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...

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Rainietoo 04/10/2012

I was thinking about what I would rather do other than throw three or four hundred dollars at the slot machines. I have booked a spa package getaway for next week overnight. For three hundred dollars I am getting a quaint little cottage overnight at the spa. Use of the indoor and outdoor swimming pools, saunas, jacuzzis, steam rooms and a wellness class. I get all of my meals plus I get a luxurious scalp and foot massage and an hour long full body massage. How is that for bang for your buck? :)

What have you recently done to make your money go further than your addiction? I love when we share this positive stuff with each other!

toey 04/10/2012

I put my money either in a high interest savings account to earn 5% on it, or buy blue chip stocks which pay dividends of about 5-8%.

Make money work for you :)

deleted_user 04/11/2012

Morning, instead of gambling my $100, I went to the grocery store. Had forgotten how much good stuff you can get with five twentys instead of putting that and more into slot machines! Wow, my frig and cupboards are full..............thanks for ur posts, keep em coming, helps soooooooo much. retaann

toey 04/12/2012

retaann - I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes having the small stuff makes life so much more meaningful. I remember I used to throw away $800 at the roulette table and walk away feeling shit.

But there were times when I withheld my urge and spent $3.50 buying 3 pieces of KFC. That really was enough to make me appreciate money.

deleted_user 04/12/2012

What I find interesting is that when I was actively gambling, I would deny myself very simple purchases, yet think nothing of spending like a rich man in the casino. What I noted since I stopped gambling was that for the first time, in a very long time, I felt at ease, and panic free. I felt a confidence that had previously been absent in my life. It amazes me that I had lived with so much chaos.

What I do with my money now? I enjoy it, spend it on things I need and want. I invest in myself and my future, but I also take stock in knowing that should a financial emergency arise, I'll be prepared and able to remedy.

deleted_user 04/12/2012

I bought a Living Social deal for housecleaning services, which seemed like a splurge! And another for teeth whitening.

toey 04/12/2012

sljstp - agree. I thought nothing of throwing hundreds of dollars onto the table, yet when I went shopping, I thought shirts for $25 were too expensive (still do).

And yes, I've got a newfound amount of confidence now. Before, it was like I was walking around like an imposter - I thought people assumed I had a decent stable financial background. Little did they know that I was in debt.

Good to hear your feel good story.

imatotalmess 04/12/2012

We went major grocery shopping recently and I actually bought myself a new pair of jeans. Wow, what a concept, actually have the money to buy something for ourselves now.

deleted_user 04/30/2012

sljstp... i felt the exact same thing i wouldnt want to buy myself not even a cheap mcdonalds meal but yet wud go and spend sooo much more at the casino, it feels good to knw u hve mny to go youself a smoothie and what ever your kids ask you for, instead of saying you hve to wait til nxt wk i am broke wow how selfish this addiction is i am on the road to bigger and better things, i love this site so inspireing thanks everyone

deleted_user 04/30/2012

That's awesome - once I get more caught up, I have to invest in some new work clothes for sure and that will mean a lot!

deleted_user 05/03/2012

I would love to be in Paris right now...

And with what I've lost just the past few weeks, I could've flown first class.

UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

deleted_user 05/06/2012

Laying the beach and soaking up the rays is priceless.

deleted_user 05/06/2012

going shopping, its been months since I purchase new cloths... Wow, this is a great feeling...

tagg20 06/05/2012

Dusting off the golf clubs and hitting a bucket of balls! 1 1/2 hours of fun for $10 - works wonders, especially when each ball represents the ugly character traits I acquired by way of my addiction. Gotta go get another bucket (lol) ....started to say I ran out of b_lls, but then that would be a lie, in a different context!

Keep the good thoughts flowing! Warm regards to all!

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