One big hit and your addicted

Hi Blondie00,

Hope all is going well for you and thanks for posting. What I decided to do is start a intros forum showing the chart progression. I haven't had many people comment in my intros so i thought this way may be better. I'am thinking most people who first find this site are reading the intros forum to gain some understanding of the forum and site. I hope everyone reads it, as it was a real eye opener to me in my group therapy. Thanks again and hope to chat with you again.

Sincerely,

Chicagoguy

Hi Chicagoguy

Keep up the good work. Im a compulsive gambler like yourself. I see you said why didnt anybody stop me in your posts. Do you think you would have stoped if someone pulled you aside. We have to realise that we are sick and the buck stops with us.

Helpful tip may be to bar yourself from your local casino. At least the temptation will ease.

Anyways good luck Buddy and well done so far.

Hello PityGambler,

Looking back now that I'am 39 days gamble free, it's becomming more clear how sick this disease makes you. I'am learning alot in my 1 on 1 therapy sessions and group therapy. We have a hour of education before group starts each time we get toghether. We have been discussing the different phases you go through as a compulsive gambler, and now I have begun to realize that I'am the only one who could stop myself from gambling. I'am in the critical phase and now realize how this addiction effects you. So looking back in the first week of posting, I was angry that nobody ever said anything, but now I know that wouldn't have helped. It's got to come from you, the will and desire to stop the sickness. Thanks for stopping by, hope to chat again with you.

Sincerely,

Chicagoguy

Congrats on your 40 days Chicagoboy your diary makes good reading I will follow your diary with interest stay strong my friend

The bear.

Thanks everyone,

Today I'am 40 days gamble free, as of Jan 7 2013 my last day I gambled, that's the longest I've been away from the slots in the last 2 years. Much graditude to all of you reading my posts and also responding. We can gain strength from one another. I really appreciate all the words of encouragement. I'am finding the more I post on my diary and post on others forums it's giving me strength to stay away from gambling. I'am looking forward to my 1 one 1 therapy session on Monday and my group therapy session on Tuesday. I wish you all the best in your recovery process.

Sincerely,

Chicagoguy

Congrats on the 40 days, really well done and thank you so much for your post it meant alot im gonna need all the help i can get and i felt really down yesterday so to get such supportive posts was a big help. Glad things are going well and the threaphy sessions are helping. I recently learnt of a gambling help place nearby, not exactly sure what it is, think its a form of counciling but i will probably check it out soon, if it helps why not? Thanks again and keep going, dont go back it only gets worse! Be proud of what your doing and enjoy that new gamble free life.

Dear Slot Machine,

I'am letting you know Iam looking forward to my counseling session tomarrow. Where going to kick this love affair in the a** you have created with me. I'am not going back to you, I'am done it's a divorce! I will never look you into that machine face again and let you lie to me and have me continue to put money in your mouth! All your fancy sounds and lights will never entice me into having that abusive relationship with you again. I never hated in my life, but now I hate you. What did you give me in this relationship? I realize nothing now. All you did was take and take and take from me. Oh your good though you fooled me and sucked me in at first, but now I'am strong and finding me again, I'll never be in a relationship with you ever again tripple diamonds! You will become a distant memory as my new life goes forward. I have lots of support and I will win this time.

Sincerely,

Chicagoguy

I loved your last post, chicagoguy.

You're right. Any form of gambling will just rob your time and money and give you nothing in return, except pain and misery that is.

It's a good analogy you've got there- The relationship and divorce. It made me think of my recent 2 year fling with the online gambling and how I recently cut it out my life, hopefully for good. She's keep urging me to go back to her but everytime she urges I just kick her in the a** and give her the finger. Lol, maybe I'm getting carried away.

Anyway, well done in finding your way here, mate. You really won't regret ditching that slot. 😉

Stay strong.

All the best,

Alex

Hello everyone,

Hope you all enjoyed my last post, felt good to write that. Anyhow, day 42 and off to 1 on 1 therapy in a few hours. Looking forward to group also on tuesday nite. Got through another weekend of no gambling, hard to believe it's been 6 weeks today since I last went to the casino. It definately does get a bit better each day and week that goes by. I hoping to share so more educational info with all of you from what we are learning in group therapy. I haven't heard from my friend Riggertroll, hope your doing ok. Just wanted to drop a quick note to everyone reading my diary.

Sincerely,

Chicagoguy

Hello everyone,

Just got back from my 1 on 1 therapy session tonite. It was a good discussion and I'am learning more about myself and how to overcome this addiction. Interesting enough, I had mentioned to my therapist I had wrote a entry in my diary addressed to a slot machine. Not knowing, but that is actually part of the program down the road. They have you write a good-bye letter to your g.o.c.( game of choice). I mentioned it felt good to get that off my chest. There's so many different ways to approach a recovery, but I really like the track I'am on. When you give support to others and get support back, this a very good way to express your feelings and learn from each other. I guess I'am learning to feel again after being numb and for 2 years. I understand the zombie state of mind you become with this addiction now. I really hope to help others out there with this disease we call gambling. I want to start closing out my diary each time I post on it with what I was greatful with for the day. This will help reinforce positive thinking. So tonite I will start that, even though my transmission just started clunking on the way home tonite and shifting real hard from therapy, and I know it's about to kaput on me, I'am greatful that I'am at home in the warm house and not stranded on the side of the road. I wish you all the best in your journey's to a gamble free life.

Sincerely,

Chicagoguy

Thanks for posting on my diary chicagoguy, very good idea to write a goodbye letter to g.o.c..

My downfall was the roulette wheel, how silly, we put everything we earn in a week on one spin trying to GUESS where the ball is going to land.

Congrats on 6 weeks.

Keep up the fight.

Shaun

I really like the idea of the goodbye letter chicagoguy. I might do it myself, later. I'm near on 60 days now and am putting gambling well behind me.

We should always be on guard, of course, yet I feel just putting in this effort to stop rather than going alone is a great help in staying bet free.

I believe had I not have found this place I'd still be gambling. It's been vital having this support here.

I'm now not viewing gambling with rose tinted glasses, but seeing it for the illusion it is. An illusion that leads you to waste your time chasing riches that never ever come.

Well done on 47 plus days. It feels good doesn't it?

All the best, mate.

Alex

Hello everyone,

Well I got my truck fixed today, looking like it might last a bit longer. Anyhow the true test will be the long drive to group therapy tonite and back, round trip is 90 miles for me. Very much worth it to me. Crazy all the money I dumped into those dumb slot machines, couldv'e bought myself a new car. It's only when you get sober and stop the insanity of gambling that it becomes clearer to you, the poor decisions you were making.

Looking forward to my group session tonite, its a great way to express your feelings and concerns and learn. I highly suggest anyone who hasn't tried some 1 on 1 therapy or group therapy to give it a go. Well stay strong everyone and I'am greatful for Gamcare today and all the supportive people I have met.

Sincerely,

Chicagoguy

Glad ya trucks fixed and hope the session tonight goes well. Keep up the good work.

Goodevening everyone,

Just got home from my group therapy session. It's a very cold night in Chicago, burrrr. Group went well tonite and I'll have some new info to post on my thread in the intros on education. Hope all of you are doing great in your recovery. Hey Riggertroll hope your vechicle gets fixed, we missed you in group tonite, stay strong my friend. And my other new friends, hope you both find your way here, and remember just open the door, don't say anything after opening it, lol. The more I learn the more I understand what a battle I have ahead of myself, but I will overcome and conquer this addiction. I wish all of you the best in your recovery.

Sincerely,

Chicagoguy

P.S. Have a great vacation, you deserve it, and thanks for helping me.