What I do is not go and feel great about it the next morning. You have to decide what you want and how bad you want it. I have urges or thoughts also but try to remember the good times and bad times, and believe me when I say the bad times are still very vivid. The good times are mostly blurred and obscure. I have money in the bank, do not have to worry about chasing yesterday's loss, and can not worry about the next day's plays. Boring,maybe at times, but I will embrace that compared with the misery and depression that accompanies gambling any day.

It's been one week for me and I know that I have to take one day at a time. At some point I know those urges will get less intense. I think going to meetings, communicating with others who are fighting the same war is a great start. My addiction did not start over night so it takes time to start the healing process.

For me, I did everything and anything to NOT gamble. I created a routine that includes an affirmation in the morning, a little exercise, (at least some stretches), eat something healthy, think about how to plan my day. Painting, drawing, coloring, gardening, anything creative not only helps to stave off an urge but works to relieve anxiety and physically grows new neural pathways in our brains. In the first few weeks of therapy my counselor had me write out a "goodbye" to gambling letter, which I also use a tool, when I have an urge or even a thought to gamble I like to take it out and reread it. Also within the first week or two the counselor had me write out a list of at least twenty things that cost little or nothing, that I can do for at least twenty minutes, (average time it takes an urge to pass), so that I had the brainstorming part done when the urge actually hits. You will need to make your own list but here are some I had: draw, paint, color, make a handmade card for a friend, call a friend, take a walk, write a letter to a friend, go for a hike, go to a movie, go to coffee with a friend, do the dishes, clean the bathroom, give myself a manicure, take a bubble bath, go for a ride to the country, ride the city bus just to look at the scenery, go to the library, go to an art gallery, visit the museum, journal, pray. Additionally, since I had lost my job behind gambling, I also did a small volunteer job 2x per week just to 1)feel useful and 2)have something to fill some of the time. Lastly, I began using mindfulness to monitor my own thoughts closely and carefully. The cycle of addictive gambling behavior goes something like this: Thought to gamble ---->Urge to gamble---->Plan to gamble----->In Action Gambling. For most of us it is easier to intervene in the cycle earlier, if I wait until I am already planning on where, when and how it is too late, I am already there, in action, in my mind. I am most successful by intervening at the first thought to gamble, but if it becomes a full blown urge, it is still possible but harder. Sometimes, just being aware that you are in the throes of an urge can help us wait it out - it's only twenty minutes - but it helps if you have a plan.
Additionally my counselor also had us write out a relapse prevention plan, writing out each and every trigger that makes me want to gamble and writing out a plan to do something specific instead, that is not gambling. i.e.: When I get a text from my ex I feel like gambling: next time he/she texts me I am going write in my journal about my feelings (and maybe think about blocking that number).
I hope this helps, on Monday I will be celebrating 2 years and 6 months since my last bet.

Thank you for all the advice. Your right about it being too late once you have already planned when and where. Unfortunately I didn't fight the urge this weekend and went on a gambling binge losing around $1700. That's a big chunk of change when I was close to a month without a bet and I was getting caught up on everything financially. Back to the drawing boards. Why is it that I have this extreme disgust towards gambling now (after an all nighter at the casino) and then it wears off like nothing bad ever happened. Like how do I conveniently forget about these horrible gambling binges. I'm baffled by just how crazy what I do is. I wish I could go back to my old self before I even gambled...that's just not reality. Reality is if I really want my life back I'll do everything it takes to get it. Anyways I really enjoyed reading through all of these replies and I will definitely be putting some of these suggestions to use.

I just wanted to add that having some roadblocks in place before urges help so much. Self ban if you can , and another oldie but goodie, leave cash, debit credit cards at home etc. Injave heard of some people disallowing ATM usuagebon cards etc. I take my check book or gift card for the store gas etc. it is a relief when the thought of gambling comes and I realize can't no money!! Urge done!

I only have 3 days since I last was at the Casino. Since my husband passed away 6 months ago, I have gone to the Casino quite a few times - I have gone through a lot of money so far and I am at the point that I know I have to quit before I lose everything I have!! This is quitting again for me. I originally quite back in 2008. I started gambling some 32 years ago - was able to quit for about 8 years (give or take a few relapses here and there) - I was taking care of my husband during that time - he had dementia, diabetes, etc., I was his full-time caregiver (except when I could get a break), but I basically didn't have time to go, although as most gamblers know, the urge never leaves! I am now taking steps to join a "Grief" Support Group as well as returning to GA. Also going to try and take some college courses. I have to something with myself. We were married for 54 years and I feel like I have lost my purpose for living and/or getting out of bed. Gambling has just been my escape - don't have to think about anything - until the run is over and then hate myself for losing money. Have enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts and ideas. Thank you for letting me share my thoughts. I know it is only up to me to end this destructive behavior. No easy out here!

When I've had an urge to gamble I remind myself that I no longer gamble. I know that sounds simple, because it is. To gamble, or not to gamble is no longer a question in my mind, I don't want to because I've quit. I go on to tell myself that it's okay to be that person who has said good bye to gambling. My desire to stop the madness is greater and stronger than my urge to gamble. As long as I don't place that next bet I can stay on course, and that is where I want to be. Life can knock us down and beat us up good, but in the case of gambling it can only hurt me if I allow it to again. That is my choice. So today I choose not to gamble, why? Because I no longer gamble. Period.

I have grow stronger thelonger I am outof it. you will too. Ifcommercials come on tv on radio,I change chnnel,they can be triggers.

I can really relate to what you are saying i.e. thinking about it all the time, trying to find ways to distract myself. One thing that has helped is that as soon as the thought comes into my head I immediately become conscious of it and push it out.

If we have that list of triggers, (we made in our relapse prevention plan), we can ask ourselves if we are Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired? (HALT: Age old 12-step triggers) I have a bunch more triggers that include: bored, feeling good, feeling bad, self pity, feeling like celebrating, call from ex, memory of loss of a loved one that passed, or otherwise exited my life -but I have a plan for each of these now, that is not gambling. Just having written it down helps. I had many day ones, but if I added to my plan or changed the plan to address each slip, it was longer that I could maintain abstinence. I try not go where there is gambling and if perchance I see a video slot machine I try to imagine one of my former abusers' face on the screen.