[stormpsych]

I suffer from pathological gambling. I have 60 days without placing a bet. I tried to become a professional poker player, like you see of TV. That did not work. I am many thousands of dollars in debt. I live on a small fixed income and have no way to pay off all the loans I took out. The Gamblers Anonymous 12 step program in my town is helpfull but it is small - not even one meeting a day. I qualify for Alcoholics Anonymous and have been using that program to help fill all the time I used to spend at the local casino. I played no lmit texas holdem every night for almost a year, winning and losing many thousands of dollars.

I wish to get in touch with others in recovery from this problem here. Thank you.

Storm King
Redding, CA

P.S. I used to present at the APA with John Grohol in the mid 90's- I am very pleased he kept this fourm alive all these years.

[ringo22]

Hey man I can relate with you because I am currently in dire need to be set free from this destructive behavior. So I am brand new here. I am not really sure how navigate this sight yet. Praise God for 60 days.

[pharmgal89]

Hello, I had, as in past tense 60 days and then went out. I see it as self-destructive behavior and I don't know why I want to do this to myself when there is enough that happens to me that is out of my control.

[bothfeet]

Hello iam a pathalogical Gambler .
I cant do recovery cause nothing left to recover from.
I gambled everything,if you ask me am I a gambler i will say no iam not a gambler.
Never gamble on anything im very rigid,and dont handle change well at all,stick to what i know taking a chance is scary to me.
What i did do was self medicate myself for years,just to bad i found comfort and hope in gambling.
I came to rely on gambling for everything,my comfort,my escape,my happiness,my friend,it was a place i went to be me.So harmless!
In a casino im Alive ,stress free ,in another world,not a mom ,not a wife,not in pain,not a caregiver.
But then one day Addiciton started comming with me.
And well needless to say like all addictions it destoyed me in the end.
I dont have the courage to come back ,the hole i gambled myself into has no end insight
i cannot even see the bottom yet ,to even start to think about even wanting to climb out.
Its dark and its deep.
Gambling will take me in the end ,maybe not from future gambling as i have almost stopped ,phsyically and mentally it no longer is a strong enough medication for me.
Reality is struggling to come back i see little bits of it.
But i have disassociated myself with reality for so long to protect myself ,that i think i prefer that dark hole instead ,feel safer there.
And today will be no different ,i do not now where or how to sart to come back it is way to overwhelming.
But i know what the face of addiction looks like now.
Working everyday to be gamble free.

[jessiewilliams]

Well, gambling is no joke, as it's estimated to cost the country as billions of dollars per year.A lot of states have passed laws recently permitting a greater amount of lawful gambling, or rather permitting more casinos, bingo halls and slots in numerous areas. It does bring in more tax revenue and gambling, like any activity, is harmless when done for fun and in moderation. However, the darker side is people locked in a gambling addiction, which takes a heavy toll on both sufferers and the country as a whole. They might need some quick cash to pay for their debt and other expenses.