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 always loved betting sports. When sportsbooks started online I got out of control. I could win betting the sports but then go to the casino section and lose it all. Roulette was my game. Sometimes I think the sportsbooks would let you win and then flip a switch and take it all back including all your credit card. I wouldn t learn. It was a horrible roller coaster. My wife would support me not fully understanding the addiction. Anyway she passed away last Dec. and around March I started again. The tally this time was 26,000. I tapped into a retirement 401 and paid it off. Now it s been 2 days and I have blocked all the casinos and sportsbooks with comp software. The urge is still there but I am staying strong. My faith in God helps as well as reading your posts. Its tough today with the football games and having no action on them. Sundays are really rough. I am going to my families for thanksgiving. That keeps me away from the computer. The lonliness is tough and the boredom. I m also forced to deal with my emotions as well as myself. Im not use to that. Anyways thanks for this site and all the support. It really helps. God Bless.
My husband has also had a problem with on-line gambling. His favorite was Poker Stars. We have now installed Gamblock to keep him from being able to lose money from home. Installing this type of program will help you. The urge will still be there but it gets better over time. The days since your last bet add up when you take it one day at a time. At first, sometimes it's an hour or even a few minutes at a time. But, it does add up. The further you get from your last bet, the stronger you will become.
I am also a compulsive gambler and am now working on my addiction. My weakness is slot machines. I am 1 month today since my last bet. God, this site and Gamblers Anonymous meetings have been my saving grace.
I know what you mean by the loneliness and boredom making it tough. But, we must always remember that these feelings are only made worse by being broke to go along with it. Your faith in God will help you tons in arresting this addiction.
Take care and I hope you have a nice Thanksgiving with your family.