You are not so different and part of the reason that you choose gambling is because it is a solitary activity. Normal gambling is/ can be a social activity but our kind is solitary. I cant say that I have really ever spoken to anyone when I was at a casino because I am so wrapped up in the process and the high that people are just annoyances and I actually get depressed watching them. I am sorry that your husband is not a support system but I can understand how he feels too since I have been on both sides of the spectrum. My nephew is /was an opioid addict. When we first found out we all said the same thing – he has to quit. His girlfriend ended up dying and we still just insisted that he had to quit. We had no idea of the depth of his addiction or the struggle to get clean. We just thought that he had to try harder to quit and that was that. It was like that when the realization of what he was hit us, it was his cue to quit and that was that. People can be a source of support but they can also be a reminder that we are not who we want to be. People can be the source of trauma if you were not treated well as a child, or alienation if you’ve been hurt. It’s not necessary to want to be around others but is necessary to be in their company from time to.time. I work with others 7 days a week and am quite social while there, but dont ask me to go out or visit once i am done. I barely answer my front door if someone knocks. Its who you are and feel fine with that. Gambling does enough to our self love so give yourself some room to heal from this and see where you are when you feel that you have more control. You might feel fine with the way things are and that’s ok.
