Originally posted by mai
… So here goes the first day of my recovery and a "normal" life, my last gamble was on 26/08/2010 and today is my first day clear of gambling, my husband has just been paid so there is money in the bank, but I know I have the strength to do this and on the days I don’t I know there are plenty of people here to give it to me.
Good evening Mai,
We have already met in the Group Therapy Session but I will welcome you again to GT with my Gamblers Anonymous type introduction; Hi, my name is Larry and I am a compulsive gambler, my last bet was August 13, 2009.
Your story is much the same as all the others here, we have all succumbed to the overpowering addiction of compulsive gambling; we have all been through what you have been through and have hurt our loved ones – you are not alone. And while this addiction is a chronic disease that is progressive and lasts a lifetime; the good news is that combating it works, and recovery can also last a lifetime. However, it requires work and actions to not only start on the road to recovery, but to maintain living in recovery.
You have started the taking action part with your banning and you resolve to seek help to add to your own strength. Now, take another step and search for strength from a Higher Power that is in you or is available to you. I am not trying to preach to you but am letting you know that many, if not most, that are succeeding in recovery have found that the principles of GA work, they have " Came to believe that a Power greater than themselves could restore them to a normal way of thinking and living" and have "Made a decision to turn their will and lives over to the care of that Power". Use your Higher Power, use us, use all the help that you can find.
Before posting to you I read two post from other members that have gambled again, one from a new member that tried his "luck" again after a few days of being gambling free, and the other from an older member that has been struggling and decided that after months of being gambling free that he would through in the towel and try to "get it out of his system". You will find many storied similar to these in addition to the story about those who are overcoming their addictions; I can only hope that your future stories are ones of staying gambling free, even when they tell about the struggles, and not about going out and trying one last time to hit the jackpot or relieve an urge or satisfy a wild hair. The outcome of a CG trying these things is aways the same; it leads to more devastation and falling deeper into the addiction.
God’s speed. Stay strong.
Larry"Day Two Is Another Day Behind" – With the help of a Higher Power, My 3G’s – God, GA, and GT, I will continue to be gambling free.