Hi, watch a movie, read, draw there are lots of things you can do you just have to be strong and know that if you go to the casino you will lose your money, waste your time sitting there and feel horrible when you leave.. Good luck.

Thanks for your advice, i have a exam to study for i better ignore the gambling thoughts and study.

The fact that you said, "I'm gonna keep you all abreast of the outcome" says that door is wide open and you just might go there, which is your choice. A person with a made up mind, says that there is not a snowball chance in h-e-double L that they are going there. Don't bother with the update. Mentally, more times than not, we are gambling long before we ever log-on or set foot in any Gaming Establishment. The statement about an update says you've alreadly gone there mentally. Cast that demon down. OUT! The quickest way to double your money is to fold it up and put it in your pocket. Read a book. Phone a friend. Come to DS which I applaud you for doing. Call 1-800-522-4700 which is the National Association of Problem Gambling which provides info on local GA meeting, counseling and other resources to help combat OUR disease. Speaking from experience, once my mind was made up, a barefoot JESUS couldn't talk me out of doing what I'd already decided to do. A sponsor could persuade me because a demon spirit had already gave me the GREEN LIGHT! You go girl! I didn't even bother trying to get somebody to talk me out of what I'd already made up my mind to do, but that's ME. Thank GOD today I don't live like that. Close the door which will only usher in feelings of hopelessness and despair. That's how I felt and then some when I was throwing my money and life away. As painful as it is, today I deal with what's dealing with me. The underlying issues of why we choose to gamble. For me, it was escape. From life. A supevisor who was giving me a hard time. Lack of balance in my life, and I could go on and on about areas in my life that I didn't have the courage to face, nevertheless CHANGE! I'm praying that you can do what took me years, tons of money and caution to the wind to finally get! Praying of you and yours. GOD Bless

Study for your exam, clean out all your kitchen cupboards, or drawers and closets and donate unwanted items or clothing, make a list of friends and family that you have not talked to or seen in awhile and either call them or go see them, find something different to bake or cook and go use your $ to buy the ingredients and make it, take a drive to another town and investigate the area or scout around, start your Christmas card/gift list, start a new excerise plan.
just a few suggestions to help hopefully. I know how hard it can be to stay away from the casino, and especially if you have a friend that is coaxing you along.
And as has been mentioned... think about what going to the casino will do for you... lost money and time.

If you go gambling you will feel awful- even if you win. You will feel like you let yourself down, remember all the feelings when you leave a casino(after so much time and money gone)---shame, anger,regret, sadness. Do not entertain any gambling thoughts,just decide NOT to go, leave it at that and enjoy your peace. There is so much out there for you-fight it, you can do it! (Just think about acing that exam!!)

Do not take your friend's calls or emails. If you happen to talk to her/him ask them to PLEASE not ask you to go. Tell them anything you need to but DON'T GO!
Yvegas gave you such a wonderful and heartfelt and wise response. LISTEN TO HER. And listen to ME and others. Don't go!!!
You know it is not about the money, you know it is not about winning. You KNOW it will end up with more pain. Sometimes that is what I think we run to... the pain because it is more comfortable. NO IT ISN'T in the long run. Don't go.....

Before you decide to go to the casino make yourself a promise to log on to DS first...and read. Then you can make a decision as to what you will do...gamble or not gamble.

I know what yvegas is saying and her advice and words of wisdom are right on. We do make a mental trip to the casino long before we go.

One other thing that helped me to keep away from alcohol when I decided to stop because it was no longer a good choice for me...think the drink through all the way....right from the 1st drink to the hangover, etc, and that morning after. Now replace drink with casino, gambling.

Hang in there!!!