Hi DN and welcome to GT
The line that stood out to me, in your first post, was “I want to play all the time”. I can relate to that! I learned, along the way though, that a Compulsive Gambler can only play for a certain time i.e. until the money runs out. To elaborate, A CG will ALWAYS play until the money runs out. Here comes the next line.” I want to play all the time, but I can’t handle the consequences”. Herein lies the reality of compulsive gambling, DN. We cannot have the “thrill” without the “hangover”. “Fun” and “Grief” always go hand in hand, so the question we need to answer is not “How do I stop” but “How do I cut this torture out of my life?” You have answered your own question. STOP GAMBLING!
With regard to your son, DN, I am presently going through a most horrendous situation with my son (same age as your son). If you want to know where bailing out leads, read my thread.
The reason we keep going back to the “scene of the crime” is quite clear. The human mind has a mechanism which obliterates bad memories and boosts pleasant experiences.
Gambling is an illusion, DN. Until we break through that falsehood, we will be forever a Gambling Slave.
Try to take it hour by hour. Every hour that you don’t gamble is a success. The hours turn to days . The days to weeks. The weeks to months and on it goes. Gambling wrecks lives and steals EVERYTHING from us. It is possible to reclaim your “Everything”.
One day at a time.
Stay focused!
