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I am in America and trying to find help. Here, all recovery in patient treatment (gambling, drugs, alcohol, etc.) is put together with gambling being the new one. While I understand the similarities, I would like to find a place with a proven program for gambling recovery. The closest GA meeting is about half an hour away and only on M night when I teach. The online groups that I have tried to join have been connected to a treatment center (so I cannot join) or have wanted me to pay to join. I am going to a counselor who is trying to help.
I am scared. No one knows how much money I have gambled away, thousands in the last few weeks. For me, it is playing slots at casinos. The majority of my life, I did not gamble. However, once my mother had a stroke and the man that I was seeing died from prostrate cancer, I found that playing was a great escape. I didn’t have to think about anything. I would see people playing high dollar games and wonder how they could do that. Now, I know.
I don’t know who I am now. I have always been a teacher and drew value from doing that well. Now, all of that energy is going to hours in front of machines. I will play so long that I am physically ill when I leave. Of course, I win on occasion, but I will play it back until I have nothing. The next day, I will have what I call a gambling hangover even though I do not drink alcohol. I will have flashes of driving into a tree of pole, but I have not acted on it. I have a son who is in college. I don’t want to do that to him. He has started to gamble socially with friends, so I have to stop for his sake. (easy to write, not easy to do)
My resources here are limited, but the casinos are everywhere. I live in Oklahoma, so tribal casinos are taking over the state. While I realize that you may not know of resources in the states, I appreciate being able to write this. Thank you for having this forum.
Rachel
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Hello and thanks for starting a thread in the Gambling Therapy forums
Here at Gambling Therapy we pride ourselves on being a caring and diverse online community who can help and support you with the difficulties youre currently facing. We understand that this might be a tough time for you, particularly if youre new to recovery, so come here as often as you need to and participate in the forums, access online groups and connect to the live advice helpline if you need one to one support. Were in this together!
Here on the forum you can share your experiences in a safe, supportive and accepting environment. The beauty of writing it all down is that you can take your time and you will be creating a record of your progress that you can look back on if it ever feels like youre not moving forward. So, share as much or as little as you like but do try to stick to keeping just one thread in this forum so people know where to find you if they want to be updated on your progress or share something with you.
And on that note….
Im going to hand you over to our community because Im sure they will have some words of wisdom for you 🙂
Take care
The Gambling Therapy Team
PS: Let me just remind you to take a look at our
privacy policy and terms and conditions so you know how it all works!
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Hello Rachel and again welcome.
Well done on looking for help. I’m sure that reading the other threads here you will see many stories similar to your own. You will also see the sort of thing that has helped others stop gambling. Which of those things can you apply to your own situation?
Keep posting, let us know the positive steps you are taking. Hopefully see you ina group here soon as well.
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Hi Rachael!
You have no idea how glad Im to be on the forum and be able to write about my problem without being judged and looked upon low.People have such similar stories here and you get unbiassed advise.
Coming to my story although not as serious reasons as yours I only discovered in the past few days my mind takes control over me and not the other way around.
Just yesterday I was at casinos and won huge amount like 20 times I put in.I was so happy and went out for lunch and treated myself with a pedicure.I was dreaming of never coming back again as I have recovered lost money in last few days with this single win.
It is hard to believe myself although it is about myself.I went back again as I had a few more hours to spend in leisure.I was planning to get my hair done and changed my mind to head back to the casinos.This time I won half of what I won last time.That was it ….I Iost control after that and now I’m disgusted even to think I put in the last dollar I had with me at that time.
I felt miserable coming back and cried all night .I got chills and rigor and still break down at the thought of it.My husband has gone on business for few days and he will be back soon.I don’t know how to face him.I feel helpless.
I keep thinking how could this happen to me?
Thanks for reading through this.Any type of advise would be great but I know it is me who has to take action.
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