My first day of quitting gambling, I think it will be a challenge cause I live across the street from a casino. And last night I realized when I go in the casino I don't know when to quit. I only go in there once a week. But when I do it's more money than I can afford. I hope this site helps me.

This site is a good tool to use on your path to recovery. Right across the street from a casino. That's a constant reminder of what you want to stop doing, right? I live in Las Vegas, it's everywhere! Day after day tourists come and go, shows, dinner and lots of gambling. It sure sounds fun, huh? I can't speak for the tourists, I hope they're enjoying their vacation, but for us locals, we're suppose to know better. And I use to know better. Not anymore. I'm not sure when compulsive gambling gripped me by my heart and brain, does that really matter, I still ask myself. If it's not good for me, it's not good for me. I know this. I know the pain of wondering why I can't gamble like what a perceive to be a normal person. Do I ever wonder why I'm allergic to penicillin? I am. It could kill me. Do I question that? No. Never. Dr's always make it a point to ask what drugs we're allergic to, right? For our own good. But when we walk into a gambling establishment no stops us and asks us if we are a complusive gambler. No one asks us if we need the money we have access to for food and bills. Or how about when we go to a store and purchase alcohol, the cashier might ask to see our I.d.'s, but not if we're an alcoholic. Right? The casinos want our money. Of course. That's what they're in business for. No boundaries, no limits. It's legal. You can even self-ban, but they'll still let you lose. I've read that. They'll let you play, they just won't pay out any of your jackpots. It's a win/win for them. It's also a disease of the mind for some of us. They don't care, that's why they let us go through the self-banning steps! They want our money. They want everyone's money. But we're allergic to gambling! We are not just sore losers. The casino doesn't care. That's why we need to care about ourselves. Gambling hurts me mentally. It interferes will a healthy way of life for us.

Phew... on my soap box! When I write we or our I'm speaking for myself. It helps me to put my addiction in perspective. I'll feel better if i don't gamble. I'm telling myself right now, it's money, it can be spent on other things. So what? So today I will not gamble, I want my non gambling days to add up again - yes, again - knowing I can only feel better by doing this. One day at a time.

I think it's great that you're posting your thoughts. It not only helps you but helps me, as well. I think you just talked me down from an urge. I often feel like a fool for doing what I do. I'm reasonably intelligent - I should know better, etc., etc., etc. When you said the locals are supposed to know better it brought to light just how much of a fool I am, and that's a good thing. I know it in my old brain - it's the newer addictive one that tries to trip me up. I have to keep my guard up, constantly, or I can trick myself into believing that life will be okay if I continue along this dark path I've been on for way too long. Thanks for your words. All the best to you.