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...
Day 73. Do I miss it? Do I miss the gambling? I can say, without a shred of hesitation, no, I don't. I did the first couple of weeks, I am not sure if I missed the gambling, or if I missed the running? Either way, I ran to the casino, so its one of the same for me.
I am starting to enjoy my freedom, freedom from the grip this addiction had on me for 10+ years, freedom from the fear, waking up from a binge, crying, and then going back. Freedom to explore this new world I am in, I feel like a little kid, getting to experience my life.
When I was gambling, I may have thought I had free will, but, in looking back at my addiction, I didn't have free will, I had no control, my addiction had control over me, it had control over my emotions, my finances, my spirit.
Today, although I am very much aware of the addiction and the control it can have over me, if I let it, I am free, sweet baby Jesus, its wonderful to live my life, without the fear and the sadness, this addiction had over me.
Today, I live in happiness, and although I am very much on guard, I'm also learning to appreciate this addiction, I never really gave it the credit it deserves for being so powerful... guess what, I am powerful, bring it on. One day at a time, I am aware, I am awake, and I am not in fear. xxoxoxoxoxxo
I am starting to enjoy my freedom, freedom from the grip this addiction had on me for 10+ years, freedom from the fear, waking up from a binge, crying, and then going back. Freedom to explore this new world I am in, I feel like a little kid, getting to experience my life.
When I was gambling, I may have thought I had free will, but, in looking back at my addiction, I didn't have free will, I had no control, my addiction had control over me, it had control over my emotions, my finances, my spirit.
Today, although I am very much aware of the addiction and the control it can have over me, if I let it, I am free, sweet baby Jesus, its wonderful to live my life, without the fear and the sadness, this addiction had over me.
Today, I live in happiness, and although I am very much on guard, I'm also learning to appreciate this addiction, I never really gave it the credit it deserves for being so powerful... guess what, I am powerful, bring it on. One day at a time, I am aware, I am awake, and I am not in fear. xxoxoxoxoxxo
I think that's what sucks many of us in. Recently there was a poll released where 85%... yes 85% of people polled thought gambling was a part of everyday life. That was, of course, sponsored by the casino lobby to advocate for lower taxes on gambling proceeds... but I won't take the soapbox completely right here and now. The point is that it seems as gambling becomes more and more widespread, it becomes more and more commonplace and the respect it deserves becomes very blurred. In other words, the more people do it, the more it seems "harmless," we all know that to be 180 degrees the opposite.
Once we cross that line into compulsive gambling we must always remember how strong that pull is, how deceptive the allure is...
Thanks for this post and great job with the daily posts!
Jay
John