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...
One of the things I struggled with for the first few months of being GF was resisting the urges brought on by that not-so-little voice telling me that "It's Ok to go just once. Just bring a little money with you, this time will be different. This time you will know when to leave. This time you will know when to stop.You'll just have fun! "
I tried to ignore that voice, but it got louder and louder.
So I had to argue back:
My internal responses to that voice were:
"One definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over expecting a different outcome. I don't want to be crazy anymore"
"I have no brakes. I wouldn't get into a car with no brakes and expect to make it stop by sheer determination"
"Look at these bank statements!( Highlighted the casino withdrawals) just look at how much I've lost!"
What are your arguments back to that obnoxious voice? What does the angel on your one shoulder say to the devil on the other that is trying to get you back to gambling? Please add them to this thread, as they may help everybody who is struggling with those first few weeks/months when the Stinkin Thinkin is loudest.
I tried to ignore that voice, but it got louder and louder.
So I had to argue back:
My internal responses to that voice were:
"One definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over expecting a different outcome. I don't want to be crazy anymore"
"I have no brakes. I wouldn't get into a car with no brakes and expect to make it stop by sheer determination"
"Look at these bank statements!( Highlighted the casino withdrawals) just look at how much I've lost!"
What are your arguments back to that obnoxious voice? What does the angel on your one shoulder say to the devil on the other that is trying to get you back to gambling? Please add them to this thread, as they may help everybody who is struggling with those first few weeks/months when the Stinkin Thinkin is loudest.
One thing about a gambling addiction is the pain goes on after you quit. I'm still not rich, I have still lost people because I was not trustworthy, my life is not perfect. But... at least I am not gambling. It does not feel like punishment to not be able to gamble anymore.
In my opinion, that small voice is your "bad friend." Team up with all the good parts of you and bully that part out of your network of parts.
Flyorra...and for all....think about this story when the sinkin' thinking voices start calling your name:
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.
He said, My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all.
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility,kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: Which wolf wins?
The old Cherokee simply replied, The one you feed.
Posted on 06/30/12, 08:14 pm
Compliments of Bbird
This is a HUGE problem for me. I have listened to the voice because countless times I have gone back and won enough money to get me out of trouble.
The problem becomes when I go back just for fun and then start the cycle all over again.
Much love, atticus