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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atticus63 08/01/2019

I don't know how many "active" members there are in this group right now. I have been on a long hiatus from this forum. It is weird to come back and see all the "new" changes. Lol. There was a time when all the changes were happening that I just couldn't even log on. Every time I tried to come to Daily strength I had to make a new password. Blech. Anyway, I took a break from my recovery. Big mistake (of course). I know it is going to sound like an excuse (and maybe it is one), but I began gambling again after a bad wreck. I was in a lot of pain and depression, which I know alot of you know alot about. There was a time where no amount of money, coercion or coaxing would have gotten me back into the casino...but, when you are just trying to feel nothing. I knew where to go. After all that, I just want to say- I'm ready to get back in the saddle and live the one day at a time way. It has taken me years to get back to right frame of mind. I was searching for the HOW- Honesty, Openmindedness and Willingness to come in out of the cold. The saying- It takes what it takes. is so true.

I would like to say hello to any of my friends that are still around and hope to make many new ones. I don't know how often I will be checking in, but at least a few times a week (hopefully). I am going to meetings, and have a great support system in place. I have not forgotten all I learned in my first bout of recovery, and for that I am grateful. I just want to remind people that all that is said about getting back is true. It is more than twice as hard. I don't recomend it. I was just 10 days shy of 3 years when I went back out. Please do yourself a favor and don't go there. Thanks for reading all this. Cheers!

yes2recovery 08/03/2019

Welcome back! I know it isn't easy to come back, but the stretch of clean time you had before you went out is not lost. Everything you did to stay clean during that time can help you as you get back into the saddle. Glad you're with us again!

Robin-Mc 08/03/2019

Welcome back and thank you for your post. I’m sorry to hear about the wreck you were in, and I do understand depression and pain. I have r/a and have suffered from depression for forever. This addiction never gets better when we go back out there, the insanity picks up right where it left off, then surges forward worse than ever. It’s not like a diet where you can cheat every once in a while.
I’m so glad you’re here. We need you.
One day at a time, sometimes one moment at a time, you’re right, it takes what it takes.
Today I will not gamble

skip88 08/06/2019

Atticus, relapsing is a part of recovery. Always has been and always will be. Have yet to meet the gambler that got it right the first time. It’s a journey, much as life is. When I hate losing more than I love winning its easy. The trick is for me staying in that mind frame. Hard to do all he time. That’s why I do not beat myself up or others that succumb to this. Part of facing life and living with this addiction. Good to hear from you.

healing57 08/07/2019

Welcome back to the group I found your post to be insightful and I learned a couple of new sayings. I hope you are feeling better from the accident and good job on restarting recovery. you can do it! Hugs

atticus63 08/08/2019

Thanks all. I am glad to be among my tribe. People who understand.
Hugs, back and healing57- did you ever hear the quickest way to double your money? Fold it in half and stick it back in your pocket!

joycatcher 08/12/2019

atticus .... lol on the double ya money joke. you know all the addicts will read that joke til the end :)))) glad you are back. sux to have to crawl back but you are here, and it sounds like you know where your seat is. good reminder for me that even with all those days of clean time, we are all the SAME distance to our next bet --- so i'll be a little more "attentive" to my recovery and slippery spots. best to you today

Getting_Out 08/14/2019

Welcome back atticus ......I also have went back a few times ....your not alone there. There were times when I thought I wouldn't but off I went. As you know...it's not easy......you think you have it licked and then bam ....your back at it again. I"m like Skip ....I REALLY REALLY hate losing ......so that is really what keeps me motivated to stay away from there. I"m planning on returning to work next month and I have plans on banking some of my money. I pray that all goes well with my job and my plans go exactly like I want them to. We shall see....wish me luck !!

yes2recovery 08/15/2019

I hope your plans work out as you want them to, Getting_Out.! My experience has usually been the opposite (man plans, God laughs) so I have learned that I need to have a Plan B and Plan C ...and as much preparation as possible to prevent relapsing when things don't go my way. That's one reason I have blocked my access to cash. Otherwise, when things go haywire, I'm always tempted to say forget it and go back out. It's my addicted brain's first response to stress, disappointment, and just about everything else so I have to head it off at the pass. I wish you well!

Getting_Out 08/16/2019

thank you ...yes2recovery.....I really want to take a trip with the money...so we shall see.

Trissa01 08/20/2019

Hi Atticus! Happy to see you. I rarely check in. Did today, saw a journal on a freinds page, her spouse inforning us she has passed peacefully (chronic illness)_. I'm not in GA group but have other A's in my history LOL Love you!

smokeygirl 10/19/2019

Hi E! I just had an awful experience today and went to this site!! I'm sorry to hear you had a bad wreck. I too have gone back to playing the slots from time to time and thought I had it all "under control" 3-4 times a year... well, we know that that was NOT TRUE. Sending you my positive healing thoughts and good wishes on getting into recovery again. Love you! SG

smokeygirl 10/19/2019

Hi, Hope you see my reply below if/when you get back on the site..

Qwit4Good 10/20/2019

Atticus! I missed you. So good to see you again! I have had several runs at recovery. My last slip was related to re-injuring my back injury shortly after a heart attack, in conjunction with moving, changing what I do in the day, several emotionally charged situations at home and with friends, grief, starting cigarettes again, depression wrapped up in the overconfidence of someone who has nearly five years of abstinence. The magical thinking began the moment I decided to gamble - "it will help the pain", " I could win", "I could have become a social gambler while I was abstinent". (Tested that - NOT true.) As though I could become 25 again instead of 65 this year.
Fortunately I still had some tools in place that helped contain the damage I could do to myself. I was only "out in the cold" a few hours. It was enough to get myself zombie-fied and frankly, piss me off and scare me at the same time.
I pray and hope it is my LAST relapse. I know it will not be today, because today, I will not gamble.
Welcome home Atticus.

resolved2succeed 05/21/2020

Atticus! I check in here ever so often too, and saw your post, and was so happy. I hope you are still poking your head in, and please please let us know how you are doing! Miss you, my friend

MikW11 06/26/2020

Hi atticus,

I remember when we first chatted in 2011. I can thankfully say I have been clean for 6 years but what a roller coaster it was. I hope you are well my old friend!

Sam

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