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...

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lisadawnb 10/06/2013

I haven't posted on here in a while. I can't write in my journal using my phone so I'm starting a discussion and maybe help myself and someone else. A lot of you know I had been gf for over7 months. My s.o. and I decided to give it one more try. Let me tell you, VERY BAD decision. For me with gambling, its all or nothing. There is no in between. Since I went back to the casinos I've been approx 8 Times. I have left with NO money left at all. All my bills are paid, but nothing left, so I went to the credit union and borrowed enough to have plenty to live on, but I (we) took 1/2 gambling yesterday and the other 1/2 today to win back what we lost. Now no money and will take 21 months to pay back what took a couple hours to lose. My life was so much better before when I as gf. Now I hate myself again for being so naive and stupid. God how I frickin HATE this damn disease. From this day on, casinos will forever be a distant memory for me. Thanks for listening. Love and Hugs Lisa

deleted_user 10/06/2013

This addiction is the worst. For such a long time I tried to believe I could gamble normally. It never happened... I would always stay in the casino until I had a substantial loss. Even if I won... I would stay until I lost that.

I think about how hard I work and how many students I have to see.... how many times to make up the money I lost. When I figure it out, it is truly astounding. I lose so quickly.. and have to work SO HARD to make up those staggering losses.

I wish you the best. You have shown that you can stay gamble free for a long time and have also become aware that your life is better when not gambling :)

It will get better once again as you stay away from the bet over time.

All the best to you. :)

JohnnyZ36 10/06/2013

hi lisa. great to see you back! sorry about the unfortunate circumstances. have went thru the same thing 100s of times . im actually glad the last time i went i won and lost it all back(and alot more) in the same day. otherwise i would have kept returning anyway til it was all gone. it really is frustrating, i do good and save up almost ever dollar. basically a cheapass haha . then i blow a ridiculous amount in a matter of hours. hang in there my friend. you will get back on track. time will pass. Seems to be slowly at first...but im already back at 43 days gf. love and hugs Johnny

lisadawnb 10/06/2013

Thank you for letting me know you're here for me! That means a lot right now.
Johnny... I can't believe its been 43 days already!!! Congrats!!
I guess it just took me longer to finger it out. Casinos= Losing. I knew that , guess I just needed to have it slap me in the face yet again. I plan on starting over as of right now.. Tomorrow is my day 1 gf!!
Hugs Lisa

cloris 10/06/2013

Thank you for telling us about your relapse. It is a good reminder that the simple truth is: we can never gamble again. I have moments where that thought really scares me, and I have other times where I think "big deal, I have gambled enough for five lifetimes, I am done." You reminded me to keep up the fight. I have been there a thousand times, trying to go back for just a little fun, and bam you are right back where you left off. Glad you are back on track.

kstray2711 10/07/2013

Hi Lisa - I am sorry, it is SO hard. I am new here but scared to do it again....and this weekend I had a "slight" relapse....not to the casino, but I bought scratch offs and lost a few hundred more. Keep strong today....that is what we can try to do. Sorry that happened and just keep working and 21 months is not that long - if you don't go back. IFFF you don't go.... 21 months in the whole scheme of things is just 2 years (slightly less). You can do it. It will be over in a few years if you can keep your chin up and avoid gambling life will get back to normal. Take care of yourself this week,

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