I have recently admitted I have a compulsive gambling problem. I am hurting not only myself but everyone I care about. I am starting counceling soon, and attending my first meeting on Wed (scared but going). I miss being happy. Any advice would be highly appreciated. Thanks.
Welcome to supportgroups, glad your here & your not alone. You've taken the first step to admitting your self destruction/addiction/problem, I'm proud of you & congrats on starting the long journey w/seeking counseling, thats a start, good for you. As you walk through the wreckage a light bulb may come on as to "How,Why,What & Where" & will keep your pattern at bay & help you replace this addiction w/a positive productive solution, please keep talking w/us, we're here for you & let us know your findings so others can learn.
Take care of you
April
Hi!
I went to my first meeting last night. It was not all that bad. Like you I was scared, but after meeting the other attendees, I felt a little (just a smidge) of weight being lifted. I remember thinking - it really isn't just me! So you'll be scared, but still go. Afterall, it won't "hurt" ya to go!
Let me know how you did.
Best Wishes
Macy
I wish I could say...Welcome to the Club...but I know this is not a club any of us wants to be in. I know its hard to admit that Gambling is a problem. It starts out as something fun to do but some where along the line its just gets out of hand. Know that you are not alone! There are many who know how you feel and are here to help! I knew I had a problem for a year...I tried traditonal therapy but it wasnt what I need. I found a therapist who specializes in gambling addiction and have been seeing her for about 8 weeks. I still have not had the courage to go to a GA meeting I hope some of the bravery of others on this site will help me get to that point.
Katie
Thank you for your support. I just set up my first meeting with a specialized gambling councelor. This site is my way of coping as well as my family doesn't understand why I did the things I did to hurt them. My mom currently is not talking to me because of my problem and it is hurting me a ton...She is also a gambler.
Good work guys. Its FILLING something inside, find out what.
Okay, so I was suppose to go to a meeting tonight, but didn't because ..... I was just too tired from work. My dad called to see if I had gone and of course I waited an hour and called him back. I told him I didn't due to a work issue and of course this made him very upset with me. This of course upset me. I hated lying to him but I already knew what his reaction would be.
You'd have to know my dad to understand why I felt I could not tell him the truth. I get upset because besides dealing with this problem and I am also dealing with the loss of my husband. I feel so alone at most times and when I feel like I've disappointed my dad even further, I feel even more alone :-(
I didn't blow off the meeting to just blow it off. I had awaken at 2am and couldn't go back to sleep until 530, which only gave me an hours sleep. I am exhausted and really didn't feel like doing anything.
Okay, I just wanted to vent!
Macy, its alright & you'll go again when your ready, thanks for venting & focus on YOU & nothing else if you can.
April
Macy...you've got to do it for you not because others want you to do it. Your Dad may be upset with you for not going but if your going for him you are going for the wrong reason. The whole process is emotionally draining so try not to stess yourself out...it makes a relapse too easy. I've had two meetings a week in my planner since january but have not yet gone. I know it may help but I'm not ready for that yet. But I remind myself it is there for me when I'm ready. I am lucky because I have a supportive family. Even my Gambling relatives understand and no longer ask me to attend with them. Keep Coming here to vent! We are here for you!
Thanks April and Katie!
Katie, hang in there! I constantly remind myself of the damage I've done to myself by looking at my check book. At this time, I get instantly nauseous thinking of gambling! I can't wait until the day I have my "own" money! Not borrowed money!
I attended my first GA group meeting on Friday evening from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. I must admit that I didn't know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised to see how many people were in attendance. The group had started the round table introductions with a summary of the straw that broke the camel's back which made "us" aware of the fact that we had a real disease. We really are compulsive gamblers who would not stop because we just knew that the next spin would be the one.... the jackpot. We had absolutely no control over ourselves from the moment of entering the casino(s). It is almost like the big "eye" - camera picked up on us entering and targeted us to strip us of every dollar we walked in with. Sure, we all had that one "big" win in the beginning when the machines ousted Bingo. But that was the trick of the devil to get us hooked immediately. I kept my promise to my husband to attend and now I will not ever miss another meeting. The Church where we have our meetings is so beautiful and serene until if puts you in a peaceful state of mind upon entry. I'm determined to NEVER enter a casino again to gamble. Now I will take it one day at a time for the rest of my life. I will find VICTORY.
Mary Joe