[needhelpnj]

I am a compulsive gambler who has just hit rock bottom. I have just told 3 people who know me well and are shocked at the extent of my gambling. I am telling my husband some time today how far we are in debt and the trouble I am in. He knows I have a problem but never discusses it. I cannot say how humiliated I am. I am seeking help, saw a doc on Friday and am making an appt with a psychiatrist asap. I know I will get no emotional support from my husband.

[needhelpnj]

Been a couple of weeks since I visited here. Almost a month without hitting the casino. It's so hard, I wish I could give you some advice, but the urge is strong. I got some support from 2 people in the beginning but I think I'm on my own now. Now I find out I'm losing my job in March of 2014, don't know what I'm going to do then. I may end up losing everything.

[pharmgal89]

I am a compulsive gambler. I finally found the right therapist. She deals with addiction. I have been lying to my husband about my gambling. I have not gone to the casino since my appointment. I feel so much better. I have enough stress in my life and gambling was ADDING to it, not relieving it as I made myself believe it did. I pray everyone finds the right solution.

[rxtweeter]

I have been struggling gambling for 18 years. It is beyond depressing to face reality and let go of my money dreams. I was so convinced I was going to change my life and all it would take is a big win. Well I am still in the poor house after 18 years. I have messed up so many times. I thought I was done screwing up and once again I blew it all on scratch offs this time. I don't beat myself up at all about it though. If I won I would be on cloud nine. Lose or win I am still me. I am thinking about treatment lately. Man it sucks to let go of my dreams and face reality. Reality is boring. Meetings are boring. I so want to be a millionaire but I guess life wants me to learn to be grateful for what I have. That is all I can think of why I have not been blessed like some people.

[lotusflorida]

Hi. I'm a compulsive gambler and I am tired of robbing peter to pay paul and living in such distress over financial worries that I finally had to admit to myself, "you are sick!" My daughter is taking me to the casino today so I can ban myself and now I have to sit over an excel spreadsheet for hours figuring out how I'm going to make my finances work over the next couple of months until I can get back on track (I've been doing this for two years). I'm sick with self-disgust, self-loathing, hiding, payday loans, etc. I gambled away our new roof money, money to pay off credit card debt, used student loan money...it's just awful. Sure I've "won" a couple of times but I've lost thousands upon thousands of dollars feeding this sick addiction for a few hours of thrill seeking. All the pit bosses know my name and one has even said he's worried about me. I've made "friendships" with other addicts and it's all just such a crappy way of life and I wouldn't wish this suffering on anyone.

[love psych]

When I'm upset, I get addicted to tv and internet its like brainwashers. It helps me a lot forgetting bad things happened and I feel like in a different world. People around me and circumstances usually make me feel upset so I must admit I'm addict.

[Homeira]

Remember that the gambling industry operates on the same premises than the drug industry. The main purpose is to create addiction and cash on it.

[Pia77]

Oh this is interesting... When I'm happy my interest in TV (and watching TV with the iPad) lessens - but I get addicted to running, the actual running, learning about it etc. other sports. That's considered healthier I guess, but it's not good to obsess about anything. But on topic when I hit a bad patch in life my day becomes having a season of something to watch or a run of catch up TV...I get twitchy if I don't have something to watch that just takes my thoughts away. I also go from drinking too much, to not at all.

The last guy I got involved with told me at one point he needed to gold cold turkey on 'screens' he was watching films, Internet dating, social media, messaging apps (did my head in, having a drink and he HAD to respond to a message on some platform) and online gambling constantly...he'd even made his income from sub letting his spare rooms and gambling after quitting another by most standards very decent job. I'm on here initially to sort my adult issues of an alcoholic mother out - but reading around...this interests me...

Are most of these modern curses? I see alcohol, drug and gambling addiction running thru the past... Are TV and online just new escapisms? In which case - why do we get addicted to anything that normal life can't fulfil? Actually as an aside, I see women get totally obsessive about shoes and nail varnish... Proper emotionally, addicted so, to the extent I'd question their behaviour if it was booze or drugs in place of shoes or varnish. I maybe think some religion is addictive and always has been, is the addiction an answer we seek to a void we have on a very deep level? Beyond family and connections?

Sorry maybe deep, this place and your posts has me thinking.

[Dukegrace]

Originally Posted by CuriousLady

I have also been a compulsive gambler for years. It takes a ton of inner strength and determination to finally quit this horrible addiction. The key is that you have to WANT to quit. And I mean ANY form of gambling. This means NO free play, NO purchasing lottery tickets, NO going to casinos, not even to dine at their restaurants, no matter how cheap their prices are. You have to start by first admitting that you're a compulsive gambler, then admitting that you've probably hurt many people in your life, including family members and friends. Then you will need to deal with the repercussions from being absent from so many family events and milestones. Then it's the guilt...and you WILL feel guilty!!! Trust me, I got SO tired of feeling crappy after I lost all of my money. It's a horrible feeling to lose everything you own...and I mean everything!! If this is even remotely what you're going through, then please feel free to discusss! I am by no means an expert, as I've only been gamble-free for the past 8 months. But I can help you get back on track if you really want to quit. It's entirely up to you!!

How are you now? I am trying to stop but need support 😕

[xaba]

Hi - it's my first time in this forum.

I have a gambling and alcohol abuse problem. I want to go to rehab but they only treat Alcohol and drug abuse.

What should I do?