Yes, I know exactly how you feel. I get that way when I play online poker. I get into a zone, a trance like place in my own world. Life just goes right by you and your like where did the day go. About self banning from a casino that is a wise decision to make. I have done this too. We need to protect ourself and our family so we need to take the right steps. They have banning programs at the casino. Fill out the paperwork at the casino. They offer a 6 months ban a 1 year ban and a life long ban. Self banning is the best thing to do. It will take a huge weight off of you. Then your recovery will begin. I would self ban ASAP. Best to you and may the Lord guide you and strengthen you.

you have to break the routine, don't go, force yourself to go somewhere else, banning will help somewhat...

its good for you to do it for your own peace, but they will still let you in and take your money, if you win, they keep it

you need to look at life differently, remember how you were BEFORE this all happened,and slowly move back there - casino are a hell hole, suck the life out of you, reclaim your world....they dont own you...do something about it.

Hello, you have to believe in yourself, I just decided that day I stopped to walk out that door and don't look back. Your stronger then you think. I tell myself that's not the world I wanna live in anymore and keep praying for the strength to not go. It's actually just mind over matter. Make that choice and know your worth everything to the people around you and walk away from it and don't look back. It's not simple in fact it's hard! But you can do it and you will just like the rest of us. You are not alone, none of us are. Call in on Wednesday nights and listen it helps a lot. Bless you!

Your post makes total sense to me. I'm a compulsive gambler. We all have different reasons why we continue to gamble despite the fact we don't want to be there anymore. I know I isolate. If you were to see me at a machine you would see an unhappy person. Just leave me alone! I hate that feeling. And after all the reasons we're left with the same question, "why am I still doing this?" It's a horrible addiction! I know. I keep thinking about "the desire to quit", it has to be stronger than the desire to go back out there. I know I'll never win at a machine because I'm not there to have a good time. I'm there hiding, angry at myself and the world. Today I will not hurt myself again. I have 7 days without placing bet. Today I will remind myself to be honest with myself. I'll tell myself I don't have to hurt myself today. I'm going to change the way I think about myself. Today I will not gamble.

For me it is a simple choice for a complicated person. I have nothing to gain from gambling and everything to lose. Very scary. I draw on different things to keep me away from this addiction. Some days you have to really be inventive and use whatever works to lower your anxiety and stay away. My Number one focus has to be to not gamble. After that everything else will fall into place. Good days, bad days,makes no difference. My only chance at a normal life is not to gamble. God Bless

I self-banned in June 2015. It saved my life, honestly. I self-banned in my state, plus a state with a casino an hour away, and a third state with a casino about 2-3 hours away.

It might not work for everyone, but I own my own business and have investors, and having a flawed criminal record, even for a misdemeanor, could have dire consequences for me. I'm also the type of Type A person who wouldn't want to break the law anyway.

That said, I've messed up twice since June 2015. Once was on a road trip last November, and once was on another work trip in February (three weeks ago). Both times were in other states in which I am not banned. I highly advise banning.

OHG, does it sound familiar? YES. Everything you wrote, was me. The trance, is the scariest, isn't it? You are in the right place, I think most of us, if not all of us, can relate. You can walk into the casino, go straight to security and tell them you want to do a self ban, they will help you from there. I would suggest, you don't go alone. Also, you should know, that casinos and "card rooms" are different, you will need to go into a "card room" if you play poker, and do the self ban separately than the casinos. I would highly recommend you pick lifetime ban when you fill out the form. Its very easy to do, and it saved my life, highly recommend it. Then, your recovery will begin....

Hi Sophie,

Self banning is very simple to do. Don't be scared. I thought about self banning from the casino that I used to go to alot (its 10 minutes from my house) but I didn't for years because I was afraid. My fears we totally unnecessary...when I finally got the courage up to do it, it only took 10 minutes..you fill out a 1 page form, they take your picture & then walk you to the door in a polite & professional manner. Ask any security guard & they will effortlessly guide you to a private office. The only question he asked me was how long I want to ban for...I chose the longest.

The car ride home from the casino after I self banned at like 3:00am was the ONLY car ride after a big gambling binge (huge loss) EVER that I felt relief cuz I self banned. I'll never go back because I don't want a criminal record. I don't want to ever go back because I want to love myself.

So dont be scared to self ban. It has really helped me, maybe it will help you too. Love yourself by not gambling today. Choose life. Choose recovery.

((BIG HUG))

Very familiar. The trance thing is called a "brown out", it is similar to an alcoholic's black out. Second only to being suicidal too many times the brown out was the scariest indeed. I would go days with little or no sleep, not knowing how many times I went to the ATM or the cashier until coming out of the fog long enough to check my bank balance and see how many loans I took. It is a side effect of way too much dopamine - the underlying internal hormone that gambling floods our brain with. Self ban is a tool that helps many. Also there are several pieces of software available that will block gambling sites.
Doing something different is part of what it takes, because nothing changes if nothing changes. Hugs

I appreciate all the comments, thoughts, and encouragement. As awful as it is to say I'm glad I'm not alone and others understand....I'm glad I'm not alone. What is the Wednesday phone #? I can't find the info on it. BTW... I was very tempted today to go to the casino and I kept on driving. That's a win! Im proud of myself but in reality I didn't have much time to go so... maybe that's what kept me away. Either way I will take the small victory and appreciate very much the comments and support from those who shared and hopefully will continue to. ❤

Itsjustme posts this every Wednesday:

Wednesdays, eastern time 9pm......712 770 4160access code....611704#please join us, we need you - you can talk or just listen.....God Bless

It worked for me