- This topic has 4 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 10 months ago by vera.
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2 January 2015 at 1:05 am #27985bodeni61Participant
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. -
2 January 2015 at 9:49 am #27986janey1Participant
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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 youre currently facing. We understand that this might be a tough time for you, particularly if youre 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. Were 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 youre 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….
Im going to hand you over to our community because Im 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!
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2 January 2015 at 12:33 pm #27987finding_lauraParticipant
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
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2 January 2015 at 7:24 pm #27988charlesModerator
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.
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2 January 2015 at 11:02 pm #27989veraParticipant
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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