David's Fist Day of Recovery

Hello David,

Well done for comming here to seek a gamble free life. You will recieve tons of support on here from many people. This site has been a rock for me in my recovery. Congrats on your soberity for 17 years from alcohol, that's awesome. Sounds like you have a very supportive wife. What's helped me in my recovery is 1 on 1 therapy and group therapy sessions. I enrolled myself in a outpatient addictive center for gambling. I'am a compulsive gambler also my g.o.c. was slots. Not sure if you have anything like that by you,but maybe something you want to look into. Also Gamcare offers counseling and support. I have a thread on the intros forum under "chart of compulsive gambling and recovery" you might like to read those posts. You have (10) big reasons to quit the gambling and join being sober from that also. I wish you the best in finding what helps you to abstain from this terrible addiction.

Sincerely,

Chicagoguy

I have been gambling for about 30 years, but the last 10 have seen a progressive dive in my credit and credibility.

I am known for being open and honest, which is true for most things, unless it has to do with gambling. I lie about where I am going, what I am doing, or when I will be home, whenever I have an opportunity to spend time in a casino.

I had two grand in my hand yesterday morning after about 15 minutes of gambling. But it is obviously not about the money for me, for I put it all back into the slots and then went to the ATM for more. By the end of the day, I was searching for change in my Mini Cooper, hoping to get it all back.

When I look around the room as everyone was preparing for bed last night, I realized that all these people are counting on me. It is time I started taking the steps I need to right the ship of my life...

I pray that everyone here has the courage to succeed at overcoming their addiction, or to, at least, hold it in check.

David,

Well done for coming on here and accepting you need some support. You'll get a lot of help and advice from like-minded people on here.

Evidently, you've cracked addiction before (congrats on sobriety), and I have no doubt that with hard work a commitment, you can do so again. The thing with drug & alcohol abuse is that it seems so much more 'real' - other people understand being addicted to drink or drugs, because it's quantifiable and involves something they can see and feel. Gambling is so much more complex, yet just as (if not more destructive).

There are many practical steps you can look into in the short-term (self-exclusion / passing over control of finances to another person / GA meetings) but the most important thing is that you have a real determination to beat this thing. It sounds like you have much to live for (and your family relying on you). What better reason to stick two fingers up to gambling?! Having responsibilities can make you feel trapped - like you need to escape into the gambling dream-world. But as all compulsive gamblers know, this only leads to destruction, sorrow and pain. You might win £2000 today, but you know what - you'll lose that + a lot more tomorrow.

Anyway, keep posting on here mate.

Supporting you all the way

D123

I appreciate you taking the time to post a note of encouragement. One of the things that has me baffled is working. I live in a remote area and I commute in to town lately to teach as a substitute. Unfortunately, there have been times when I was not honest about going to work and went to the casino instead. Yet, the problem is my family needs the income from this position at the moment. Any thoughts?

Self exclude yourself from the casinos. Here in the states if you self exclude yourself and decide you are going to go down and gamble anyhow, you are arrested for tresspassing and prosecuted.

Chicagoguy

Looks like I have been away from this forum for a long time. Unfortately, I do not have great news to report. I have not stopped gambling, my mortgage in four months late and I continue to lie about my whereabouts and time. Looking for a start, starting today, where manipulation, lies, and self-doubt, do not command my attention. Is there anyone willing to come alongside and guide me to recovery???

I'd like to try and help. Let me know a bit more about your story. Seems it's been over 2 years since you were last here.