, CC?
Do you plan on drinking?

I don't think I will ever be able or do I want to "enjoy the environment" again,
It is what put me where I am which is remorsefull, regretful, isolated, addicted and broken spirited person.
Before gambling I was a completely different person, were you?
Do you want to risk going back to that by going there????

In the end it is you're choice, but reading the posts here can also help you in your decision.
Good luck, and I don't mean on the machines.

Maybe on a strong day I could do it, but ,oh, it would be hard to watch. I am afraid I'd it would cause me to go back another time by myself and gamble away. I can't risk it right now, I am almost at 17 months, I don't want to start over. However I have heard of alcoholics who can go dancing at bars with their friends and not be tempted, however he has been sober for 32 years and very secure in never drinking again.

I tried going with a friend once when my addiction was in full throttle. We walked around, played a little roulette and split up for awhile. That's when I planted myself in front of slot machine to feed the monkey. He had to come find me. But now I don't feel the same way about gambling. When I gamble - I go alone but if I went with a group of people today I wouldn't want to gamble with them around. I've come to realize that it's a personal vice.

I am sorry but.....
if you take the time to read just how many of the posts here
explicitly adhere to or profess "ABSTINENCE".
I am just learning the recovery business after a long and hard gambling life and it seems to me to listen to the voices that have tried and "won" right here are saying loud and clear......ABSTINENCE.
We all in the end choose our own recovery path but why tempt fate ????

In my opinion it is not a good idea to test it early in your recovery. I tried and failed over and over when I still had access to my money. If you must go, make sure you have no money and no access to money. I have been able to go occasionally for social reasons like a concert & dinner. I would rather go where there is no gambling for entertainment but the casino is the only place around here where good bands come to play. I really love music so I have found a way to stay safe and enjoy the music. My friends know that I can't gamble but they still do. It makes me feel bad in a way though to see everyone gambling knowing I can't but I am happy to be keeping my money and not giving it away to the casino. I will not go into a casino with money. No way!

What's the point? If you have made the choice NOT to gamble find something else to do with friends. If your friends know you have a problem with gambling and they are inviting you to the casino.find new friends. Just my humble opinion.

Hi Sue,
One of the basic "rules" is don't test or tempt yourself. I say absolutely not, it's likely to just cause you undue stress. IMO, one isolated time MAY be OK, but if it becomes commonplace, it becomes easier for a situation to present itself where you can feel comfortable placing a bet of some kind and that's the worst bet, the first one.
As far as money goes, we all know that when we want money, we'll find a way to get some.
Jay

Ty I know that I should listen to everyone. I appreciate that you helped me think clearly. I did not go. Good luck to everyone. Thank you for your honesty and friendship.


Sue

Good for you Sue! In this quest to stop gambling we must look out for ourselves, and not tempt fate.

I agree with Rainie. Do something else with your friends or by yourself. Movie marathon, go out to dinner, watch cute kitty videos on YouTube. Being anywhere but a casino is what I suggest.

I wish you all the best.
Stay strong!