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...

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Chickiegirl89 05/24/2018

I'm new to this group and have never joined a support group online. I have been a compulsive gambler since 2003, with a stint of abstenence for 4 years. I have been gambling again since 2014 and have not gotten myself in to as much trouble as I did before my abstinence. In 2004, I was actually forced to start going to GA because I committed a crime. It was part of my requirement for probation. I worked for a bank as an officer and I was in the middle of a gambling binge. Married with 2 children, I got myself in to a huge mess. Stole from the bank, stole from my parents, isolated everyone from me. Of course, I lost my job, my house and my career. Ultimately, I lost my marriage as well. It took years to get my life back and I decide I can gamble responsibly this time. Well, in the beginning I did. Now, I am afraid I am back in that dark place. I have borrowed a lot of money and am now in a position where I can't borrow anymore. I have not committed any crimes, thank god. I want to stop so badly. I don't feel I can go back to GA. I've been in and out of that group many times and just feel I can't do it again. My biggest obstacle is what do I do with my time when I stop gambling. My kids are grown, so now I am on my own. Nothing to hold me accountable. I just need people to talk to. Hoping this is a safe place where I can find some advice and support.

yes2recovery 05/24/2018

Welcome to the group. The sad truth of it is that once we cross that line into compulsive gambling, we can never go back to gambling responsibly. I've really struggled with that, and it's still one of the hardest things for me to accept about this addiction. I'd like to believe I'm smart enough and strong enough to handle it in moderation. Wrong. Addiction takes no prisoners, and no matter how good our intentions are, it doesn't take long to be right back at the bottom of the hole, usually deeper than before. I know GA isn't for everyone but maybe you can find some private counseling or other face-to-face support in addition to this forum. It can really help. The Nat'l Gambling Help Line might have some resources for you: 1-800-522-4700. Qwit4Good has a lot of great posts on this forum with suggestions of things to do instead of gambling, so you might want to look for those. Glad you're here.

itsjustmeagain 05/25/2018

You will be done, when you are done, you can try to do things and never give up strategies to obstain, this isnt easy, totally sucks actually, i cant believe my brain is so calm and not interested in gambling one minute and then RAGING to get to the casino in the next, its a constant battle, the recovery time for me after a binge is horrendous, i physically cant keep going thru that, so i hold on w/the knowledge its what im gaining not losing, i look at life so diff now, notice the small things, cherish my friends, and family and look forward to a good life...you'll be ok, some day some how it will all kick in and work out, that day is up to you, just be kind to yourself...this is not easy give yourself some credit....God Bless

Robin-Mc 05/25/2018

This is a safe place. Our backgrounds are different but our stories are very much the same. It still boggles my mind that this addiction can creep back into our lives like a thief in the night. When I try to remember details of why I gave into an urge to gamble, knowing the havoc it reaped on my life before, I can’t. All I know is I felt like I was in control, that I could gamble like a normal person! I can’t! I’m a compulsive gambler. Our minds are powerful, we can convince ourselves of almost anything. The addict in me wants control. I can’t gamble. Today I tell myself I no longer have to gamble. I talk to myself differently than in my past. Instead of saying “I can’t” I prefer to say “I’m done gambling, I no longer have to feed my addiction “, these self conversations have given me strength to carry on one day at a time. We can change if we want to. I know how simple this advice sounds, that’s because it is, nothing changes if nothing changes, as long as I don’t gamble I can open my heart to a better way of living and thinking. Lots of my advice I got from GA meetings long ago, we can’t unlearn what we already know. Simple steps for a complicated addiction. We can do this!

brokeandsad 05/25/2018

I was tempted yesterday due to having some contact with my family. Anything that upsets me makes me want to start back. Instead I thought of other things, went to bed early. Played with the cat. Anything to keep me from doing it. It worked and this morning I did not have the lingering effects of gambling on my heart. Keep trying. I know you can do it.

determined23 05/25/2018

Welcome to the group it is so very helpful.I always read the post on Fridays because that's the hardest day for me not to gamble.I gambled for thirty years I haven't gambled in 5 months it is the longest I've ever abstained.I feel stronger than ever on most days but some days are harder than others I was an emotional gambler I called it my very expensive therapy while I was doing it. When it really was self sabotage,
deceit,and I was so very selfish.I almost lost everything especially myself. I wish you the best you can do this you are not alone.

Qwit4Good 05/25/2018

The many efforts to quit I did in the past, were at best half-hearted. I did not want to quit gambling, it was the anesthetic for getting through all those feelings. I wanted to become a social gambling again.......I wanted to believe that was possible....I wanted the counselor to make me a social gambler again using the "magic wand" method that required little or no effort on my part.
Magical thinking is part of this addiction,
Not until I totally committed myself to quitting .... once I knew in my heart and accepted that

Qwit4Good 05/25/2018

Ooops hit the wrong key - sorry about that

ONE: That I could not get ahead by gambling.
and
TWO: Gambling was neither fun nor harmless for me.
That is when I put my heart and soul and every effort into staying away from gambling.

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