Glad you are not going to the C----- Candcand. Try to remember the pain you've felt after gambling. The long drive home. It's never good. That helps me when I start thinking about it. This is a very hard addiction so you have to put in everything you've got. I wish I would have been able to "get it" faster because I have dragged it out for so long while my life didn't get a chance to get better. Yes, I slowed down but I kept going back again and again. I had to start over so many times I got to the point that I hated myself. I almost gave up. Just this month I finally started counting my days on here and that is helping me tremendously. Now, I am accountable to this group. If I fail, I fail, and I know I will still be welcome here. But the cheers I get for making even a little progress are priceless. The friends here are so special to me. You will see. This is the place to help you recover. Maybe you could ask your Dad to do a little reading about compulsive gambling addiction. Go to the Gam-Anon web site and Print some things for him. Many people that it's a simple choice to stop gambling. He might gain an understanding of what you are dealing with and become more supportive in your recovery. Hugs & Love, Keep coming back! We'll all be here cheering you on! Cher

congratulations candcand on almost 7 days without gambling. that says something really special about you: you can quit..............emotional issues like you are talking about used to send me RUNNING to that place to get numb. now, I deal with the emotional issue, name the feeling I'm feeling (depression, anger, fear, etc) and think about the feeling. my sister had to go do some research on compulsive gambling to understand my inability to stop, even when we both wanted me to stop, I wasn't ready. you seem to be ready to stop....type all day if you have to, in order to not go today. Saturdays used to be one of my favorite gambling days. no work, etc..............but I brought my butt home, made sure I had no cash on me, and should be okay the rest of the day. I might have to 'type' every hour, too. good for you for resisting the urge for 6 days!

great ideas cherbear,

Getting your dad to see the whole picture off gambling
would probably help you,
but first get the help yourself.

Do the GA and here.
It is a must if you want to abstain from gambling,
you must learn how to do it from other people who
know how and you do need the empathy and compassion
to make the wholehearted committment to never go again.

We will be posting all night long if you wish,
call a good friend who DOESN'T gamble or
go and volunteer at the local whatever,
find something to occupy your mind if the urges
comes, go and help some little old person in the
neighborhood and see how good you feel after.
Make your brain engage in anything but thinking
of gambling and your body and heart will feel
so good you will think you've got a runners' high.

keep coming,
you are getting it
and doing good
so so cool !

I 'm sure your Dad wants to help. He just doesn't know how. As others have said, I would encourage him to find more information on compulsive gambling so he knows how to help you emotionally.. Not just financially.

I like what the others said about giving your dad some information so that he can help you in more positive ways. When we are already so full of despair- tough love doesn't really help in my opinion. What we need is a little compassion and someone to believe in us and that we can get well.

Congrats only our 7 days though. It's super hard- the urges don't last long though and setting things in place to help us is imperative in recovery I think.
Hope to see you here more.

Don't be to hard on your dad Candcand......he's just scared for you. Getting him some reading material will help him understand so go for it. Congrats on your GF time and yes it does get easier as time go bye but the thing you have to remember is to never let your guard down. There will always be temptations....friends wanting you to go out for a good time, stress, loneliness, boredom. Always remember you will get the support you need right here at this site, don't ever be afraid to ask for help.

It is funny how those who have no real knowledge of our disease feel we have some sort of control. We don't! That is the short of it. You owe your Dad money because you have a disease that caused you to be out of control. Now you are in control and you have to make amends. That means restoring your debt as you are able. I would tell my Dad that I have a disease and it has caused me great heart ache. I will pay you back when i am able. i want to pay you back and will as soon as I can. End of story. You cannot take blood from a stone. End of story.

Whoops! I was angry and went to the C.. and now I feel like ass. I know that I need to stop. I just feel so alone and the C has replaced people. Now I pray that the overdraft on my checking account will cover the rest of my rent or I am screwed... Arghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am sick and this needs to stop. I can't live like this anymore. My entire life is consumed by this crap and I can't stand it.

I would recommend you going to a GA meeting.

Yes - I know. I think it's time that I accept the fact that I am completely out of control.

candcand, forgive yourself quickly for going gambling. we all 'slip' up in the beginning. start to recognize the signs that led up to you going again. I would suggest frustration and stress about the conversations and disappointment you had with family members. (and I"m no therapist) usually, something is happening when we run back to our 'safe' place. anyway, hang in there.......just the fact that you came back and admitted it, means you're trying. keep coming back.

I found a meeting for tonight about 20 minutes away. Even if I have to drag myself kicking and screaming, I am going to it. You are all great people. I am glad that I have you to help me through this rough time. I think that I would lose it if I couldn't come on here and vent a bit. I have to stop replacing people with the C. It's not people. It's the enemy who is making me feel that it is giving me some money from time to time but then they just take it all back. It is all evil.

drag yourself to the meeting. It's only when we admit, gambling has whipped me, then interact with some people who fully understand, that we can began to recover. at least we can get some relief from the stress of gambling. when I first came back here I was just tired from gambling, and wanted a break from it. But, the desire to quit began to grow after I read about people who have made it 90 days, 30 days, 2 years, etc. Then it was like: well heck. if they can do it, so can I. but I had to admit I was powerless. Then I had to say:::::::::::: HELP ME........ and, no, I"m not 'fixed' yet. but doggone it, my head has cleared after a month away from it. if nothing else, I'm happy about the break from gambling. Recovery is indeed a process. please have a great, gamble-free today. one day at a time.