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...
I finally reached a point where I could not longer deny that I have an addiction to gambling. I cannot control it by myself, in fact my ways never worked. This addiction brought to my knees so to speak, where I just couldn't take it anymore. My last bet was on the 4th and I was devastated on how I could do this to myself. When I got home, I had a message on my cell phone from a GA member asking how I was doing. Too me that was Devine intervention. I called her up and told her the truth. The next night I went to a meeting and am staying connected. I need to do the work and I will. I will do what ever it takes to keep me from placing a bet. I am putting my attention in the present and learning how to LET GO. I read a great book today written by David Hawkins "Letting Go: the pathway to surrender" and I am APPLYING it. I had always heard the phrases, Let go and let God, You need to surrender, stuff like that but no one could tell me HOW, until I read this book. Coming to this site is also very helpful, but talking and listening to people in the flesh in front of me is more effective for me. I guess you need to do what works for you. At GA, my attention on the days don't matter as much as how much I recovery I get from this deadly addiction. It is to me that nastiest addiction I've ever had to overcome, but I'm doing it now that I've got pride out of the way. Thanks for listening/reading this.
Face to face meetings are most effective for me as well. But I do gain a lot by participating here on DS and by finding educational materials here and support in smaller doses. I have gone to GA and occasionally attend the phone meeting mentioned here on DS, and while I use GA principles and 12 step guidance in my life I do not attend regularly and do not have a sponsor. I do go to a weekly face to face group of women in aftercare - we have all completed therapy with a counselor trained in gambling addiction and is a recovering compulsive gambler with 15 years of abstinence herself. This group of women works hard at being kind and supportive and while I did not want to attend meetings in my early recovery, I made myself go. Now, I do not want to live without seeing this group on a regular basis, they help keep me honest, authentic and on an even keel.
I am so glad that you have given up denial and are working toward a better life. You have the right attitude of "staying connected" and "doing the work". Welcome to recovery!