Use it as a learning experience.
What is your plan when you have a thought to gamble? Write it down, if you don't have one, it is time to make one. It is easier to intervene in the cycle if you catch it when it is a thought and not a full-blown urge. Then what is your plan when you have an urge to gamble? Write it down, if you don't have one, make one.
I have a plan for thoughts that includes the H.A.L.T. exercise. I ask myself am I hungry, angry, lonely or tired? I also add B for bored and C for needing to celebrate. I have a plan written out for each of what I am going to do in each case, instead of gambling. (Like eat something healthy when I am hungry, call a friend when I am lonely, etc.) Although it sounds silly to write it out it somehow makes it more available to my brain in the heat of the moment if I have written it out.

The cycle goes from thought --->urge---->plan--->action
It is harder to intervene and redirect oneself at each step. So we compulsive gamblers' only hope is to intervene at the thought stage or the urge stage, as when we start planning (how to get $, etc) it is way harder and nearly impossible once we have our hands on the gambling method and we are in action.
It sounds to me from your post that you need to have a different strategy for dealing with stress. Yes, while the reels are spinning, the dopamine makes us feel better, but so does exercise, talking to a friend, artwork, doodling, coloring, hiking, meditation, etc.
It never feels like it will fill the void of gambling because nothing will give us the massive dopamine fixes that gambling for hours, or days can do. But we can be happier, healthier and have a fuller life without gambling. Without gambling I am more present, not preoccupied when with people I care about, I am a better person to myself and to others when not gambling. It is worth the work. Hang in there, this is only a set-back and a learning experience, it does not have to crush your spirit. Give yourself kudos for be willing to come back and try again. Day one is the most important day, taking the most honesty, will power and humility.
Humility and honesty lead to Divine intervention.
Have a great gamble free day.

amerprin what's done is done. You didn't get the rush because you are not a high roller anymore. I have the same prob with betting sports. Need to bet big or feel nothing. I built up a bankroll but having success and started playing bigger and need to play that way or it's not worth it to me. A bad streak playing that way will crush anyone unless they have an unlimited bankroll. You could've lost 1,003 or 10,003 and be feeling worse even with losing the $103 that could've went to bills. You said you don't want to do this again then don't. Stay strong keep yourself busy with positive things. Definitely don't beat yourself up over it too much.

Hello, welcome back!

I could SO relate to your share. It got to the point in my gambling that if I didn't have at least 200 dollars to burn, I wasn't going .. but then of course, I would start writing checks and draining every single debit/credit card I could when the 200 was gone. Such a vicious cycle I put myself thru.
I hated myself for what I had done ... again! I don't know how many times I told myself I was NOT gonna gamble on any given day.... and lo and behold ... something would upset me or maybe something would even make me happy and off Id run to that dam casino. Ugh!!
If I make it thru today .. I will not have gambled in 9 days. And I was/have been gambling every day or at least every other day since April.
These withdrawls are killer. I have been trying my hardest to take the suggestions of others here in the group. Im staying busy... Im praying and asking God for help and asking Him to please, please, please take away my desire to gamble.
Tonite I am going to an AAA meeting ( all addictions anonymous).. it wont be my first one, but it is close and even tho its not GA, it will help if I let it.

Thanks everyone for responding. I appreciate all of your thoughts and advice. I will stay strong.

@amerprin - Through June and July, I followed your posts religiously. I think it was because you were about 14-20 days ahead of me on the journey, and I relied on your posts like a tour guide.

And when you eventually fell off the bandwagon, I started to follow your posts as a lesson in what could happen if I relapse.

In the past month or so, I've noticed that you haven't been posting as much. And perhaps I should send this as a private message and not as a public post, but I've missed reading your posts.

I also think that could be a part of why you have relapsed. Posting here reminds us that we do in fact have a problem, that it is a serious problem, and that we need to make a serious effort to stay in recovery. Gambling is often called "the hidden addiction" because we don't have obvious signs like drug or alcohol addicts. It's easy to deny, especially to ourselves. But coming here and hearing the same or similar stories, day after day, week after week, is to me a huge step in my commitment to recovery.

In other words, hope to see you here again more often :)

@Nancy

I believe that you are correct. I did drop off. But now I'm back and I will try to post more often. Thank you for the encouragement.

Anytime. It's hard to stay sober. I don't know if I could do it without posting here all of the time.

I too gambled yesterday. I had been doing so well, I am so disappointed with myself. I can not afford to lose what I did as well, mine was 180. Fascinating how it is true, if we drop off of here and do not stay committed to what we are trying to achieve we will not make it. I too feel I must be stronger and more diligent. I am so grateful yours was the first that I read.

I have started not to carry my debit card and only a limited amt of cash. But, the other day I had a couple cocktails not planning on it and my debit card was with me. BUMMER.....

For me I only gamble when I have had a couple cocktails and my inhibitions go down and I say "why not". Never a good outcome.

I sooooooooooooooo do not want to continue to gamble. I need to work harder on this and starting today I plan to leave my debit card at home the majority of the time. I also, may just have to stay at home for a while and not go out with friends. Or definitely not drink that one more. I am not a big drinker, but I am not a big person and so it doesn't take much! I KNOW BETTER!

Thanks everyone for being here your comments etc, I too will stay tuned in with this group. Thank you amerpin.....for letting me chat on your moment, I apologize.

I so don't want to do this anymore, and I am sooooooo tough on myself.

Thank you....let's do this!

Encouraging posts from everyone. Good to hear everyone's insights and let's continue the fight together

Keep fighting. It's not easy. I'm getting itchy now. Some friends are watching the games having a good time. I'm watching alone without drinking or gambling but it is sure tempted to go join them, get my drink on and place a bet. A week clean been so productive. Workouts and diet so much better. That's more important than gambling. Have to stay strong.

Frank hang in there.....stay at home, good for you! Keep posting on here periodically or do something different at home.

I understand I am headed out, but am afraid of myself ...crazy huh! I plan to leave debit/credit and checks at home and take only $15! One day one step.

All I know is that I have made a decision I need to WORK SO MUCH HARDER AT THIS....that is my determination. It is not an easy journey.

We can do this....keep reaching out! You are doing fantastic STAY STRONG!

Frank, I hear you. I also bet a lot on NFL and college football that was my biggest weakness.

Thanks for the encouraging words ibelieveican. Glad to read you are taking the right step over there. Going with that amount of $ seems like a good idea with no debit card.

Strength tough time of year now with football going nhl is back and before you know it NBA and college hoops. So will be tons of games to bet on. Have to fight the urge.

Hope you made it through ok yesterday Frank........hope everyone didn't at least fall too far!

The important thing is to get back up, start over and be stronger!

Thanks ibelieveican I made it thru the day gamble free. Feels good being clean over a week. I hope you did as well and everyone else.