Hi Diamond,
I hope my story has helped you a little. I have a bunch of advice for sure. Gambling is a horrible addiction and affliction to have to deal with day in and day out. The truth is life is hard. I think we can both agree on that. Life and gambling is nearly impossible. I gambled for over 20 years and lived like that. It took mostly everything from me.
My first advise is:
1. Decide that you 100% want to quit. There can be no question.
2. Surrender to it. Know that you have lost what you have lost and that it can never be won back. It is gone and that is ok.
3. Get rid of all access to money. However you can do this your need to do it. No money, no gamble. That simple.
4. Block yourself from access to gambling (I think this is a solid step but not a guarantee. There are too many places to gamble to get banned from all of them. This sounds nice but is virtually impossible. I liken this to an alcoholic banning themselves from every establishment that sells alcohol in the world.)
5. Go to some GA meetings and check them out. They can only help. Being able to speak to people that have a similar problem is very helpful.
6. Find a life coach that you trust and start trying to figure out what the root of the problem is that made you want to gamble. Want the high of gambling. Wanted to self destruct. Wanted to win fast without working hard. What drives the beast? What has happened to you to make you this way? We all have demons/issues and need to address them in order to help have better self control. You spent a bunch of money hurting yourself – Why not spend money to help yourself.
7. Start exercising
8. Start giving time to help others
9. Start thinking about three things you are grateful for when you wake up and before you go to sleep.
10. Do trancendental meditation in the am and in the evening.
11. Start reading one book per week.
12. Start a new diet.
13. Start writing in a daily journal about how you feel. Maybe this site is good for that?
14. Trust someone and tell them about your gambling problem.
15. Try to find happiness.
