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 have been gf for 39 days now. I realized these last couple of days that when it comes to something stressful happening, I am at a loss for how to deal with it. I used to go right to the casino and hide behinnd (in front of) a slot machine and not have to feel any thing real.
My sister in law and I used to be best friends, but had a falling out due to my gambling. I just assumed that my not gambling would equal her liking me again. How crazy is that. Everytime i go to a family get together, she treats me like I'm invisble. That really upsets me even though it shouldnt.
Then a couple of days ago, my brother who ive always been close to made my husband mad, putting me in the middle. I went to the wednesday nite dinner at church last night and ended up crying and walking outside.
How did I handle stressful situations before my addiction allowed me to hide it? Im trying hard to remember!
Hugs,
Lisa
My sister in law and I used to be best friends, but had a falling out due to my gambling. I just assumed that my not gambling would equal her liking me again. How crazy is that. Everytime i go to a family get together, she treats me like I'm invisble. That really upsets me even though it shouldnt.
Then a couple of days ago, my brother who ive always been close to made my husband mad, putting me in the middle. I went to the wednesday nite dinner at church last night and ended up crying and walking outside.
How did I handle stressful situations before my addiction allowed me to hide it? Im trying hard to remember!
Hugs,
Lisa
Anyways, the first thing I did was just start feeling my feelings and acknowledging them... i see you stress. I see you sadness. I see you anger. And that was weird to me. Crying was a part of that.
My therapist gave me an idea of how to deal with difficult feelings. She said to treat them like a bunch of helium balloons floating on the ceiling. Imagine that each one has a label.... like mad at brother, scared about finances, dad never loved me..... etc.
When I'm in a good place pull one down by its string and think on it a while. Then let it float back to the top. Take another one down if I want, look at it and then let it go.
It gives me a feeling of having some control and keeps me from getting overwhelmed with these feelings. The balloons are still there but I choose when to spend time on them... and when to let them go.
xoxo,
lisa
Roxxxy26
In regards to your sister in law, it almost sounds like your gambling hurt her or made her lose her trust in you in some way.Would it be possible to seek her out? Sit her down and just say "I know that I've done some things in the past that have hurt or angered you, and I've hurt myself as well. I'm doing my very best to change my life and I miss you". Let her take it from there. She might not know that you are serious this time about changing your habits.
Cookie
Ll2llive...that is a very good idea that I will try to distress with.
two4one and roxxy...hugs to you!
Love
Lisa