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HI SM
Isn’t it great to wake up from a gambling dream and realize you never have to do that again ?
redsJust for today, I will not gamble away my time, freedom or peace of mind.dear Cat –
Glad you are back here and learning from your slips. I had 2 slips last year but I did learn from them – the last slip taught me that when it comes to gambling I cannot win – any money I win goes back to the casino so I feel it is insanity for me to even try.
You are making great progress, remember when you get the next urge that you didn’t even enjoy the last slip. Wishing you a Happy New Year.
reds
Just for today, I will not gamble away my time, freedom or peace of mind.hi (( Bettie )) –
Just popping by to wish you a Happy New Year – filled with positive energy and all the good things we deserve !! Thanks for being part of my recovery, x
redsJust for today, I will not gamble away my time, freedom or peace of mind.Happy New Year Hope –
I for one appreciate your posts because at one time I thought you were leaving this site forever. You gave us a good scare but without any reservations I am so glad you are back..
You have played a part in my recovery and I hope to hear from you for many years to come . x
reds.Just for today, I will not gamble away my time, freedom or peace of mind.It is good to read your thoughts on, and of having, a strong mindset. one of my strongest tools is what I refer to ofter as a mental ban on gambling. This works for me better that a self-ban at different locations, bans that the casinos let you break, as long as it is to their advantage, and bans that some spend to much time and energy on getting past, resources that could be of better use in working on recovery. Staying and thinking positive is the backbone of a successful program.
Hi Larry – and Happy New Year to you –
I wanted to throw in a few thoughts on what you posted to another member. A formal ban at a casino can be a way of reinforcing a mental ban. I take my ban very seriously, unlike others who look for ways around theirs. I’m here to enjoy a better life, to make better choices, not to play games. I have always been a very honest person, honest to the point of stupidity at times. And when I sign my name to that document, I will keep to my word. What the casino does or doesn’t do is up to them and no concern of mine. I have mentally drawn a line that includes any casino and adjacent parking lots and will not step into that ring of fire. To me it is a taboo as strong as any. Another thing is that the contract states " I acknowledge I may have a gambling problem ". When I sign my name to that, there is no option to minimize or deny any longer.
My mother wanted me to accompany her to Laughlin Nevada this winter so she could spend a few days with her slot machines and before I was a CG that might have been an option. But to walk through a casino vioates my mental ban, even tho Nevada is way out of my legal jurisdiction.
Here in Alberta one ban covers the entire province, a province bigger than the state of California, and is administered by the provincial government. it is a much better system than the piecemeal approach taken elsewhere. Treatment options available here are excellent and readily available at very low cost, even free for those who have no money. The goverment here has recently undertaken a campaign urging adults not to buy scratch tickets for minors and not to encourage children to gamble. Very positive things indeed.
Wishing you a Happy New Year of recovery.
redsJust for today, I will not gamble away my time, freedom or peace of mind.Hi Bettie –
Wow, congrats. I remember when I found out I was gonna be a gramma – my head was whirling. It is a lot to take in but you will be an awesome Nana.Hi Bettie –
You post that you are in danger and you know it – the fact your ban has expired, and you seem very low in spirits.
If I was there I would accompany you to that casino, and then take you out for a nice dinner to celebrate that you did something good for yourself. In the frame of mind you are now in, don’t approach that casino with any cash, credit or debit cards in hand. Is there a sponsor or friend from GA who could accompany you ?
I know you are having thoughts of smoking, but I don’t think you really want to go there, who wants to go thru the hell of quitting again ? Not me.
When winter closes in, my spirits take a nose dive too. Exercise and fresh air could help, but its so icy outside I can’t walk, is there snow/ice on the ground where you are ?
You also post that you feel you are different from the rest of the world – really ? because when I read your post, it feels like I wrote it. We are so alike, Bettie, from the late onset of gambling to the eating, to the feeling of isolation. I also feel that, if people reallly knew me, they wouldn’t like me. This disease we have seems to prey on people who feel isolated. Not anymore ! We have each other to lean on. Stay strong and let us know how you are doing.
redsGambling is not an option.Dear Bettie –
I too will be thinking about you and praying for you.
I quit smoking 23 years ago when my son was in the pediatric ward of the hospital. Since he was only 3 I had to stay with him all the time – he was terrified of nurses and needles. ( Sorry, Vera ). Suddeny I glanced at the clock and realized I had been 24 hours without a smoke, can’t smoke in hospitals, you know. On the way out of the hospital later that day I threw the smokes in their trash can. I had tried before to quit at least 30 times. Pick a start date and go for it. Cold turkey worked for me. I am so ashamed I had been smoking with my babies in my home. You can do this, even though it is a super stressful tme for you.. take care x
redsGambling is not an option.Hi Kathryn –
Your holiday in Sydney sounds great – you deserve a break and I’m gad you had fun.
We just got a 100 dollar gift certificate in the mail from our real estate agent for a local store – retail therapy will do me a world of good and with " free " money, even better !! I’m grinning ear to ear.
Have a great gamble free day
redsGambling is not an option.Hi Bettie –
WTG on one yeargamble free – I’ so happy for you – you have come so far .
Your story has inspired me – you’ll notice my signature says gambling is not an option – something you have said, I hope you don’t mind me using it !!
RedsGambling is not an option.Hi Bettie –
Good to see you in Community group tonite.
I have not handed control of my money over to anyone else, because for me it is not necessary. I never found that having money was a trigger. When I quit smoking 23 years ago, I didn’t hand my money over to anyone then either !! For me, handling money is a normal part of life. I think we can be successful even without handing over our cash.
Money is not the problem, gambling is, that is why I took the step of banning. I still remember how good it felt to turn my back on that casino and walk away without placing a bet. I felt like a winner for the first time in a long time.
I still have the occasional gambling dream and am always profoundly grateful when I wake up and realize I never have to do that again.
I wonder if those casino ads trigger the dreams ?The casino advertisements on TV are new here, and I laugh at them too – all those beautiful people having such an exciting time at the casino. And then I come here and the newcomers keep coming with their tales of misery. I guess if I want reality, I should turn off the TV, eh ?
Take care xxx
Reds.Think of barriers as birthcontrol, the thought of a little one is wonderful but the reality? I for one couldn’t do without the sleep!
Hi Bettie – just had to tell you, when I read this I just howled with laughter, thanks for all your posts, you have such a way with words.
Take care…
Reds