[Lizipoo]

hello my name is LIZ Im not sure f this is where I’m suppose to begin I hope it is because I’m about to pour my heart out.  I have been gambling for approximately 5 years it was fun at first especially when I won a couple of times and thought it could happen again.  Everything I  owned I have lost, or is pawned.  I do hard physical work and every last cent goes to gambling.  I absolutely HATE MYSELF!  I have often left the casino and pull down the visor look at myself in the mirror and sock myself in the face.  I’ve considered suicide many times.  I can’t remember one single time in the past year coming home from the casino happy.  I cry all the way home every single time.  It is destroying my life,  my relationship, I am losing customers and without customers there is no income.  I lie all the time to everyone to cover up my gambling addiction.  I’ve wanted to try hypnosis but of course it’s 175 dollars and that’s way to much to pay but on the other hand I have no problem spending 500 at the casino without thinking twice about it.  

I really, really hope I can get help from others like myself because I want to stop, I know it’s destroying me but I don’t know how to stop.

please help

[Monica1]

Welcome to the gt forum. It is a very helpful resource with helpful daily groups where like minded people who want to truly stop this addiction can connect.
Firstly, you have to really wAnt to stop. It is always good to stop before we hit rock rock bottom as many of us have done on the site. Coming up from rock bottom is always more difficult. You have a job and an income, that is a great start.
You must self exclude from casinos and on line if you gamble on line. Just do it. You just have to do it, it is a hard step initially but very simple.
None of us can quit without support, we really need it and this site provides a lot of peer support and facilitated groups for those making their journey into recovery. I also gambled for five and a half years but it was total destruction and I did not stop until suicide felt like a more attractive option than living. That is where this addiction brings us to, total destruction. But there is a way back and we. Have to put one step in front of the other and walk. GA can also provide a lot of help and support. Is there one near you? Do your family and friends do know that gambling has become a problem for you?
Also restricting access to funds is also helpful. Is there someone that can help,you with that?
We can conquer this addiction but once we have crossed the line into compulsive gambling we can never again gamble responsibly. Because compulsive gamblers never win. We have to accept this truth as in someone who has an allergy to peanuts knows that they can never eat peanuts again.
Keep posting. Journaling helps hugely.

[velvet]

Hello Liz 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.

As well as the forums New Members are invited to join Charles in the New Members Practical Advice Group On Mondays at 21:00 (UK) and Thursday at 19:00(UK)

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!

[charles]

Hi Liz, you have already had some good advice from Monica. None of us can do it on our own, that why we are in this mess in the first place.

You say that this is destroying your relationship. Well, no guarantees of course, the actions that will help you stop gambling are the same actions which might help rebuild trust etc with your partner. Actions like getting banned from that casino, actions like asking your partner helping with accountability and financial barriers so you can’t access gambling funds as easily. Actions like checking out your local GA meetign and continuing to post here.

Keep posting and let us know the positive actions that you are taking.

[Author]

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