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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Self-Excluded

Hopeful82
Hopeful82
I did it, I self excluded myself from the casino that is just minutes from my home. It honestly took a lot of courage to take the steps of walking to the security podium and telling them I wanted it to be illegal for me to come back. I had to, there was no other way. I continually chase loses and gamble because I feel guilty for gambling, if that makes any sense at all. I was going to do this a few weeks ago but didn't have the courage. I wish I could report that I walked in and went straight to the podium, I had thoughts that "just one last time and I might win," $1500 later I went to the podium, the original reason I came in. I signed the paperwork and left the casino for the final time!
Today I am working on the process of forgiving myself for all that gambling has taken away from me, not just money but time, relationships, honesty. I know that this will be a process.
Today is my day one. I am done gambling, I have lost too much and I need to move forward. There are no other casinos in my area and so I have taken away my primary tempation. I don't gamble online, not my thing.
I thought I would feel like a burden had been lifted, currently I am still reeling from the losses of last night but I am thankful I found the courage to self-exclude, that was the first step for me.

Hopeful
kateesawyer
kateesawyer
wow ! i am so proud of you ! you should be proud of yourself too ! 1 step forward is all it takes ! like you said if you had just signed the papers when you walked in you would have been $1500 richer but if you don't stop now, you would be several thousands poorer in a few weeks ! so you did the best thing ! NOW starts from now, for today you would not gamble, you have put a step in the right direction ! casinos and online gambling too almost 2 years of my life, i tried several times to quit, but always went back to try to get my looses back, finally i said ENOUGH ! I have been gamble free for 17 days now.... you too can do it ! its a very long and sometimes hard journey but remind yourself its something you have to do to safe yourself from suicide, depression, strained relationships and the emptiness that comes with gambling. always remember you cannot gamble cos you cant win cos you cant stop... you can add me so u can read my journal and my journey so far...... i will not gamble today !
deleted_user
deleted_user
Yes it is process. And your worth it! I heard this"that which brings me to my knee's brings me closer to God".it's one day at a time,sometimes one moment at a time. Keep working an d KEEP COMOING BACK!!
jlou47
jlou47
Good for you. Don t think about the past or worry about the future. All that matters is now. Now you are gamble free. Sounds good doesn t it. Keep it up and stay strong. God Bless.
deleted_user
deleted_user
That is fanstastic and brave. It took so much to walk up and tell them that you were taking back control of your life and not letting the casino own you anymore!!! I did that 76 days ago and it was the best thing I have done in this long battle with gambling. Keeep taking one step after another and soon you will be walking across the floor. HUGGS
pennyluv
pennyluv
Doesn't matter how you did it. YOU DID IT and that's what matters. Good for you!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Good for you! I am a new member as well. I have now been gamble free for 13 days and am feeling pretty good about things. It only takes a little boredom and I am off to the casino as I live only a couple of miles away. How did you go about the process of banning yourself. There are so many entrances and exits how do they keep track of it all. I to would like to go to the security office and remove myself. It is good to hear there are people in the same situation as myself. One day at a time I do beleive that one. Had urges today but jumped on the website. thank you all for helping me through today.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Congratualtions..And no it is not easy at all especially those first steps. You have to remember that one of the hardest things is the void that will now be left from not gambling. You will need to come up with something positive to fill this void. No there is no magic cure for the gambling addict and the urges don't go away over night that is for sure. GA was probably the only thing that got me through my initial stages of quitting gambling. Hopefully you will be able to find a GA meeting.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi Hopeful82, I struggled with gambling for decades and like you self-excluded from many a casino and betting shop in the UK and whilst that made it harder for me to gamble I would always end up gambling. I found that self-exclusion and avoidance only ever provided me with a temporary respite. I wasn't treating the illness. That was until 21st October 2008 when I finally come to listen as only the dying can. I was faced with a simple choice; too gamble and die or to work the program of recovery and learn to live life on life's terms. I choose the later and today I live a life free of gambling. I am a recovered compulsive gambler. The mental obsession has been lifted. During your respite I encourage you to grasp the 12 steps of recovery with both hands and you too can have a life beyond your wildest dreams.

Take care and I wish you a life full of peace, love and serenity.

Michael
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hopeful82,

You did the right thing, and now I have the courage to do the same. I am so tired of this. I was on my way to recovery and then I went last night, not sure why but it was like I was on auto pilot. I cashed a check for $700, cashed out a ticket over $1,500 and then put it all back in! We work so hard to stop, prayers, support, GA and then it's the urge that over powers us. I don't want to give into the urge any longer. I am going back to the Casino one last time to self exclude. I will continue with this support site, GA and church. We can overcome this together.

Thanks for your post, and I am so proud of you!
deleted_user
deleted_user
What an awsome step of courage! You are right, you need to forgive yourself and move forward. This is a great step and I am so proud of you.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Congratuations.

I did the sam 4 years ago, I still go regularly, they don't give a shit. As long as you don't hit a jackpot you are fine.

Self ban is a joke
deleted_user
deleted_user
Congratulations! I think you will find that self-excluding makes all the difference in the world. Takes the decision out of your hands, since now you legally can't go, at least to the convenient casino. I self-excluded over 20 months ago and figure it saved me from not only financial disaster, but a damaged self-esteem from feeling so powerless over the urges.
deleted_user
deleted_user
And a comment to Ramblin2 - so you self-banned but still go. What's the point if you can't keep any jackpot you win? Not a very fun scenario, to imagine the bells going off on a big payout and you have to run away before they arrest you, or at a minimum, escort you out of the casino without your winnings.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Congratulations, I am still learning to forgive myself, when I do this I will no longer be held prisoner of all the things I did, I did not know what I was doing to everyone else as well as myself...... Someone recently reminded me of something that we have heard for years and years........... Forgive them Father for they know not what they do!!! And we did not know what we were doing at the time....... Now I know I am not responsible for my addiction, but I am responsible for my recovery!!! Once again Congrats!! (HUGS)
SunnieBoo
SunnieBoo
I self excluded 87 days ago and it was life saving. Congrats for you in taking that huge step! I guess when we finally get sick and tired we really mean business. You go girl!!!