Step 1 journal-part 2

When a thought occurs to me, do I immediately act on it without considering the consequences? In what other ways do I behave compulsively?
In most cases, no. In general, I follow a pretty self-controlled life. Financially, I am conservative, I think about and research any mid to large purchase, and have the ability to resist temptations in the areas of food, purchases. I think about how my actions affect the other people in my life, in every area of my life, with the exception of gambling.
How does the self-centered part of my disease affect my life and the life of those around me?
It has affected them in many ways, financially being the most obvious and most pressing. However, the muddled way my brain has been has affected them as well. My mind being elsewhere, either thinking about gambling or trying to figure out how to stave off bounced checks or cancelled utilities has deprived my family of a "present" mom and wife. How has my disease affected me physically? Mentally? Emotionally? Spiritually?
I was sick, in all the ways described above. Using the past tense term only because the difference in how I feel since I stopped gambling has been so significant. I used to not be able to sleep, eat, or think. My stomach was always upset. I was depressed, and stressed beyond belief. I put everything on the back burner, until it was too late to do anything about it.
What is the specific way in which my addiction has been manifesting itself most recently?
By not gambling, it has been manifesting itself in being immersed in recovery, and diving into work to prevent financial disaster.
Have I been obsessed with a person, place, or thing? If so, how has that gotten in the way of my relationships with others? How else have I been affected Physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually by this obsession?
The only place I have been obsessed with was the casino. No other person, place or thing.
Have I given plausible but untrue reasons for my behavior? What have they been?
I have lied and said I was at work, at a friends house, had a flat tire, just about everything under the sun to hide the fact that I was at a casino. It is scary how easily I lied, and how believable I was. It makes me sick to think about it.