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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SO Lost Here

deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi, I am really lost. I have a hard time with addictions. I quit smoking 33 days ago which I never ever thought would be possible and it seems it is getting harder each day not better. I gamble. I lost 4,200 last week and 2,900 last night. SICK!! I can't stop and I know I need to. I could have done so much with that money, it wasn't loan or credit card money it was all money out of my bank account which is now squat!! I work very hard and it seems I am working for my gambling habit. it is worse since I quit smoking. I have my husband and two children who are 6 and 14. My husband has an idea that I gamble too much but no clue to how much money I actually gambled. He probaly thinks a couple hundred dollars. I know I have a problem I just don't know where to start. My urge to gamble is also accompanied by an urge to get away and have some fun time for me. I am very unorganized and become a huge procrastinator since I quit smoking. I can't even make the money like I used to since I quit smoking, I am so withdrawn. This is a huge problem too. My mind is so out of whack, What should I do??? I just want to feel normal again and addiction free, but I can't lose my income at the same time. HELP
deleted_user
deleted_user
The first step is to admit that you have a problem, which is good. For me, its a daily struggle. But I've been GF for over 2 months. Go to GA meetings, and take it one day at time. The support and friends I've made at DS has helped alot and they will help you to, if you let them. Good luck, and God Bless, and hang in there. Remember one day at a time.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Sick - yes I can relate to this feeling - . When a person is physically sick what happens? They seek treatment. They go to the Dr and get help. Compulsive gambling is a sickness - you will need to ask yourself if you fit into the CG mould. By what you are describing by your experience last night it certainly seems like you might be. So now you know you are sick what is the answer? Got worse or better? he choice is yours. I know for myself gambling wasn't the answer - stopping was. A bet NOT placed is a win. It's the only way I will stay a winner by not placing that first bet.
How? This is up to you. There is help out there is you want it. Gambling treatment programs, GA, support groups, online help but no one can do the work for you. This is a hard road but once started worth all the blood sweet and tears. I do hope you can find some answers. I wish you strength and peace
deleted_user
deleted_user
I believe gambling addiction is both a physical and mental problem. Just like Auzgurl says in her post, gambling isn't the answer, stopping is. Do anything to help you stop. Then your mind and body will have a chance to begin the healing process.
The comfort is that once you put some distance between you and your gambling activity, it becomes better each day. Little by little you will start to feel better. Don't imagine that it will stay this bad forever. Have hope! Things do get better with time.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Well after a ton of reading today , which has been the first time I finally dug deep into this addiction. I even told a friend who I have been friends with since I was a small child about my addiction. That felt good and opening to tell about it . I am going to ask my husband tonight to drive me to the two casinos that are in my radius and I am going to have a bann placed on my going there. We have to go down by one of them tomorrow so we will stop and get that one done first. The second one I will try to get to this weekend. (They happen to be in the opposite direction). It was a great day to be home and just soak this all in. I feel so warn out although I didn't do much today but the realization of it all.
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