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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DianneE 04/21/2008

I am interested in finding out what the turning point was that made others quit gambling....and what ways of thinking have kept people people free from gambling...

Many people coming here are struggling to find the will to give up gambling...perhaps understanding what helped some of us make that step could be helpful.

For me, the thing that made me know I HAD to quit was FEAR. I was afraid of the IRS, having spent my tax money on gambling....they didn't really like that and let me know with a threat...that would have taken my business and harmed people I love. Considering the impact of my addiction on people I love was very instrumental in allowing me to turn away from this addiction.

Another essential thing was the final submission to accepting I could not control gambling...I am powerless to gamble in a normal manner. I might bargain with myself about taking only a set amount of money, not taking cards, only playing certain games, etc., etc. and might succeed in this a few times, but inevitably soon returned to the insane behavior of driven spending everything I could get.

Now that I have some clean time, and the wolf has moved to a much more comfortable distance from my door, what keeps me clean is not ever wanting to return to that desperate state of shame and fear. Thinking of returning to the sorry place I was before is great motivation to keep on the road. Thinking of the positive things I can now hope for is great motivation to keep on this road to recovery.

Thanks to everyone here who continues to be part of this recovery.

Much love to all, Dianne

deleted_user 04/21/2008

What made me quit?
Today - my last day gambling. The person I become when I gamble - that scares me.
Last day gambled 20th April 2008. - for me from now I on I take this road one day at a time.

KenL 04/21/2008

I was an escape gambler. Had been using my gambling to escape from my past and the stresses of work.The more I escaped into gambling the great my problems became. The lies and the juggling of money and time just became too much. Was like juggling 100 different balls. I became sick and tired and they all came crashing down. I was close to losing family home and job and on June 13th 2002 was ready to take my life. Like it says in GA combo book my disease had progressed and to the point of Insanity and death wasn't far off. I went away to a family cottage looking for the courage to end it all. Instead I found the courage to come back home and battle this disease One Day At A Time. With the support of my family GA and places like this and Safe Harbor. I also found out-patient treatment for my CG and was given a Gift of being able to spend 28 days in a treatment center.There I shared things with complete strangers that I had held on to for over 40 years. I also believe that my Higher Power sent me a message on June 13th and I am glad I listened for my life today isnt perfect but mhy worst day today is still better than my best gambling.

deleted_user 04/21/2008

I don't like the conflict within, what used to be an escape is an entrapment and hollow gratification. Second is fear of exposure and shame, Third, harm of family, Fourth how gambling puts our finances in jeapardy and Fifth, spiritual reasons and being at peace with God. I must realize I am addicted but I have a choice on how I am to respond. Jim

deleted_user 04/21/2008

For me, I was crushed under the deceit and lies. I got "sick and tired of being sick and tired". Telling lies to cover original lies, working hard to make good money to spend it the same day I received it, being out late at night to gamble and coming home to a dark quiet house and feeling the guilt creep in as I tried to sleep with the knowledge of what I had done-again-all of these and shame at the depth to which my morality had descended made me realize that it is now or never. Death, insanity or prison aren't just words, they are an accurate prediction of where I was headed. How do I stay stopped? With GA, SH, and constant gratitude, for there is something to be grateful for every day. Oh, and no access to money-of course that helps too.
Love, Brigette

deleted_user 04/21/2008

for me it was the utter sense of failure .Losing more and more often in fact not winning anything of value. All the money went back into the habit. Here i go again sitting here putting 20 after 20 in the machine .My cards were all maxed ,I was facing losing my home and retirement looked tough /.

I was sick of chasing . Sick of lying and The deceit was awfull.
I nearly went nuts and smashed a machiNE .

Enough of this insanity .

I signed out and asked them to put me on the most wanted list at THE caSINO .Some humour crept in .But reaLLY ,,, WHAT A MESS THIS HABIT ,,, IMEAN ADDICTION CAUSES. I THINK MOST PEOPLE WILL REALIZE WHEN TIME IS UP .I HOPE BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE .
reg

deleted_user 04/21/2008

Realizing that I was hurting myself, daughter and family when I had no money. Telling my parents made me realize that they would be disappointed in me if only they knew how much I spent. I was escaping from many things and knew that I need to get help before it was too late. 12 day GF.

deleted_user 04/21/2008

For me it was the lies, my husband and I were ready to sell the house and move. We had the realtor here and everything, my husband was calculating the $$ we would have from the sale of this house for a new home closer to his work...I had to come clean...there was no equity in the home, the credit cards were maxed out and I couldn't make next month's bills...it all came crashing down very fast..

deleted_user 04/22/2008

I had to hit rock bottom. My secret life could no longer stay in the dark shadows. The hidden bills were mounting. Despite my best efforts to hide the debt the creditors called me at home, work and even my unlisted cell phone. Yes unlisted is not really unlisted.
My secret, double life, or fantasy world callapsed in and around me. Impossible debt. Debt that I still eightmonths later have not paid off. Debt that has ruuined a marrigae and had an impact on my family. Gambling Even a little bit is out of the question, now and forever for me.

deleted_user 04/23/2008

My final straw to quit gambling was knowing that my husband was going to lose his job of 28 years due to the company closing and that my income would be the only income for a while. Although my husband is financially sound (we keep our finances separate) it scared me to think that I would not be able to buy groceries if he need me to or to pick up a couple of the bills each month. I make a descent salary and can pay my own bills, but it would be hard to pick up much more. I decided that my gambling had to come to a stop out of respect for my husband and our happiness. It is strange how him losing his job was probably the best thing that could have happened to me in the long run. He has a new job now, which he isn't very happy with, but it is getting better. Life is so much better without the worries that gambling brings on.

DianneE 04/25/2008

Thanks to everyone who is commenting here. It helps me to relive where I was before quitting...and it helps to see myself in what you have all written. It is too easy to become complacent when the worst or most pressing damage from gambling is on the mend....Love to everyone

deleted_user 04/25/2008

I got tired of the lying, the covering, the throwing my hard earned money into something that wasn't EVER going to do anything for me. I'm tired of thinking that I don't "deserve" more!

DianneE 05/15/2008

Here are some responses on the topic of quitting and staying quit!

deleted_user 05/20/2008

diane, thank you so much for your insightful and helpful message/s. I have been gamble free since 4-10 and it has been the hardest thing i've ever done. i recently found this support group and am extremely grateful. i'll share more soon.

deleted_user 05/20/2008

i'm back- i've read all the responses and am somewhat shocked that most are an example of my own gambling life. The final straw which lead me to get help was a tv commersal on a gambling addition treatment program. i join, kicking and fighting all the way, certain that i "wasn't as bad as the others". well- i am and now am on a healthy trip to recovery. I have battled the demons of incest over and over again and now i must battle the demons of gambling addition. is it worth it, ABSOLUTELY.

DianneE 08/24/2008

OK, here are some previous replies to your question....hope this helps....Dianne

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