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 have a very close friend that enjoys gambling from time to time and does not have a problem. Is it fair to ask that person not to gamble just because I have a problem. She does not invite me to go because she does not want to hurt my recovery, but sometimes it is very hard on me when I know that she is there, and I am not. Especially when we go on a trip together, I feel bad asking her not to gamble when she is on vacation because I can't. Instead I make a list of things that I can do instead of going to the casino. What are your thoughts on this?
In short, I would ASK her not to gamble when you're traveling together, but I wouldn't insist; and, moreover, I would try and not put yourself in that position to begin with.
I was discussing a somewhat related topic with my wife the other night. I said that when gambling, most "regular" gamblers are "compulsive" gamblers for the night (or day or trip) in my personal opinion and that mentality is infectious at best. To be more clear, I think we've all seen the boisterous gambler when we were out or the one that isolates like many of us have done, but they can stop (perhaps, perhaps not) and walk away when done, but while in action, they're in action and that sort of thing begets bad things, even it can be turned off. I've had many a "friend" ask for a quick loan for that last bet while at the casino or whatever, but pay it back later or that night, but it sort of pulls you into their action and that can be a really disastrous type of thing. Anyway, just my 2 cents.