One big hit and your addicted

Hi Chicago,

I'm glad to hear you are doing well. Those slots never did anything for either of us. I get the same fantasy from time to time. Those darn games were designed to take money from the player. That's how the casino boss makes his money. To add insult to injury compulsive gamblers ( I prefer the word addicts ) cannot stop once we get started. So, even if we win, we don't win for long and wind up going home busted. It's a losers game no matter how you look at it. It's always the same story. It is hard some days I agree. Abstinence is the only way to beat them at their own game. Don't get started. Just don't do it at all. One day at a time of course. Have you been doing any fishing this year?? -joanxxx

Hey Chicago

Great to hear from you again and know you are still doing well in your abstinance.

Take care and stay strong.

Feb.

Hi Chicago,

I've been reading your posts and found them really helpful. I'm on Day 1 - can't wait to be at 17 months like you!

Thanks

Hey Everyone,

Just checking in to say hello, and update my progress. Hope everyone is doing great. I'am now 18 months gamble free, and very proud of myself. Some days are tougher then others, that's just the nature of this addiction, and one you will have to learn to live with. I try to keep busy and stay positive with each day, again sometimes the best philosophy is, just take it one day at a time. There's no magic cure for this addiction, just hard work and determination to remain abstinent. I wish you all the best in your recovery process.

Recovering compulsive gambler,

Chicagoguy

G.O.C. Slots

Lat day of action 1/7/2013

Well done on your continued success, chicagoguy. Very happy to read you're still doing fantastic in recovery.

18 months says it all really. Wow. Crazy to think It's been that long since you first arrived back in January 2013 and started your recovery.

Wish you the best on the road ahead. Thanks again for your support, it meant a lot to me.

Again, congratulations and best wishes.

-Alex

Mr C

Fella a huge well done from me on completing your 18 months of abstinence,your determination to better your own life through arresting your addiction is today rewarding you my friend,keep making the right choice and keep reaping the rewards

Thanks for sharing,I hope your journey encourages others to make the same choice.

Abstain and maintain

Duncs stepping forward never back

hey chicagoguy

gotta congratulate you on your 18 months gamblefree a great achievement and im sure it will continue.All the best Jeff.

Hey all,

Stopping by to say hello and I hope everyone is doing great. I'am starting to realize the longer I'am abstinent of this addiction the more rewarding my life is starting to become. Gambling robs you of looking at the glass half full and makes you look at it half empty, little rewards in life that happen, we don't embrace them anymore, because all we want to embrace is that bet or that pull of the handle. I really believe if you can abstain from this, the further you get into your own personal recovery the more you will awaken the way you once felt about yourself. Recovery is not only about stopping the addiction, it's also about the healing of your soul. Everything that this addiction stole from you, you can have back, just not the money you lost, that's gone and needs to be forgotten like a bad nightmare. If you can get past the loss of the money and into the healing part of this addiction, I firmly believe you will gift yourself back so much more. I'am starting to see after almost 19 months of abstinence, these gifts of life we once took for granted, because our minds were so consumed with the thought of placing that next bet. Stay strong, and determined to gift yourself back to you, as always I wish you the best in your recovery process.

Recovering compulsive gambler,

Chicagoguy

G.O.C. Slots

Last day of action 1/7/2013

well done your doing great , ive just read your first page and last i have to say how you described yourself on your first page is exactly how i once felt . may your success continue , whats weather doing there heat wave here at the mo lol, thanks simon

Hey all,

Been awhile, so stopping by to update my thread. I'am still gamble free and continuing to make forward progress. Positivity through this recovery is a very important part of staying the course. I feel things are starting to take a turn and as I approach my 2 year mark, I intend on making that and continuing forward from there gamble free! Everyone has to find the medicine that works for them, I believe I've found mine, STAY POSITIVE! Reminding myself on a daily basis how much better my life is today, then it was when I was in action, is reinforcement to maintain abstinence. I still have a long road ahead of me, but I'd much rather travel this one. Fall time is upon us over here and I'am enjoying the cooler weather with work. I hope everyone is doing great, and I wish you the best in your recovery process.

Chicagoguy

G.O.C. Slots

Last day of action 1/7/2013

Hey all, been awhile since I've stopped by. All is well with me, although I still do struggle from time to time with wanting to give the old slots a go. I've learned that in time that passes by. Staying positive and committed to my abstinence is a choice I made almost 2 years ago when I checked in to my rehab clinic for compulsive gambling. I really do think my life is much better without the gambling, and recovery is a slow process, one you can't rush and your learning how do live your new life in abstinence of gambling. I hope everyone is doing great, I wish you the best in your recovery process.

Chicagoguy

G.O.C. Slots

Last day of action 1/7/2013

Hey Chicargo

Lovely to hear you are remaining abstinant, nearly two years!! - me too!

Take care and continue with yoyr positive journey.

Feb.

Well done to both of you. Always grateful for your support when I needed it. I'm gamble free still too - thank God! Had a couple of minor blips along the way, but going back now just isn't going to happen. Quite happy with where I'm at right now. Life can still be a struggle sometimes but at least I'm not gambling to escape it.

-Alex