Great idea about rewarding yourself when you do not go but use the bank instead. Too much to have that stash around the house in a weak moment. At least you have to think about it that way. Every time I think about doing something stupid I go up to the bank and make a deposit . A penalty that in reality helps. Also doing what you did in your mind by taking the casino trip all the way through is a sign your healthy part of your mind is fighting the sick part. Let it take over and fight for your life with every fiber of your existence. It is so worth it when that damn gorilla is finally off your back and You make all the decisions, not your addiction. Keep up the good work!,,

Nice one. You made the right choice and how good does it feel. I've found it's a split decision between disaster and wellbeing. Keep up the good work !

@icoi -- Check back everyday and tell us how you're doing! Accountability really works for me. I've wanted to relapse SO BAD lately but coming here is keeping my head on straight.

I did go back to the casino, last night after work! Hate that stupid place! Luckily I only had $25 cash on me. My cards were at home 50 min away. Thank God! I'm cutting my cash supply somehow. I don't want to tell my mom I went back to the casino (she managed my cards last time) and my boyfriend moved out of town recently. Maybe I can ask the bank to not let me withdraw? Or just send my card to my boyfriend and only get cash when the bank is open with ID?

Any other ideas? After I got passed 1 month GF I did really well. I just wanna get a month under my belt!

Thanks for listening guys.

you could cut up the card and, as you said, go into the bank with ID for needed cash (which you will probably rarely need). Once you feel more in control you can just order a new ATM card.

Hi @icoi!

Some ideas:
1.) Hire a payee. Someone you pay $25-100 or so per week to take your paychecks, pay all of your bills, put some money into savings, and issue you a small allowance in cash. It can be a trusted friend, an accountant, or a coworker. If you don't want to tell them that you have a gambling addiction, maybe you say that you are spending too much money lately, need help saving, or heard from Dave Ramsey or Suze Orman that this was a good way to manage your finances.

2.) Self-ban or speak to the manager at your local casino. Some states have self-ban programs. On the other hand, many casinos will let you self-ban from their facility only for a specific amount of time if you let them know that you are a pathological gambler and are concerned you will harm yourself if you keep attending.

3.) Schedule, schedule, and overschedule some more. I wanted to gamble last night, but I made dinner plans with a friend at 7:30, so I couldn't drive to the casino and back in time, nor could I go after without my husband suspecting something was going on. Make plans with friends and family you will want to keep. Sign up for classes and pay in advance. Commit to as many activities as possible so it's a real hassle to find time to go to the casino.

4.) Buy something really nice on a credit card that you've always wanted and put it on autopay. It can be a trip, a new car, a great outfit, an incredible handbag, remodels or improvements to your home, or a wonderful gift for someone else. You're stuck making payments for a while. Maybe this isn't the best advice for most people, but for compulsive gamblers, you are investing in an asset rather than throwing money away at a casino/feeding your addiction, which is infinitely better.

5.) Get a goal-oriented hobby. Run a race on a certain date, and then you have to train. Go on vacation on a certain weekend, so then you have to save up enough for meals and activities and souvenirs. Sign up for a competition in something you're good at so you have to practice/train.

Thanks all for the replies. @nancyzoman I really like the idea of signing up for a race. I love to run but I'm not in the best shape. I think I'm going to do that this weekend and really make exercise a daily thing.

I'm going to figure out a plan this weekend to get my cash out of my possession.

When I became serious about beating my problem. I hired a trainer for 12 weeks. It made a huge difference in how I felt about myself. I did relapse shortly after I was done with the 12 weeks. Now I am going to the gym regular on my own. It is amazing how good a person can sleep when they work out and don't have the sounds and lights of the casino doing a number in your head all night.