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

nolongerlosinit 02/26/2011

I feel like my mind is playing tricks on me. Like I have an angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other. I catch myself daydreaming about the feeling I would start off with when I gambled. The feeling by the time I quit was usually horrible, but that feeling is much further away. I am only on day 6. This is a lot harder than I ever imagined. The angel tells me to be strong and proud of myself and to add another day to my GF lifestyle. The devil is much louder and tells me that I deserve to relax, I deserve to have fun, I wouldn't be hurting anyone, I have money I have time...enjoy myself. I even go so far as to think if something bad happened I would then have an excuse to gamble. I know I am sick and this proves it to myself. The one thing that I keep coming back to is that I do not want to have to start over again on day one. I had 9 days last time. I have tried to quit so many times to save my life and the one thing helping me is my competitive nature not wanting to go back to square one. I don't know how long that is going to work for me. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!! :)

deleted_user 02/26/2011

Hi!Thanks for sharing. The first word of 1st step tells it all for me."we" admitted we powerless over gambling,and "OUR"lives had become unmamageable. I can't stay sober.but,"we"can. I need my meetings.meetings make it. a sponsor. A phonelist . A commitment and a constant contact with the program.For me,I must keep it simple. Go to a meeting.Prayers.

kenjiLeach 02/27/2011

I know how hard it is break the connection with gambling and having a good time. My favorite vacations were when I went to Vegas. Each time I would go to the local casino it triggered that excitement.

I know it is very important to have positive thoughts, but forgetting the feeling of losing over and over at the casinos is something we should not let go of.

That feeling is the only real feeling that the casinos give us because of our addictive behavior. By quitting we because real winners and experience a new freedom that we took for granted.

Hang in there and stay focused on freeing yourself of this addictive behavior. You can do it..:).

Kenji

deleted_user 02/27/2011

I have those same feelings. At times, the urge/anxiety seems unbearable. I was going to the gym when I had that "extra energy". It kind of got ruined when a friend of mine asked if I wanted wine..wasn't thinking straight, and the devil took over!
Let me remind you what it's like to start back at Day 1;
-first, I had to LIE
-secondly, I lost money (which could have been put towards debt)
-thirdly, because of the stress, I am now sick--maybe losing more money if I can't work
-fourthly, I felt DESPICABLE, OUT OF CONTROL (oh yes..YOU will too..YOU CANT control it)
-lastly and most important, I just lost 2 good days with my family because I am depressed over it. Thats not fair to them.

Eastwester has a point..it isn't fun. It's not fun being out of control--broken (inside and financially) -losing relationships, being miserable. Not fun

So the next time you hear that little devil...ignore him..
tell him out loud to get lost..
I did the last couple of days...empowering.

deleted_user 02/28/2011

I know it...It is so hard to quit gambling and the first stages of quitting are sooooo hard. It's literally like coming down off of drugs I've heard and I believe it. If you saw me when I first hit rock bottom you would probably think I was a drug junky even though I had never done drugs before. Now I know that gambling is pretty much the same as drugs. You get the high of the dopamine release when you gamble so I'm told....One day at a time and a lot of support. GA is a great place....

newstarttoday 03/25/2011

I screwed up big time today. And I am like you I think I feel okay and that I will just spend a little and leave. I don't leave and I wasted most of my pay check today. Remember how it feels when you blow it. You sound opposite from me though..it sounds like you tell yourself to enjoy yourself and go when things are going good. I tell myself when things are going bad that it's okay to de-stress at the casinos. Whatever our reason for going is, we all end up feeling the same way. I am making a comittment to make this my mission. Please do the same! Good luck!

Join the Conversation