I have been thinking of contacting GA but am too embarrassed. I am also fairly new to this site, but am finding it extremely helpful listening to others' stories. They are all the same, losing, losing, losing. That's what we have to focus on when the "feeling" comes over us -people just don't win! It would take an extremely big jackpot for me to recoup what I've lost. A friend of mine used to go a couple of times a week and finally hit it big with a 250K jackpot. Guess what? She gave it ALL back!!! Insane, right?? I actually looked up my winnings and losses for last year: $8,700 lost and $165 won, can you believe it?? Stupid, stupid, stupid! That's what finally made me come to this site. So I say, let stay focused. One day at a time and with the help of DS we can me it. Hugs and Prayers to you.

Liz and Beta, I'm in the same boat have been a closet gambler for years. I've found the meeting listing for my area and making plans to attend my first one on Tuesday. It's going to be difficult but I don't think there is any thing to be embarrassed or ashamed about going to a GA meeting. I look at it as something to be proud of, finding the inner strength to first of all admit there is a problem and then to take that step and seek help. I'm sure I'll stand outside the door for a few minutes while the my stomach flip flops before I am able to walk in the door but stepping through that door for me is going to signify the start of something, helping to wipe the slate clean and start rebuilding my life. Be strong and take that first step.

Mitchi,
Yes, I've decided to go to a GA meeting (or my husband is making me), but I am sooooo embarrased to have to admit/talking face-to-face about my gambling problem. What I don't understand is "what's wrong with me?", I am a very responsible person (was) and could make a penny stretch into a dollar...we moved here (10 minutes away from several casinos) and I lost all common sense...
My first GA meeting is on Tues too...I'm sure all loiter around the front door too!

Oh beta62,
You are not stupid x3, at least you've caught it in time! I've managed to rack up over $72,000 credit card debt in just one year! I'm must be "stupid x10"
Good Luck and stay strong!!!

I wouldn't call anything I say advice. The 17th of this month would have been 60 days GF for me but I screwed up yesterday and Lost as usual but I feel like crap once again. The GA meetings for me have not been that bad, I really dreaded them also but It is kinda nice to tell someone that understands kinda like everyone here. liz417 I am stupid x100, I have not told my husband, to afraid and I am in about the same shape as you.

Gosh, where is my mind? I see x3 and x10 and I'm thinking of casino multipliers! You are right liz, at least I'm catching it in time. But you are not stupid x10 by any means. You and Mitchi have taken a big step. I think I may actually look into going to a meeting also. Hugs and prayers to you both and please report back on how the meeting went.

There is no need to be embarrassed or ashamed for being an addict. The addiction to gambling is a disease, just like alcoholism or drug addiction. Any person that is in a place for recovery, i.e, here at DS, in an AA, NA, or GA meeting, is there for the same reason that everyone else is there, and that is to overcome their addiction and regain their lives. we learn, together, to take it one day at a time, to work thru the steps, and be willing to do whatever it takes to stop the insanity of our addiction. These programs work, and recovery does work, but you have to put forth the effort and energy, cause it won't work if you don't work it.
There is no shame in being addicted to gambling...the only shame..is doing nothing about it. Keep coming back here to DS, go to the GA meetings, whatever works best for you in your recovery, but as Eastwester says, you can never have too many tools in recovery....gather all of the tools that you can, and use them as you need them, put them back in the 'tool box' for the next time you need them.
hugs
Danya

Hi, Liz. Good for you, taking a first step by telling your husband about your gambling. I know how hard that is...

For me, it was very difficult to go to my first GA meeting but I was welcomed with open arms by people who really understood what this addiction does to us. My gambling urges were so strong when I started going to GA, but as time passed and I attended more meetings, the urges decreased.

I wish you all the best.

Hi Jude48,
Trust me, I am not brave because I confided in my husband...I had to. He recently got a great job and was planning to relocate closer to work...he was making all these plans with the $$ we would get from the house...little did he know...
he had the realtor here appraising the house and everything! I knew I was done and I had to come clean! I think I would have continued to keep this secret and keep going to the casino hope that "I would win big" and pay off all the debt in on lump...
I'm planning on going to a GA meeting on Tuesday...
Hang in there Jude!

get to a meeting give it 90 days dont be ashamed youll find everyone in the rooms can understand your illness

Hi,i go to GA,once a week and find it really helpfull,at the meeting i go to there are not many women who go and some women find it hard with no any women,i had not been able to stop until i started attending ga regually.
Good Luck.
John

ramma,
Ouch, no women at most GA meetings, now I don't know if I want to go! I have to go and my first meeting will be tomorrow, Tuesday...very nervous...

Hi there. There's always been more women than men at GA meetings I have gone to. I wonder if it depends on if there are casinos in the area - I know alot of women, me included, got addicted to slot machines first. In any case, all of the men I have met at GA meetings have been very supportive. Please don't let that keep you from the meetings...

i go to ga every tuesday nite and glad to be there,and happy there is one close by who cares who attends men women it doesn't matter as long as they care and are there for the same reason telling your husband had to be scary i know good luck

hi there i am new to this too,i am thinking of attending a meeting because my gambling is causing problems in my family anyone get any advice lou x