Good morning! Sorry you had a tough night, but, I hope you understand it gets better! That in order for you to "get to the other side" you need to allow the process. It is the addiction talking, the fact that you seem to already be planning your next trip is the addiction talking. But, you do have a choice. Please don't act on it. As for the heart beating, not being able to breath, do yourself a favor, breath sister, take TODAY, that is all we have, take TODAY, breath, and just for today, stay in today, don't gamble. If you need to go outside, if you need to bend over, if you need to get on your knees and ask God for help, do it, but, no matter what, don't look for an excuse to place a bet, don't act on it, just for today. Hug your dog, and be good to yourself, please. Breath.

I recently got out of rehab for both alcohol and gambling. There was not a lot of support for the gambling addiction but was ensured they both use the 12 step program and it would be beneficial. I have spent a lot of time thinking about which addiction is worse and I have come to realize that it is the gambling addiction for sure. And I also believe that there are withdrawal symptoms.. I am struggling so much with the gambling but have no desire for a drink. Gambling occupies my mind all the time and the urges are terrible. I know I cannot keep any money on me or I will end up sitting in front of a slot machine. I feel so much what you are saying. When you are a gambling addiction, that thought of gambling sometimes can occupy our whole lives. Try to breathe and remember how the consequences feel. I have always said that I wish I could bottle the emotions I have when leaving the casino broke and not knowing how I am going to buy gas or groceries. If I could take that bottle and release that emotion, everytime I get an urge, it would deter me from ever gambling again.

Crissy11. exactly how I feel, thank you for putting in such great perspective. Honestly, I agree, I wish I could bottle and release the emotion, all the times I left, all the times, I cried, I was broken / broke. How easy our addiction is to forget the awful, terrible things that happened, and romance the idea of going, again, just one more time. I know for me, its what I hang my hat on, I will remember, thank you for reminding me, and thank you for the post.

Hi Chargergirl,
When I first quit gambling last year, I had withdrawls so bad that I felt like I was going crazy. I guess its like detoxing our bodies from this evilness that's been consuming our minds and souls. As days go by, it will get better, I promise. I couldn't concentrate on anything at first. My mind would race, my heart would pound, I was so restless. I know it gets better because I was over 9 months gamble free. I relapsed for a bit, but I know this is what has to happen for us to get better. It's not easy, but I know we are worth it. Stay Strong. We are here for you.
Hugs
Lisa

The gambling addiction reminds me a lot of the nicotine addiction.
People might be surprised but I would wake up and have a smoke with my coffee and after breakfast and while I put on my makeup and when I had a cup of tea, I would light up when I had a good gab session on the phone with my girlfriend when I was hungry for lunch but too busy to eat ( a quick smoke would curb my appetite) I would smoke as a treat during break time, when waiting for the bus to come, after supper, with a drink, with friends, during an intense talk, when doing art, after making love, when I was upset or angry and needed to process, when I was nervous...you get the picture.
Thoughts of gambling are intrusive and constant but so were the cravings to have as smoke. I associated it with just about everything for 20 years and when I quit I had to rethink all of those moments. I literally had to envision myself in situations or dealing with things as a non smoker- as someone that did not reach for a cigarette to ease the moment, to hide behind that furl of smoke, to create an ambience, to give my self space from a heated moment, have something to do with my nervous energy...it's the same with Gambling we must disassociate ourselves from all the moments and issues and feelings we use to utilize Gambling as a way to cope or distract or to entertain or bury things. It's a process and of course what we most want is to not think about Gambling but I think we do need to. We need to think about how we attached ourselves to that as a way of being and how we are triggered. It's like the only way out is through and yet through means we will be triggered and it might be painful.
That is what I am noticing.
:)
hope that made sense and rang true for someone else.

I went through physical withdrawal, too. I thought I was having a heart attack!

my blood pressure shot up, too.

what was really happening was my body was missing the excitement, & noise, etc. the rush, and all that junk.

it did settle down.

my body was trying to figure out how to handle this nice, stress-free pace. after years of gambling.

it's all better.

and instead of planning to go gamble on your payday, why not make plans not to gamble. have someone else in charge of your money. to pay the required bills. make plans to go to dinner with friends or something to keep busy. you have about a week to make great non-gambling plans.......... okay?

keep posting...............we love hearing from everyone. it keeps all of us on our toes. that is the beauty of DS: we really do need each other.