To admit you have a gambling addiction is a first step. For a long time I never admitted it to myself or said it out loud. Joining this support group and attending meetings are other steps towards recovery. Just know that you have a group of individuals who have been there and done that. You are not alone. We support and encourage each other daily. You have made a great decision to seek help on your road to recovery.

Thank you

this addiction SUCKS big time, it takes away your time/money/sanity

the first day - week, its white knuckling to stay out, no access to money usually is the first step, after getting thru the detox.....the brain will stabilize THEN the work begins, you need to fill life w/LIFE, isolation is the ENEMY, get busy, stay busy, force the brain to re-wire - being w/others that have the same problem as you helps to focus and have an outside view of the INSIDE insanity, get to a meeting or call in on wednesday, i will post details..

The first step as kssnewlife said, is admitting you have a problem. Cutting off your access to money is usually essential to get stopped. You can call the National Council on Problem Gambling at: 1-800-522-4700, they answer 24/7 and can tell you where your nearest GA group and if treatment is subsidized in your state. A good-bye letter to gambling is helpful to write. Journaling can help get through urges as can artwork of any kind, even coloring. Try to treat yourself as you would a friend who has just emerged from something traumatic. (You have.) Be kind to yourself, get a bubble bath, eat healthy, try to get rested, you are facing a big internal battle but it is doable.
I gambled for decades to the point of self-loathing and losing everything. I am celebrating 2 years and 6 months since my last bet as of tomorrow. Life is much better without gambling.

Hi Krista, I recently joined this forum and I too am in the same situation as you. I'm a waitress so I make cash every day and I prob gamble about 2 times a week. Every time I lose I say I'm never gonna go back and every time I win I say I'm never going back. I sound like a broken record. I do the same thing with the money that you do "till there are no hundreds left" . I've also won only one serious jackpot $10,000 and off and on like $400-$1000 but I always put it back and MORE! I lie about going home after work to my boyfriend, and I've borrowed lots of money from people that care about me. It's even ruined relationships and friendships. I always blame other people for not being there for me and nobody wants to help me out anymore with money. I can't say I blame them. Writing these posts have actually been helping me to "SEE" all the things my addiction has made me do. Good Luck to you!

Hi Krista, you perfectly explained the insanity of a complusive gambler in your post; I would know, because I am a complusive gambler, too. I'm addicted to gambling, when I start I won't quit until I must, you know the story, when I'm broke. I've gambled for yrs, quitting and then starting again, over and over. I'm on day #74 now. In the past I never wanted to count my gamble free days, for some reason I didn't think it mattered, I do now, it matters today. One day at a time, friend, start counting, reading & writing.

The only thing that stinks about banning yourself from casino is they don't stop me from going in PA establishments. I don't know what state you're in, but I really thought banning myself would help and it hasn't. I still go in and play the machines. We have to gain some power!

Go ahead and ban. It workedfor me and others and I pray it works for you.