Good luck and Godspeed. You are in the right place. We are trying to take the bull by the horns on this site. Its an interesting battle. The further we get the more warped it can become though. Its a hell of a challenge. Its easy to screw up and gamble away our money and pride. Its hard to be stand up people that carry themselves with dignity and respect. Those that beat this insanity will accept that challenge. If you need to talk, Im here. Good luck and stay the course.

Hello, I hit rock bottom about a week ago. I felt so bad for effecting others and myself. It will be a long fight for me. I looked everywhere for help... This one place I feel the folks here understand me. I believe we all deserve so much better. Looking back at the money I lost, the people I have hurt, the sick feeling I have had, the whole thing made me realize. I have a sickness. We are all here to help ourselves & others get through this monster of will. Gambling has left me with regrets. Wishing I could have turned the clock back 6 months and never would have walked through the doors of the casino... My life would have been full of rewards. I would be enjoying better relationships. Would have more money in the bank. My self esteem would be high! Etc....

We all agree that gambling has taken so much away from us already. I would like to find the magic bullet but I am painfully aware that it does not exist.

I also know that compulsive gambling is a sickness....it is not a lack of willpower. My one on one counselor has told me over and over how a compulsive gamblers brain is like a faulty light switch. She has demonstrated to me by flickering the switch on and off rapidly...it is malfunctioning. She has a masters in social work and she is a certified gambling counselor so she has a lot of insight into gambling. Plus...more importantly, she works with the addicted every single day. Their is no book that can teach us better than watching it play out for real.

One thing we talk about in sessions and in group is that it has a strong genetic connection. My family has a history of compulsive gambling...the truth is we may have been vulnerable to becoming addicted because of genetics.

I try not to use that as an excuse to gamble and then say that it's just not my fault. I know I need to take responsibility for actions and I know their are consequences. I am so aware of that.

My message is that because we are already susceptible to a dangerous and costly addiction/illness, we need to remember that as long as we do not put that first dollar into the slot or the money on the table we are in control...not gambling.

Hang in there...all of us...we can do this!!!

As long as we all come here for our Daily Strength it is time we are not spending gambling! We can do this together!

Hi all,

Howie....it's said that where there is room in the heart, there's room in the house. Welcome to your new home....come on in, and make yourself comfortable! We're all here for the same reason. We have compassion and understanding for each other's plights. Most importantly, as our united front, we will forge into this battle of a lifetime with certainty that victory can be achieved with the help of everyone's encouragement and support.

Ivapow...grab hold of those WCS's (woulda's, coulda's shoulda's) and let them occupy a small part of your heart. Remember them for what they are, the past. Last week you started your journey to find new WCS'...the Will, Can and Shall's of today and many good tomorrows...let THEM take residence in and dominate the rest of that real estate in your heart! Keep fighting!

Jabot, as always, keep that determined spirit, the magic bullet may not be speedy, but it will have constancy in the end...

And Cherbear...as a TEAM...
Together
Everyone
Achieves
More!

Wishing you a night of hopeful dreams....Tagg

Good morning All...Thank you all for your welcome and support!! It is such a huge relief and help to know others are behind you and can share their experience with this awful addiction.

To Bbird I plan to stay the course with the help of others on this site...I know we can do this together;
To Ivapower We all hit rock bottom at some point. You are fortunate that you reached this point only after 6 mos and not after years of battling and losing everything. I know it will get better for you as it will for all of us who take it one day at a time with the help of others.
To Jabot, I too heard this is genetic and certainly has familial ties for me. The good news is I know my other family members quit many years ago and have seen a happy fulfilling life after gambling.
To Tagg20 Thank you for your words of encouragement and welcome! Looks like we live in the same area (I'm from PA). You can understand the temptations around here and how they grew as gambling became more accessible in this area. We'll have each others backs to stay strong!

Hope I can help anyone who is in need. I am on the computer a lot as I work out of my home so if anyone needs to talk...I am here.