Hi all, I am new to this site and this is my first post. I have been gambling for about 2 years and it has gotten out of control. I am spending hundreds maybe even thousands of dollars and I am a student only make 12 dollars an hour. I have now gotten to the point where I am filing bankruptcy this month and I realize that this has got to change. I am willing to do what it takes and am not sure what it does take to get better. I really just want to start fresh and have a new beginning.
Hi Pinkpod, thank you so much for being here and for sharing your story. I think that you have already taken a huge step in the right direction in wanting to change your life and get a fresh new start. You should be so proud of yourself. Have you looked into individual or group therapy for gambling addiction?
Welcome to the support group. I am not holier than thou as some will attempt to interpret my messages, but I do want to say that if you take one step, Jesus will take two.
Much Love, Joy & Happiness! Happy New Year!
Thanks for replying to my posts. I am looking to start going to GA meetings and I am in individual therapy but I have yet to bring up the gambling addiction. I just want to start one step at a time.
Good for you Pinkpod! Taking it one step at a time is the way to go and you are on such a great new path. I know that this is a new year and a new beginning for you. Don't look back, but ahead to a brilliant future. I'm so happy for you! Please keep sharing with us.
Pinkpod,
You are feeling the "fallout" of your addiction, as we all have. My heart goes out to you for your hardships and pain.
As odd as it may sound, You are lucky that you are dealing with your addiction NOW, as opposed to many of us who are in our 50's when we finally decide to seek help. Older folks lose their homes, retirement pensions,and the respect of those we have loved for a lifetime.
With a successful recovery and some time to clean up the mess, you WILL recover financially, and you will live a long life proud of what you have overcome. Tell your therapist about the gambling!! You'll find that most gamblers also have other addictions---as I am...I'm an alcoholic too! Your guilt WILL turn into pride....one day at a time...
LEARN ALL YOU CAN about this disorder, and you'll see how easily you became another victim...just like the rest of us. Pray for strength and courage many times each day.
Octeach
I’m not much for the use of computers but I need to do something as my gambling is taking over my every thought as well as my money. I have been sober for about 16 years and talk about cross addictions. thanks
Thanks guys, I slipped up today, but am not going to let it keep me down.
this is my first time chatting as well, i am about to file for bankruptcy myself because it had gotten out of control, i have borrowed so much money and have taken out so many loans that i cannot fuction right anymore, i am suppose to get married this july and if i don't get help soon, i might lose my fiance.
Hi Scratchoffqueen, thank you so much for being here with us. I think that you've taken a huge step in the right direction by being here, now it's about taking the next right steps in order to get you to where you need to be financially. May I ask specifically what caused you to get out of control? And, have you ever sought therapy or treatment?
Scratchoffqueen,
Get mad at your addiction! Don't let it take away your fiance too. We honestly know how you feel. I did scratchies too...they are everywhere you look! I would ask the clerk to show me the latest sheet with the remaining winning tickets...then,I'd buy those...and lose again!
You've taken the first step of recovery by posting.Reading all the posts and other related problem-gaming links will show you that it IS a disease. We have to treat it..
Keep fighting this addiction--one hour at a time.
Scratchoffqueen,
Make sure you are totally honest with your fiancee because going into a marriage with the lies of Gambling will only sign its (marriage's) death warrant. God Bless!
I totally agree with Andrew!
I also suffer from the guilt. I promised to set money aside for my daughter's upcoming wedding and have put it into a **** slot machine. I will walk with you as I now plan to live each day with "no regrets". This means that I have let go of all the old guilt and I am embarking on a new beginning that is free from the bright lights and sounds of money promises that never come to be.
I am new to this site.....and I know that I have a problem with slots....always lose even when I win......the winning is bad it makes you keep going to win again. I have to stop. I hate the feeling.
i know where you are coming from. I am a 20 year gambling addict who started with sports betting then blackjack then video poker, and finally to slots. The last time I bet on anything was January 15th (46 days ago). Since then I have joined a new church, started paying off bills, and repairing my marriage. I still have my struggles but having been trying to stay away from the places where I have lost the most amount of money and definitely the casino. I still look at lottery results but do not have to urge to waste my money. Sometimes when I used to play the slots I would win then celebrate by drinking a couple of beers then blow everything (I have done this 100 times). I think finally, I hit a really low point where physically and psychologically I became burned out. I wish it had come 10 years earlier but then I would not be married to my wonderful wife. Stop now and try to write your memoirs about the failures and successes with gambling. You will realize all the problems gambling has caused. God Bless and remember…there is no such thing as luck.
Thanks Andrew41. I definitely relate with the burned out feeling. I think that is what really caused me to start dealing with this problem.
Count your daily blessings…I am completing Day 52 of sobriety and look forward to tomorrow. Bless You!
52 days is awesome!!! Keep up the good work and remember that we are here to help if we can.
Hey, thanks for sharing pinkpod. You do whatever it takes to get control. Believe me, you do not want to be my age and have to deal with a problem like what we have. I cannot begin to tell you how many older people I’ve met that either lost all they had or are in the process of losing all they now have. If you can get control now you won’t have to go through the complete and utter devastation of so much negative stuff. Can you imagine losing your home, and its contents, your car, your spouse, your pets, and over a million and a half dollars? I still have trouble believing that actually did happen to my good friend/business partner. He now cleans a bank 3rd shift, living with his daughter, still gambling what little he makes. pinkpod, this can and will take you down a road you do not want to be on. I so hope I’m not being over bearing or sounding too harsh. You’ve had such powerful and excellent responses to your post. I’m new to this and if I don’t get the kind of responses you did, I think I’ll read yours every day for inspiration.
I’m fortunate in that I have a hobby that not only gobbles up more time than I care to admit, but it also pays. I’ve bought and sold antiques for 26 years and throughout the years this has helped so much in keeping me away from the gambling. If you have any other interests, develop them. I don’t care what it is, take it to a new level, exploit the heck out it. Let that gobble up your time. Well ok I’m going to shut up now and with that said, remember that it’s one day at a time and I wish you a lifetime of addiction free days void of conflict and stress. OLD GUY