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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Rsmithma 01/19/2013

It was a suttle change a little everyday I guess, I started to shy away from doing things that inspired me. Got a little confident and thought I did not need to be totally engaged in my recovery process. I allowed my mind then to be occupied by urges and the voice saying .... Just one more time. An hour cannot hurt you!!!!....... That with my husband who is a gambler, who I feel waited for a weak moment to keep suggesting a ride to the casino...... Thursday night I broke 60 DAYS and gambled for 6 hours. I hated it!!!! But could not leave!!!!!!! Could not get out of that fricken chair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just wish I could have been stronger not to do it!!!!! But I do not want to lose this war!!!!! I don't want to give up!!!!!!!!!!!! I need a stronger recovery plan!!! Believe me. It was hard to come back to this site! But a little picture of Dorothy and her dog Toto (Atticus), and the posts from Vicky and everyone else who ever posted, commented, or sent a hug to me made me feel safe enough to return here without judgement or ill thoughts!! Thank you all for that! I am not about to throw in the towel!!!! I am hoping thru this I become stronger in defending my sobriety. Thank you for letting me share........

Vicky39 01/19/2013

I am so very proud of You, Rs, for returning right back! It is the best first step in Recovery you can make! Take it easy, don't beat yourself up to much, but instead get yourself up on your feet and keep walking your very own Road, one little step at a time.
Love, Vicky.

cloris 01/19/2013

Thank you for sharing, I have wondered of late how long my GF is going to last. I am just worried I will have a runaway thought that sits me in a chair in front of a machine. Your story reminded me to keep diligent, and that nothing has changed out there. All you can do is pick yourself up and continue- keep going- you are still fighting! You had a stiff reminder of this stupid addiction, lesson learned, forward!

atticus63 01/19/2013

R, I am just so happy you decided to come right back. That shows just how much you want this. I have learned that what happened for you, a lapse, is much different than a relapse. It might sound like semantics, but it is huge! You have strength in character that brought you right back, that is just so wonderful. If this should ever happen to me, I can only wish that I will show as much fortitude as you have done, by being right back here. I can only tell you that so far you have done more for my recovery than you can possibly know. You letting us know that it is not worth it, when our own addict brain is saying "go ahead, you can go one more time". So, please know how important it is for us to hear it from one that has been back to the front lines and in the trenches. The battlefield still has the mines and pitfalls it always had. Rachel, I can only hope this step back will make for a leap forward and drive you to a newer, stronger commitment to go to meetings, and perhaps even post more on DS. Thank you for being here. Love and hugs, Estel

deleted_user 01/19/2013

R, you have not done anything that others on this site have not done. Including me many times. I firmly believe we will be done for good at a time perhaps least expected. Whether going with a husband or wife or by ourselves, it still hurts. We can do what we can do. DS, GA or other means. But there are no guarantees. We stop when we stop. I have never met a person with a crystal ball. So get on with living as all of your friends are holding your hand. I read something the other day, it goes like this. We have two hands, one for giving, one for receiving. Try both, Jon

deleted_user 01/19/2013

Honesty is the first step in getting healthy. Congratulations:-)

Rsmithma 01/19/2013

Thank you all soo much. I have a lot of work to do. I am glad I have this site to be totally honest and not hide the shame. Thank you soo much.........rachel

tagg20 01/19/2013

R,

Thank you for your honesty and truth....you cannot begin to understand just how much this helps all of us as we continue along the journey. There is not one person here that hasn't had the same exact thoughts/ideas. What amazes me, as E mentioned, is your fortitude and determination that continues to resonate loud and clear through your posts........YOU WANT THIS, YOU ARE NOT GIVING UP, and YOU WILL CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY !

WOW! You came back in a flash, poured out your heart, and now it's time to forgive yourself and move forward. There's strength in numbers, and we're here, flanked in fortification...we will win this war together.

Love Tagg

deleted_user 01/20/2013

So what were the things u did with in the six months that u didnt go too the casino. I am struggling bad behind my gambling. I really cant talk too anyone because I dont want people too judge me or look down on me. The only people who know what Im going through is my kids and I am hurting them. I just need help. I am thinking about going too a meeting that I looked up too see what that is about. I want too over come this madness and put things back how they should be

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