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...

971 Members
6,389 Posts
0 Online
Addiction & Recovery
/ Gambling Addiction & Recovery Support Group

night and day

Tomm50
Tomm50
I have no problem wanting to and sticking to not gambling after a weekend of binge gambling. Monday my nerves are so rattled from losing money that I don't want to go near a casino. Tuesday I feel a little better because I did not gamble on Monday which makes me want to stay away even more. By Wednesday I realize how much better you can feel about life when gambling is not a part of it. Then Thursday gets here and I start to feel the effects of a long work week starting to tire out my mind, and the ill feelings about gambling start to fade for some odd reason. Then Thursday night football is right there on TV, and in my state, (Delaware) it is legal to bet on NFL football. If I can somehow get past that, by the end of Friday's work day nothing sounds better than "happy hour" at the casino. It is like night and day the view from Sunday night and Monday to Friday afternoon. I guess the ideal thing would be to find a Friday GA meeting or work together with someone else who also keeps replaying this scene.
stopat56
stopat56
I think you answered your own question: finding a GA meeting.

thanks for sharing your story. that is half of the battle: admitting we have a problem. then, we need to find a way to work on our problem. whether it is GA (the best), counseling, working the 12 steps, we stand a better chance of winning over our addiction when we are doing SOMETHING to stop.

keep in touch and let us know how you're doing.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi Tomm50. There used to be a GA meeting in Dover DE on Friday evenings. I attended a few times a couple of years ago, but at nearly an hour away from my home (I live in MD) it was a bit too far for me. Also, to get there I had to drive right past 2 casinos (one of which Harrington - my "home" casino and where I did the most damage) and at that time I found that to be too much of a temptation. It was a relatively small group of about 6-10 people back then, but a good mix of veterans and those new to recovery. You can check the GA website to see if it's still around. Also I'd be happy to buddy up as accountability partners. Message me if you're interested. I've never been involved in sports betting, but was a heavy slots player for more than 5 years. Am now 130 days in recovery and couldn't be happier to be off the rollercoaster you described. Sending you strength and determination to break the cycle. It is so worth it!!!
Leapyear22
Leapyear22
wow, so, maybe not football, but I can relate to remorse on a Sunday, the lack of energy or self confidence on Monday, and by Saturday, ready to do battle again? That is called insanity btw. For me, its easy to convince myself, it wasn't that bad, or I can handle it, or I have control now..... bottom line is, I don't, I never will, I'm a compulsive gambler, and one bet for me, is too much. MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, AND AGAIN. one bet, any day of the week, and twice on Sunday, is too much. xoxox