Hi Lily
Well done going to the counselling; I’m sorry that she compared a gambling problem to smoking addiction – you will never hear such a comparison on this site.
I suspect you booked another session because you gained ‘something’ from being physically in the same room as the counsellor and it was one to one but only you can decide if you want to continue. I saw a counsellor many years ago and described addictive gambling in a family member but she didn’t join up the dots and I left feeling worse than I went in. Maybe you could educate her if you go again!
I think it is great that your husband is willing and able to support you and I hope your best friend is equally as supportive. I don’t think it is necessary for someone else to own an addiction for them to be a good support but I do think it helps if they are open to listening. We are all different and sometimes we made wrong calls about who we confide in but a true friend can be an amazing support.
I believe that grabbing all the support that is available is the best way forward; your counsellor has given you ‘something’ and if you add that to all the other things you are doing, you will put together a strong base for your gamble-free life. Even unhelpful comments can sometimes benefit you in that they can teach you what ‘you’ don’t find helpful making your path easier by clearing the unnecessary debris out of the way – for instance, if you didn’t know before, you know now, that the addiction to smoking and the addiction to gamble are not comparable.
Well done going to the meeting. I wish you well.
Velvet
