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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How Do I Survive Boredom?

candcand
candcand
Congratulations to me because I haven't gambled in a week. This is the first weekend in many months that I am not sitting at a slot machine. Instead I am at home spending time with my amazing kitty cat thinking about all of the time he had to spend alone because of my selfishness. I have no one to call because I have pushed all of my friends away. I can't spend any money to do anything because my account is drained. The casino became my "friends" and now it's gone. I know that this is for the best but I am just so bored out of my mind. I have to clean my disgusting apartment. I can't even begin to describe what a dump it's become.. and I have tons of weight to lose. Aside from all of these things to do I am just so lonely. I don't even want to branch out socially. I just don't want to invest any time in making new friends. It all seems so exhausting to me. I am sure that over time it will all get better but this is how I feel right now at this very moment and it stinks.
redsor
redsor
There are lots of GA meetings in your area. Go to some and you will feel better.
This is just a suggestion.
John
Cherbear2012
Cherbear2012
Great job Candcand on one week of freedom! Now keep going! I have had the same problem with bordom. It's so hard to get motivated. That is normal when you first quit gambling. Many people here have given me some great ideas. It is hard to do them at first but they will make you feel better.

Here are a few,
Watch movies, get outside, take a walk, read, start a hobby, call an old friend or relative, plant something or garden, people watch, listen to music, watch the sun set or rise.

I believe that the best things in life are free! The great outdoors has much to offer. Watching animals and birds is really fun too. Just pick a few and do them. You will feel better soon. Just stay away from the casino and your life will get better! Hugs! Cher
Leapyear22
Leapyear22
Meetings are a good thing, but it sounds like you have little motivation, I have been there before too. Maybe, turn your computer onto some of your favorite music, mine is country. And take a baby step into feeling better about yourself, start with your home, do some housework, listen to the music and escape into the work, even though you may not want to do it, it will help you with the time, boredom, and it will make you feel better about yourself. You got this, just be good to yourself, you deserve it. And if you do listen to country music as you clean your house, Blake Shelton is my favorite :) hang in there.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Congratulations on one week. Today is one week for me as well, although my story is a little different and I shouldnt be bored but when the urge to go to the casino hits...I have plenty to do but then sit and sulk and feel extremely bored. Last night I wanted to go to play the slots so bad and felt so bored..I went to bed at 8:00pm. Now that isnt what I should do but I am hoping with time..I will be able to do other things vs wasting time in bed. My story is different because I shouldnt be bored. I am married with 4 kids, the kids live at home but arent always here. They are ages 17 through 24. Try reading a book, writing a journal, drawing or coloring, listening to music, cleaning something in your apartment for 15 minutes at a time- once started the 15 minutes may turn into 30 minutes and you will feel productive :) These were things suggested to me..I know I choose to go to bed early yesterday but on Friday I did do some of those things :) One day at a time
And dont look at how far you have to go..think of how far you have come already :) HUGS