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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Hopeful82 08/09/2010

So I posted that I had made it 33 days and went back because I thought I could gamble responsibly. I learned that was a total delusion. Now that I am back to staying away I feel like the urges to gamble are stronger than ever!! During the first 33 days I didn't really feel like I wanted to gamble, I felt too proud of myself for staying away. It seems like since then I continue to have all the same thoughts that always lead me to gamble..."I can win back the money I lost when I went back, maybe this time I will win, etc." It's just interesting how I really didn't feel the urge to gamble for about a month and as soon as I went back all of my old feelings are back stronger than ever! Yikes! I used many distraction techniques this weekend, like cleaning the baseboards of my entire house. Hopefully things will get better! Has anyone else ever experienced this, stronger urges after staying away and then going back?

Thanks for your constant support and encouragement!

Hopeful

deleted_user 08/10/2010

Yes, it is true. I have had those same feelings and have returned with the same results. Different things work for different people, and we have to find what will work for you. I can tell you that if you take all of that energy that you are using thinking about your addiction and put into YOU, then you have really WON. Winning is not always about money. It is about so much more and better things. You have to decide how important YOU are and fight the GOOD fight. It takes undeniable compassion, determination and desire to QUIT, but you can do it. It will be 18 months for me soon, and when I think about what that did to me, my life, my family, it makes me sick to my stomach and makes me hate the very idea of someone even doing it for what is called "fun". Life is too short, and there are too many other things that we can do. Maybe you could try doing kind acts for others and see how that makes you feel. To me, that would so much more rewarding that sitting and watching a machine suck the very core of who I am out of me. Not one more second of my life for me. Therefore, I WIN! :-) xoxoxoxo chin up and keep on keepin on!

deleted_user 08/11/2010

My OH who is a compulsive gambler (in a 28 day program now, after hitting rock bottom, had an affair with a gambling gal at work and also gambled 10K in inheritence) actually started coming to yoga classes with me for a while - he hadn't gambled in a while back then. He said he found it really calmed him, but also made him feel strong and good within. Not sure if that's your cup of tea, but it's not a bad hobby to take up and good for your wellbeing, and mind. Not to simplify your situation but just an idea for distraction and healthy to consider?

I wish you all the best with your journey. I know it's incredibly hard and i am hopeful my OH can continue his gambling free journey after rehab. Sending hugs your way xo

deleted_user 08/11/2010

Will power to stay away from gambling has only worked for short a time repreeve. However; because I never got better emotionally I went back out gambling. Not until I got to G A and learned some tools have I truly felt the freedom not to gamble, as well as, a much better view of life. Try G A - you will not regret it.

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