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    • #27985
      bodeni61
      Participant

      Hi, I am new to Gambling Therapy and feel as if I have found the right spot to be in at this point in my life.
      I am 53 years old and live in AZ. I have a patient husband of 20 years. I have 2 children and one grandchild.
      My gambling problem began about 7 years ago with online gambling until Microgamming was banned from the US. Then I started hitting the Casino which is about 2 hours from my house.My current problem now is I am addicted to scratcher tickets. I have 4 maxed out credit cards due to cash advances and 3 overdrawn bank accounts from writing bad checks.
      I buy that first ticket and I just can’t stop myself from continuing, waiting for that big pay off.
      I’ve lost the respect and trust from my family and am sick and tired of living like this.

    • #27986
      janey1
      Participant

      <

      Hello and thanks for starting a thread in the Gambling Therapy forums

      Here at Gambling Therapy we pride ourselves on being a caring and diverse online community who can help and support you with the difficulties you’re currently facing. We understand that this might be a tough time for you, particularly if you’re new to recovery, so come here as often as you need to and participate in the forums, access online groups and connect to the live advice helpline if you need one to one support. We’re in this together!

      Here on the forum you can share your experiences in a safe, supportive and accepting environment. The beauty of writing it all down is that you can take your time and you will be creating a record of your progress that you can look back on if it ever feels like you’re not moving forward. So, share as much or as little as you like but do try to stick to keeping just one thread in this forum so people know where to find you if they want to be updated on your progress or share something with you.

      And on that note….

      I’m going to hand you over to our community because I’m sure they will have some words of wisdom for you 🙂

      Take care

      The Gambling Therapy Team


      PS: Let me just remind you to take a look at our
      privacy policy and terms and conditions so you know how it all works!

    • #27987
      finding_laura
      Participant

      Welcome Bodeni to the site. This site was a life line for me when I first stopped gambling. Those first days of truly acknowledging that you have a problem and that you need help to stop are very painful. We often have that moment when the money/credit runs out and we have to face what we’ve done. So glad you have come here for support. One of the first things you can do to make it easier to stop is give up your access to cash/credit. If you don’t have money you can’t buy the tickets. Money is a trigger really. As soon as you have available money/credit, your mind will automatically want to go get tickets. No money = no gambling. Do you have access to a gamblers anonymous meeting and/or some counselling with a reputable gambling addictions counsellor? Those both helped me. There are many tools you can use to help you stop. I hope you get a chance to go back and read some of the threads or posts of other people. That may help as well. You are not alone in this addiction. It affects so many. But there is hope. _ Laura

    • #27988
      charles
      Moderator

      Hi Bodeni,

      Well done on starting a thread here.

      Laura has already given you some great advice. Reading the other threads here you will see how putting barriers in place has helped many others.

      You say you have lost the trust of your family? I had to. My family had heard all my words and promises in the past, there was no reason for them to believe me even when I knw I was really trying to stop.

      The actions that will help you stop gambling, like restricting your access to cash, getting to GA meetigns, posting here etc are the same actions that will help rebuild trust with your family. Give them reasons to think “Hey, maybe she means it this time”

      How about driving to that casino with your husband and getting self excluded? Maybe give them a ring beforehand to see if you need to take any documentation with you. If you go to do it on your own make sure you don’t take any money with you!

      Keep posting and let us know what positive steps you are taking.

    • #27989
      vera
      Participant

      Hello Bodeni and welcome to GT!
      I hear you on the “non supportive” husband saga!
      When I knew I was “in trouble” I asked my husband (begged him actually) to keep an eye on me, i.e. not to allow me out alone with money, come for walks with me or to the cinema/theatre or for meals. He didn’t listen. He didn’t hear me. He didn’t want to know. This suited me down to the ground! Now I REALLY had an excuse to gamble! I would punish him for letting me down , for not listening!
      Know what?
      I spent another six years punishing myself! I created HUGE debt, wrecked what was left of our relationship and destroyed my health!
      A CG will use every excuse to gamble
      Stop for YOU not for HIM
      Did gambling solve any of my problems?
      You BET it magnified them a thousand times!
      Keep posting!

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