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...
I just came from the Casino today and felt so STUPID for having even gone. I can't afford to just blow money away. I've been battling this since 2010. When people try to help me, I screw that up by relapsing again until they give up on me (can't blame them a bit). I lost a sponsor a, good GA friend and I am so tired of going back to GA and starting over again. Right now, It all depends on me and my really wanting to change my behavior and deal with this. The only thing I can really see is that I have a gambling addiction period and with this addiction I have to stop because if I don't, I will get myself in a financial state that I won't be able to get myself out of. It's hard to write this, because I am an intelligent person except when it comes to gambling. Its like my IQ drops to a moron intelllgence when I'm there. i'm going to check in at this website everyday for 90 days starting now. I heard that it takes 30 to 90 days for the brain nuttiness to stopI hope you all don't mind my rambling. Its up to me now, I know this. I.ll talk with you all tomorrow
We are sick people trying to get well.
It isn't stupidity or ignorance but addiction that is oh so powerful.
Some of us get caught in the gambling to make extra money, and others do it for the thrill, not needing money, but then spend so much of it, well leading to the main problem. We are probably better off buying something with that money, and then selling the item on a later date...when we need them money...even taking a loss on an ipad, instead of gambling it away is better...would at least give us something else to do.
It doesn't matter the stupid amount of money one makes...you start off small...progress to insane bets. I've basically lost 400k in two or three years. I'm one bad month at work, from losing everything.
Reflecting on the stupid moves, of betting $100.00 slot spins, just brings up emotions of stupidity...yes of our IQ's drop you say. We are all risk takers....we need to replace this risk taking...with another non-financial winning mechanism. Something to keep busy...sorry for such a long reply.
Here are some other things that have helped me maintain abstinence:
1) Started exercising daily (slowly and gently at first)
2) Counseling -Escaping was my reason to gamble - now when I have a feeling I want to run away from, I try to run toward it.
3) Revived old hobbies and added new ones (photography, hiking, painting, drawing, collages, pocket billiards, writing poetry.)
4) Ended several toxic and UN-supportive friendships and surrounded myself with a loving community-I will not hang out with mean people or those that make me feel "lesser than"
5) Use hypnosis video for gambling cessation I found on You Tube
6) Changed some of my false beliefs about gambling (i.e.:That it is fun, that it is something I deserved, that I could get ahead, that it relieves stress.) These beliefs are childish "magical thinking"
7) I journal to express feelings
8) Face to face support group
9) I make play dates with friends for playing Scrabble, Cribbage and to go hiking.
10) I started practicing meticulous self-care (Including H.A.L.T.)
11) Gave up on the idea that I could be a "social" gambler again
12) I have a list of phone numbers including an 800 help line and people I can call when I have an urge.
13) Revived my relationship with my higher power which was nearly wasted away from neglect.
14) I avoid places where gambling happens
15) I have told just about every one I know, and many I do not know about my problem. (You are only as sick as your secrets.) Amazingly, each time I make myself vulnerable by sharing this dark secret, it's power over me dissipates. (Strength in vulnerability.)
16) Remember that all I really need to do is figure out the next right thing to do and do it. (One little step at a time.)
I have been struggling with problem gambling for over 20 years. The first couple of attempts to quit, I did not want to quit, I wanted my counselor to use the "magic wand" method to make me a social gambling again.
This time I hit a rude miserable bottom that was shear hell, and I was willing to do EVERYTHING I could do EVERY DAY to arrest this insidious disease.
Not only can we get ourselves in a terrible financial state many end up with felonies incurred while trying to support their gambling habit. Suicide rates are very high among problem and compulsive gamblers. It is imperative that we learn to tune in to our needs and take care of ourselves.
I also wrote a goodbye letter to gambling, which my counselor suggested, which helped me resolve to commit myself to change.
I apologize for how long this is, and maybe is a little too much for you at this point. I hope these tools are helpful to you. You have made the first step in the right direction.
(((Hugs))) and prayers.