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...

971 Members
6,389 Posts
0 Online
Addiction & Recovery
/ Gambling Addiction & Recovery Support Group

Having a bad week

Mjgnotmtj
Mjgnotmtj

My life has been pretty rough lately and I am missing the oblivion of gambling. It's been almost 3 weeks gf and although that's not a long time it feels like it to me. I have been going to GA meetings 3 days a week but the loneliness and sense if loss is still there. I don't want to go down that path of destruction but man it can be tough dealing with disappointments and stress at times. Surrendering to God is hard.  I didn't get this promotion at work and I'm pretty bummed about it. Wasn't even aware how much i wanted it  til I didn't get it.. and then again I might be using it as an excuse but life has been pretty crazy lately for me and I miss the casino bad some days. Reaching out now cause what else is there to do? Just wanted to share. Have a wonderful day everyone. 

yes2recovery
yes2recovery
Sorry you're having a bad week, and really glad you reached out instead of going back out. Keep in mind that it will take some time for your brain to heal from the massive amounts of dopamine it got from gambling. The physical withdrawal is real, and it can make everything else that's happening in your life seem worse. Be kind to yourself, especially during this vulnerable time. Like you, I struggled with surrendering to a Higher Power. It seemed like cheating. I believed that because I had always been a responsible person, I was supposed to handle and work through everything myself, especially because I had messed up so badly. Now I believe that I'm responsible for my choices AND that I have the acceptance, help, and guidance of my HP. There's much I don't know, but a couple of things I do know for sure: I can only do this one day at a time, and the "next right thing" is never gambling. Please know that you're not alone, and that the effort to stay gf is worth it.
Mjgnotmtj
Mjgnotmtj
Thank you for the encouragement and support. It helped to have somewhere to vent and someone who understands. Still taking it one day at a time, trusting God's plan for my life and working my recovery. Hope all is well with you and everyone out there. Be blessed.
joycatcher
joycatcher
Dear M You wrote so succinctly. I could easily see replacing the gambling word for booze, drugs, etc. Shows what a strong pull this "behavior" has on our brains! Our brains crave those pathways we've fully CARVED for escape, pleasure, dopamine. But alas, the damage emotionally, financially, spiritually, physically is VERY DARK and very deep. Gambling addicts have the highest suicide rate of all addiction groups. It is no wonder.
You're early yet in breaking away, and believe me, it DOES GET EASIER! The brain needs to detox and I just had to white knuckle and get thru the first day, then first week, first month and I will say at 30 day 60 day and 90 day marks I felt much better w/ each benchmark.
Hang in there. I am working on creating a life I don't want to escape. That is my goal and as said by yes2recovery you are not alone. Stay the course any way you can. Call 1800 gambler line, go to GA to get numbers of people who you can call, exclude yourself from casinos, install gam block if you're online -- all these tools will help. BEST of everything to you.