[spincera]

Hi All,
I did not realize that there is a forum here for people with compulsive gambling issues. I just wanted to provide hope to those who are struggling with this illness. Yes, that is what I call it: an illness. It plagues all different types of people and it destroys lives. The fact that you realize that you are a compulsive gambler is the first step in quitting the addiction. I am a compulsive gambler. I struggled with gambling for approximately 18 years. It destroyed my life. I did things that I was not proud of and things that were morally wrong. I won't get into the details, but it nearly took my life several times. I recognized that I was a compulsive gambler about two years before I came clean. At that time, I was not ready to let go. Then one day I realized what it was doing and had done to my family and most of all to myself. I let go and resigned myself to the addiction. I was finally done with it. I changed my mind-set. I had help though...gamblers anonymous. This program pulled me through the tough times of wanting to go back. I battled with it for months, but each month was a milestone for me and I felt a sense of accomplishment every day that I was gamble-free. I finally had something to look forward to and that was freedom. I was no longer a slave to the addiction. I learned how to heal myself through the steps. I was in the program for 1 year and that is what I needed to keep me free from the drug of gambling. I have now been clean for over 6 years, and I still look forward to the yearly milestones and have no desire to go back to that life I gave up. It is possible to let it go. You can breathe again and live life anew. It does take time to heal though. I want to give kudos to all those who have posted in this forum and those that have even taken the step of looking at what others have written. Congratulations, it is a step on the path to freedom.

I think anyone that has the courage to confront their addictions is very strong indeed. Congratulations to you spincera, for what you have overcome! Hopefully your story will inspire others, and send the message that anything can be achieved.