Gambling

[Chris1]

Anyone gamble a lot??? I'm spending so much it's crazy. I have like 5 payday loans that I can't pay. I stopped for a year then I started again. I'm going to credit counselling next week to see if they can help me get out of this debt. Anyone else going through this??

 

[CoryAndTrevor]

Sorry you're dealing with this! I've been lucky enough to ALWAYS lose when I gamble, so I never caught the bug. Lucky loser I guess lol /default_smile.png I have friends though who have dealt with this, and it's just as hard to deal with as a drug problem. They were addicted to the adrenaline rush.

 

[headbanger]

I personally don't gamble for money - I have enough other addictions.

But if you think about it most of us here are gambling bigtime.

Chris I wish you luck and hope you can find the strength to find your way back. Support groups can be very helpful. If being in a room full of people freaks you out then maybe start with online message boards. You can admit issues without being embarrassed or shamed in front of people then maybe work up to a live group.

 

[Chris1]

Thanks headbanger and coryandtrevor. I did go to those meetings about 5 years ago about people telling me the stories they had about gambling. I went about 6 times. It didn't help at all. It was interesting hearing some stories but at the end of the day, stories won't help you stop. I guess at the end of the day I need to do it on my own. I know I love the rush when I win but when I'm leaving , I have nothing left. I will give it another try to stop. I just hope credit countselling will help with all this money I owe. That's what there for, to help people that have debt problems. So I hope they can help. Thanks.

 

[headbanger]

Yeah Chris meetings aren't for everybody. I went for a year but keep relapsing cause all that people talked about was getting fucked up all meeting long.

When I stopped going to meetings is when I stopped relapsing cause I was not thinking about it 24 hours a day.

Had a couple of minor short lapses in 11 years other than that I've been sober almost the whole time.

 

[2earls]

Congratulations to you HB! 11 years is no joke.

Yes, I have been bitten by the gambling bug. Started out lucky and all was grand.

But that always comes to an end. When I started to lose, I noticed I'd become bitchy. Didn't like the way it felt, like a bad drug withdrawal. Have scaled back considerably and am working hard on some self discipline.

Sorry that you're in such a jam C. Just stay focused on getting back on track.

 

[headbanger]

2e, 11 years less a few months but it's still means a lot to me even though it was not continuous. My point is I don't have to struggle daily or make bad decisions anymore and the urges are gone. One of the most important lessons I've learned over the years is the fact I can deal with life and life's crisis without reaching for something to cope.

Anyone else here who might be struggling I hope and pray for you that you find your way back to an enjoyable and purposeful life.

AA is a great place to start and has helped many, many people. But it's not for all and I decided that early on. Through a combination of SSRI's and therapy I was able to find a way to  live life without D&A.

Chris I know you have the strength to deal with your problem. Just keep keeping on, and talk to people. That's what helped me the most.

Tom aka headbanger

 

[Chris1]

Well said , thanks.

 

[Meltheangel]

Chris, take the points and the over. Jk. Seriously though, just remember that you don't have control of the outcome. This helped me stop gambling because if you think about it those of us that gamble think we are smart. Maybe you are and maybe you are not. The point is you CAN NOT control the outcome no matter how many stats you researched. So if you can't afford it don't bet it. I still gamble but as soon as I go on a losing streak, I stop. And I won't bet again until after I get my income tax return lol. Yes I will wait. I was out of control but I stopped for a few years and now I have my priorities straight. Good luck.

 

[chalup]

I gamble for fun, I think everyone has there vices, and some are worse than others.