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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prayingforpeace 07/15/2012

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to say thank you so much for all of your support. Today marks 6 WEEKS of NO CASINO!!!! :) I will admit....last few nights have been VERY difficult...I was an "escape" gambler and snuck away late at night after my family was sleeping. Lonliness overcame me the last couple of nights and my thoughts went to my typical..."Hey, what's $100? Maybe I can win big, and if I do lose the $100, that won't be so bad." You know I never would just end up spending the $100. More like a few more trips to the ATM (often times overdrawing my acct and then panicking how I was going to replace the $$ and explain to my husband why I did it again.)
Well, I fought the urge!!! I said no and began some cleaning projects and watched a good movie. I feel good again this morning. Thank you all again!!! I couldn't have said no without all of you and your supportive posts. Have a great day!

tagg20 07/15/2012

Praying for...

Way To Go! Isn't it a fantastic feeling to push through those urges, accomplished something productive, and then have some "me" time with a good movie (or us time, if your family's still awake)? THAT is a beautiful thing! Plus, that money is still in the bank, and you've made a deposit in your self-esteem account!

Great job - keep coming back here, as we all enjoy celebrating good things. Keep us posted!

Congratulations again-Tagg

deleted_user 07/15/2012

well good for you girl and congrats on the 6 weeks and the stay at home. did ya have popcorn with that movie? hell ive been out of microwave popcorn for at least a good month. ya reminded me to put it on that grocery list. hell cant tell ya how many times i wanted a bag of that theater extra butter stuff when watching a show. yeah walk to the cup board like the popcorn fairy just dropped off a bag or something. lol hell had to go check again just to make sure. lol lol lol keep them days a rolling and dont look back.

Sararose99 07/15/2012

AWESOME! You give me hope.
I strive for this sort of feeling. Made it one day only so far but today would make two. I think I can do it. Will keep reading the posts. Positive ones like yours really help.
Thank you!

deleted_user 07/15/2012

Thats awesome. I need to start being more constructive with the little free time I have. I work alot and go to school on the weekend. Boredom is a huge trigger for me though. If I am just sitting around, my mind wanders and I can easily end up in something I never planned to be in to begin with. What is the quote? "An idle mind is the devil's workshop?" So true for me. Good job on fighting that temptation!

deleted_user 07/16/2012

I'm only 2 days gamble-free but I do know the feeling of being able to resist makes me feel better about myself. I think I would feel like dog crap if I do it again.

deleted_user 07/18/2012

well guess we all know we feel like dog crap going that route in life. its like what makes us wanna roll in it again, is what i dont fet. lol lol lol

deleted_user 07/22/2012

Good for you you can do it, we all can do it we just hve to try hard it is a vicious addiction andthe first weeks are the hrdest but it gets better, good for you keep up the good work!

deleted_user 07/23/2012

That is awesome!! You were strong enough to convince yourself to not go, and you knew what that outcome could have been. The feeling you brought up of having to figure out how to cover the overdrawn account, and how its puts us in a panic is brutal. Think of the overdraft fees - the returned checks some places only deposit once -its a nightmare - we have to remind ourselves of the worst because we have been in the worst. Thanks for sharing! Keep it up.
Best,
Niki

smokeygirl 07/23/2012

That is awesome! 6 weeks is wonderful and what a difference in your thinking. Keep up the good work!

deleted_user 07/25/2012

Thanks for your courage. You are an inspiration to us all. With this inspiration comes responsibility. Keep staying strong for yourself and every person here that looks at these posts and depend on you for the same inspiration you sought when you came here. Keep taking it one day at a time and feeding your spirit. Proud of you!

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