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...
Hi all, I've been listening along the way and appreciate all your insights. I thought I'd share some of the things that I've helped me in the past four months.
1. One positive of gambling problem recovery is that while actively gambling I learned to be frugal with everything to help fund my "habit". Almost any activity is cheaper than gambling so now I am able to do some really cool activities and they are a bargain compared to gambling costs.
2. Self banning worked great for me. After banning myself from several local casino's I realized that previously it was always pulling in the back of my mind to visit the casinos. I never recognized this subtle pull til I banned myself. It feels very freeing.
3. I play the free slots online (never pay for extra coins) as I like the games and bonuses so this is a nice distraction when I need one and realizing how fast you can lose $$$ thousands$$$ has helped me stay away from gambling my money.
4. The biggest casino just opened 5 minutes away and they won't allow self banning. I go to the casino almost everyday to enjoy the perks- extra oxygen, watch sporting events, free drinks and free play. However I never put my own money in the machines! I use up the free play and when it's gone I cash out what ever winnings I have. I then use that money to buy myself treats afterwards. If my $10 free play nets me -$2 might be a nice chocolate bar, $20 maybe lunch with a friend. This helps me with the value of the money I used to pour into the slots and tables and also with time management as it only takes 10-15 minutes to use up the free funds. (I go by this casino anyway so it's not an extra trip) For me my trigger is losing money and then chasing it. That's why I never use my own money and so any win is enjoyed.
5. With the above in place I find I have no desire to gamble beyond the free play offers.
6. My focus is now saving money and investing and I find have a strong interest in activities that are opposite in nature to gambling to be highly effective in losing interest in gambling.
I don't know if this will be helpful to any of you but using the ideas above I've been able to save over $13,000 in the last 4 months and have lost the urge to gamble.
1. One positive of gambling problem recovery is that while actively gambling I learned to be frugal with everything to help fund my "habit". Almost any activity is cheaper than gambling so now I am able to do some really cool activities and they are a bargain compared to gambling costs.
2. Self banning worked great for me. After banning myself from several local casino's I realized that previously it was always pulling in the back of my mind to visit the casinos. I never recognized this subtle pull til I banned myself. It feels very freeing.
3. I play the free slots online (never pay for extra coins) as I like the games and bonuses so this is a nice distraction when I need one and realizing how fast you can lose $$$ thousands$$$ has helped me stay away from gambling my money.
4. The biggest casino just opened 5 minutes away and they won't allow self banning. I go to the casino almost everyday to enjoy the perks- extra oxygen, watch sporting events, free drinks and free play. However I never put my own money in the machines! I use up the free play and when it's gone I cash out what ever winnings I have. I then use that money to buy myself treats afterwards. If my $10 free play nets me -$2 might be a nice chocolate bar, $20 maybe lunch with a friend. This helps me with the value of the money I used to pour into the slots and tables and also with time management as it only takes 10-15 minutes to use up the free funds. (I go by this casino anyway so it's not an extra trip) For me my trigger is losing money and then chasing it. That's why I never use my own money and so any win is enjoyed.
5. With the above in place I find I have no desire to gamble beyond the free play offers.
6. My focus is now saving money and investing and I find have a strong interest in activities that are opposite in nature to gambling to be highly effective in losing interest in gambling.
I don't know if this will be helpful to any of you but using the ideas above I've been able to save over $13,000 in the last 4 months and have lost the urge to gamble.
I agree with #1 #2 #3, but #4 is a big no-no for me. As soon as I walk in inside the casino, I lose my mind. Even if I stay strong for a one or two visits, but then it just goes down hill, fast and crazy and I end up destroyed again, each time worse then before.
Good luck in your new findings and savings!
Vicky, compulsive gambler.
so, each to their own. wish I was strong enough to just go in and get something to eat, or play ONLY with free play.
I hope everyone has a great, gamble free day today.