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 am now 22 days GF. Some thoughts:
1. Part of me thinks "goddamn, you didn't realise how long 3 months was when you set that goal. I mean, this is only like 23% of the way there". But the funny thing is, when I think about it like that in terms of progress (or the Windows loading bar) it gives me a goal to achieve instead of feeling aimless.
2. The scary thing about this addiction is that it starts to become you. It starts to rationalise like you. For the last week or so, I have been thinking about how my non-gambling has stopped my extra source of income (I had a bit of a winning streak going). I miss that extra source of income. I really do. Maybe I should pick it up again to make that extra income?
AHA! See? That's where you realise it has attached itself to your mind and started rationalising like you.
I have also been stressed at work, and the thought of going for a gamble to relax is akin to a hard working blue collar worker thinking of a cold glass of beer after work.
3. I am taking a day off work tomorrow, and the temptation to just get my credit card and go to the casino is huge. But I do have another plan - just to drive to the mountains and enjoy nature.
4. I did go to the casino a few nights ago (without my credit card) to watch. The people there seemed dull, lifeless, and sad. I wondered why I even became a part of that. Or was I above that?
In any case, it sure seemed that the thought of gambling was 'romanticised' in my head, because when I saw the actual thing, it was nothing like the fantasy in my head. It's kinda like see a girl with make up and without make up (sorry don't mean to offend girls).
That is all.
1. Part of me thinks "goddamn, you didn't realise how long 3 months was when you set that goal. I mean, this is only like 23% of the way there". But the funny thing is, when I think about it like that in terms of progress (or the Windows loading bar) it gives me a goal to achieve instead of feeling aimless.
2. The scary thing about this addiction is that it starts to become you. It starts to rationalise like you. For the last week or so, I have been thinking about how my non-gambling has stopped my extra source of income (I had a bit of a winning streak going). I miss that extra source of income. I really do. Maybe I should pick it up again to make that extra income?
AHA! See? That's where you realise it has attached itself to your mind and started rationalising like you.
I have also been stressed at work, and the thought of going for a gamble to relax is akin to a hard working blue collar worker thinking of a cold glass of beer after work.
3. I am taking a day off work tomorrow, and the temptation to just get my credit card and go to the casino is huge. But I do have another plan - just to drive to the mountains and enjoy nature.
4. I did go to the casino a few nights ago (without my credit card) to watch. The people there seemed dull, lifeless, and sad. I wondered why I even became a part of that. Or was I above that?
In any case, it sure seemed that the thought of gambling was 'romanticised' in my head, because when I saw the actual thing, it was nothing like the fantasy in my head. It's kinda like see a girl with make up and without make up (sorry don't mean to offend girls).
That is all.
So good to see you here and wow,! 22 day, my man-that's what I like to hear! Congratulation! Going to the casino as an innocent by-stander must have been an enlightening experience ...I, too have thought I doing the same thing, just to paint a mental picture in my head of the faces...perhaps test my telepathy abilities trying to pick up bits and pieces of the thoughts going through the minds of those very same people -images of the old me.
But then, I gave it more thought, and decided that the funeral for the old me will be a closed casket service. No viewing is necessary to remember that person, for the memories of her are forever etched in my heart.
Take care my friend and enjoy your day off.
Be well and stay strong!
Kindly, Tagg