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...
So, apparently as open as I am about my previous gambling problems and current status as a gambler in recovery some people I have known in the past 30 years still hadn't heard that I quit gambling. I have lived in the same smallish town for most of my life with a few 3/4 year absences. Yesterday, in the grocery store, an acquaintance suggests that she and I and another friend whom I went to see total eclipse last summer, should take a "free bus" to a nearby town where the terminus is the Indian Casino there.
I did not realize what she was talking about to begin with, why would we want to go there, I asked.
You, know, she says, catch an act, stay at the casino, gamble.
"Oh, oh", I say, "My last bet was Nov 8, 2014"
Oh she says, you have a problem?
No, not really, I did have one, it does not bother me now, because I don't do it.
It was much easier to turn down than I had thought it was going to be. But every part of me rejected the idea, without much thought. Proud of me. (My inner gambler seems to be getting smaller.)
Just had a similar experience. Ran into an acquaintance over the weekend. We had a short chat then when leaving she said "see you at the casino". I shook my head (probably a little too violently because she caught me off guard) and said no. She seemed surprised so I told her I hadn't been there in a month, that I was over that place. Then she went on to tell me her friend had just won a big jackpot, etc. etc. I panicked at first because that is a trigger for me (well, if that person did it so can I). But then I could only think that much of that jackpot came from my hard earned money, the cash I so willingly wasted on chasing after something that was just an illusion. I also thought about how much money I haven't wasted over the past month - that is my jackpot, one that keeps on giving rather than taking away.
I tell people straight up, I am recovering gambler and I do not want to hear gambling stories. I have learned to be aggressive with this and now will occasionally resort to holding up a hand in their face to drive home the point that I do not want to hear gambling stories. Walking away works well too.
If I share I don't gamble -- only the other gambling addicts would question that choice.
Personally, I think sharing that I don't gamble is a form of service. If a person does want more details they could be fishing for a way out of their own personal hell.
In my mind only "smart" humans never tested gambling. Sure, many would remain unscathed if they did gamble, but it isn't worth the risk - because of the possibility of utter destruction w/ this addiction.