As time goes by....
It's interesting, this addiction..this is presently listed in the DSM-IV as an impulse control disorder, but this will be changed in the newest addition to the sole "behavioral addiction" in the DSM-V, due to be published next year. If you're interested, the url is :
http://blog.ncrg.org/issues-insights/redefining-pathological-gambling-new-research-highlights
One of the more comforting aspects of this article is this paragraph:
Is Pathological Gambling “Persistent and Recurrent”?
The DSM-IV describes pathological gambling as a “persistent and recurrent disorder,” a description that has been challenged by several studies. For example, a review of five studies that followed 1,689 gamblers over the course of two to seven years found that while healthy gambling and non-gambling behavior appears to be relatively stable over time, individuals with gambling problems experience considerable movement in and out of more severe and less severe levels of gambling disorders (LaPlante, Nelson, LaBrie, & Shaffer, 2008). Moreover, the authors observed that rates of recovery from pathological gambling, the most severe level of the disorder, appeared higher than anticipated. Consequently, the authors found no evidence to support the assumptions (1) that individuals cannot recover from disordered gambling, (2) that individuals who have more severe gambling problems are less likely to improve than individuals who have less severe gambling problems, and (3) that individuals who have some gambling problems are more likely to get progressively worse than individuals who do not have gambling problems.
I don't post much here, because what I would say has usually already been said, and better than I could have said it.
Still haven't gambled, as time goes by I think I've gone from being in the grips of a compulsion to simply resisting temptation. I can resist temptation, even if it's tsiramisu or something hot flavorful and covered with guacamole! That to me is a huge step.
I haven't been to GA in a few weeks, may go back eventually, but right now I think it actually makes me think about gambling more than not going does. I have the books and work the program. I do talk to my sponsor a few times a week, and have the adiction counselor from the state call every so often, but really haven't had much to say to either one of them recently. Usually, all I need to do is come here to read the stories of failure and success, and it re-energizes me to stay the course.
This is beatable.
http://blog.ncrg.org/issues-insights/redefining-pathological-gambling-new-research-highlights
One of the more comforting aspects of this article is this paragraph:
Is Pathological Gambling “Persistent and Recurrent”?
The DSM-IV describes pathological gambling as a “persistent and recurrent disorder,” a description that has been challenged by several studies. For example, a review of five studies that followed 1,689 gamblers over the course of two to seven years found that while healthy gambling and non-gambling behavior appears to be relatively stable over time, individuals with gambling problems experience considerable movement in and out of more severe and less severe levels of gambling disorders (LaPlante, Nelson, LaBrie, & Shaffer, 2008). Moreover, the authors observed that rates of recovery from pathological gambling, the most severe level of the disorder, appeared higher than anticipated. Consequently, the authors found no evidence to support the assumptions (1) that individuals cannot recover from disordered gambling, (2) that individuals who have more severe gambling problems are less likely to improve than individuals who have less severe gambling problems, and (3) that individuals who have some gambling problems are more likely to get progressively worse than individuals who do not have gambling problems.
I don't post much here, because what I would say has usually already been said, and better than I could have said it.
Still haven't gambled, as time goes by I think I've gone from being in the grips of a compulsion to simply resisting temptation. I can resist temptation, even if it's tsiramisu or something hot flavorful and covered with guacamole! That to me is a huge step.
I haven't been to GA in a few weeks, may go back eventually, but right now I think it actually makes me think about gambling more than not going does. I have the books and work the program. I do talk to my sponsor a few times a week, and have the adiction counselor from the state call every so often, but really haven't had much to say to either one of them recently. Usually, all I need to do is come here to read the stories of failure and success, and it re-energizes me to stay the course.
This is beatable.
Replies
Well said. You are very articulate and informative. I have read that book. I have always had very poor impulse control. Worked hard on that and am doing fine now as you are as well. What is happening to everyone, Love Hate appears to be gone. Resolve is not answering. Your friend ijl or whatever is gone. I wish they would come back. Your friend had wonderful compassion for others even though I had words with him. He is important to all of us and the same with LH and resolve. Shelly is really nice and I miss her. (Resolve) The only friends I hae left are you and Tina, (platinum). I get so much pleasure out of the two of you that if you both left there would be a big void in my life. Anyway, glad your going to some meetings. Good to check in once in a while. Tickets that are thrown away dont pay off. You know what I am talking about. Whether it is Fonner or Canterbury downs or whatever, go to the lake on sat. with Eckhart and at the end of the day you will be a big, big winner in our game of attraction. The bug is waiting for a weakness in each of us. How we handle that situation of vulnerability determines whether we succeed or fall back into depression. Hang in there, Jon
Sorry shelly,I thought this was from Mercury and I wrote it to her. I am so glad to here from you. I got worried that you left like so many others. I think about you a lot and hope you are doing ok. You know I am available 24 seven so keep in touch. You are important to me good or in any other situation. Jon