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...
Hi everyone. On 2/25/2021, I finally the self exclusion from casinos in my home state. Sadly, if I drive a little over an hour, I'm in another state and can gamble. And I've done that 3 times since I self excluded on 2/25. On the bright side, I guess, 3 casino visits in over a month is a really low number for me. I was gambline 3-5 times per week! So it's an improvement. I just wish the urge would subside. It's daily. I fight with myself to not make the drive and gamble. Anyone have any insight into when this urge may subside? Thanks to all of you who have provided messages of support it truly means alot.
I've also learned that urges always pass, typically within about 20 minutes. (again, theoretically!) So it helps to be ready with a list of healthier things to do to fill that time. Walking, reading, and doing puzzles have all helped me.
One other tool that has helped me is "playing the tape through". At the first inkling of an urge, I make myself stop and think through what it will be like and how I'll feel, from driving there to walking in to playing...and most of all, to how worthless and horrible I will feel leaving the casino, once again broke and broken.
Every step away from gambling counts. I had to self-exclude from every casino within several hours' driving distance, even across state lines. I also had to block my access to cash. Otherwise, when urges strike, my inner gambler will find a loophole to get me back in action. I wish you strength for your journey! Grateful that today I will not gamble.
What do I really think I will get by gambling? Do I think I won't mentally obsess about it afterward? Do I think I wont just activate more and stronger craving? Do I want my life to be driven/directed by this impulse craving non stop thoughts to go and gamble? Do I want a life that is purely about gambling - because that really will be the only thing I want/crave/need?
And YESSSSS we can self exclude from as many casinos as we can get to. You see the power of excluding from nearby ones -- I needed to SHUT THAT DOOR. It was a big, scary step but it has saved me on many, many occasions.
Now and then I get a fleeting thought, or urge -- but what is it really I am craving/wanting --- ? Normally I am looking for escape, I'm lonely, I want some easy "fun'. None of these will be fulfilled with the financial and spiritual destruction I can cause. I can look at these feelings/wants I am chasing and figure out better ways to fulfill them!