Hi Neurolad!
I met you briefly in the Group earlier this evening but had just announced my departure as you came in.
I hear you when you say your family don’t want to understand your addiction. I guess nobody but a CG could ever “get it” . The emotions and mind tricks that a CG learns to cope with are beyond the mental scope of most “normal” people. I often felt my brain was wound like a tight spring and that the only thing that would release it was gambling! The reality is NL, that gambling will never bring release because Compulsive Gambling is a progressive disease and no matter how bad things seem today, we must realize that there is still another layer even more dangerous, underneath what we perceive to be our present disaster. I think part of our “surrender” is accepting that our nearest and dearest may not ever be able to offer help or support. This discovery can make us feel isolated to the point where we will gamble again.
Every time I isolate myself , I am at risk. For this reason CGs need to seek recovery with people who understand us and have had similar experiences. In the run up to your admission to GH, I would suggest you stay close to this site or if there is a GA meeting near you maybe you could attend. No point in giving any more time, money or energy to the gambling industry. Once we accept that gambling has us beaten, the best we can do is throw in the proverbial towel and admit our defeat.
Best wishes in recovery. Focus on your new life one day at a time. Well done on taking the first steps. These are the most difficult. Everything changes when we kiss gambling goodbye! Never lose hope!
