Whatever you described suited for basically every member of this group. So, you are in a very right place. What you did, I did too and plus. I have PTSD, depression, borderline manic. It doesn't mean, there is no way to get better. Please, don't let yourself to be concentrated on your mental issues, because it will not let you grow wings and fly away from addiction. If you had 1 visit to 1 therapist, who didn't help you - doesn't mean 2nd or 3rd therapist will not help you too. I had 6 psychologists, 1 psychiatrist and 1 hypnotherapist who worked with me. I was also on antipsychotic drugs, which I think was a waste of time. Only after I decided to make a change inside of myself and turn to simple life and daily positive thinking, which involves daily work on my defects, impulses and urges - nothing changed prior. In the state, where you are right now, I would recommend seeking support. First, call Gamblers Anonymous and attend GA meetings, where you'll find people with same struggles and you'll find great support there. Keep open minded and it will work. 2nd I would advise to seek for another therapist and go for one on one or group sessions.
And most important, your addiction doesn't define who you are and OCD with ADHD also not being major part of who you are also. You are much bigger and better. Open you eyes to yourself, get on doing the work on a daily basis.
One day at a time.
Hug, Vicky.

thank you

There is hope chrissy. You can have your old life back and can even have a better one than you've ever had. Like Vicky said, get some help. Try another therapist - mine specializes in addiction and has been a great resource to me. Try GA.
I've found that I have to work on this every single day. It was very hard at first but it has gotten easier.
This is a great resource too. Read over old posts. There is a gold mine of support and excellent information here.

Chrissy, I have found that I have to go after recovery with the same Time, Energy & Passion that I put into my gambling, and that is a lot! You have already heard from two very wise women. I would like to just add that NO ONE is beyond hope. As long as you are above ground, you can make your life into what you want. Never think that it is hopeless! The very fact that you found this forum is a wonderful thing. You are so right, it is exhausting. Give yourself a rest, and stay away from the Fing casino! Once you get a couple days under your belt you might be able to believe that it is doable, but as long as you go back day after day, you will feel hopeless.
Please keep coming back and do seek out help -I believe [for me] GA is a wonderful tool. For one thing it gets yourself out of your own head for an hour or two. Welcome and hugs ~atticus

Hi Chrissy
I will be perfectly honest with you. I have been gamble free for almost 5 weeks! If there is hope for me, there is hope for anyone. This was the first Christmas I was able to buy presents in 12 years!! I did the socks and candy many a times. I know the feeling!! Just know that there is hope!! You have come to the right place.

Rachel

Hi crissy,

Well, I think you have found a good place to start. I pretty much gave up on this "hobby" in July (a few little small slips here and there but nothing much really ... nothing compared to where I was going too fast IMO). It feels good to be free of this habit going nowhere!

I think the longer you can stay away, the better you feel over time as you tend to find other things to do with your time other than go to these rat holes that steal all of your money.

I hope you can find some sanity somewhere amidst this chaos you are caught up in.

The word around here to "that voice" is "hell no I won't go!".

Take care crissy and you CAN do it!!

Hi Chrissy, welcome!
Of course there is hope for you... there is also much work to be done. Find GA in your area and begin to attend the meetings, find a sponsor and work the steps of the program.
yes, you can get better despite your disorders.
The best treatment I have found for not gambling is to simply stay away from the casino and find other things to do with my time and $.
There are many wonderful, understanding ppl here who are willing to help... so get busy and get better!

THere is hope for you because Im 46 and i have 6 kids and I quit! I have done sooooo many awful things. I stole checks and forged signatures. I have lied all the time. I have done the worsed things because of gambling. ENOUGH STOP!!!!!! Your a good person just stop

It takes a long time for us to get to the point where we want to stop gambling and we realize we cannot do it alone. We need support. This site is a GREAT start. There are some wonderful people on this site with deep, honest, words of encouragement. We are not alone on the road to being gamble free. The good thing is that you want to stop. Life without gambling is normal. What gambling does to us is not normal. Gambling steals our joy! Let us work towards getting our joy back and kick gambling to the curb.
Chrissy, you are in a good place! The energy here will help you stay strong and fight. When you feel the urge to gamble, comes to this site. Just read the posts and feel the determination that comes with the desire to quit gambling. It took time to get here, give it time and the urges to gamble will fade.
Peace, love and blessings

And yes.........there is hope!

Hi Chrissy and welcome to our home.....

The "family members" you just heard from have given you wonderful advice; please know that every single one of us have been at the same place that you are now......and we are here to support you. If you've decided that "enough is enough" and it most certainly feels like you have....it is really important that you get as much support as you can while beginning the journey to be gamble free. GA and this site has been my saving grace. Get your hands on the GA materials, and get yourself to a meeting. You will find so much support and wonderful therapy to combat this addiction.

Like Atticus said, you've got to be willing to put as much time and effort into arresting this addiction as you did finding creative ways to
feed the beast, and this is, without a doubt, one of the nastiest
bastards of an addiction that you will ever find. !

There is hope, Chrissy....and you have it within you to get through it. We'll be here to support you.....just take it one day at a time!

Warm regards, Tagg

I date a gambler - we have been unable to save any money for a marriage, yet she still talks of being able to have it all. I guess a big win seems like the best plan to her instead of saving up slowly. I would say taking it one day at a time (don't gamble today and next day make the same promise just for today) go to meetings! Tell everyone that you are not gambling, not buying lottery tickets or even playing penny ante poker with them. This way they will ask you about your progress, and you can tell them it has been 1 week, one month 1 year etc......