Question from New Member

[momto7]

My friend Jackie suggested I come here as I am trying to overcome an addiction..it's not alcohol though, it's gambling...can I still participate here???

Michelle

[SunnyGirl]

( ( ( ( Michelle ) ) ) )

Your friend Jackie was correct in sending you here.....
Essence of Recovery is open to all of the 12 step
groups.

I am a memember of Al-Anon/Nar-Anon/ACOA ......
I have many different addictions in my family and
my husband is addicted to gambling. We don't
have a special section for GA but you are more than
welcome to join us in any of the forums. If there
are other members interrested in starting a support
group for friends and family of GA, we can look into
a special section for it on the message boards.

As I work the steps, I subsitute the name of the
addiction accordingly...... I hope you will find yourself
a new home here at EOR, and feel free to join us for
our online meetings (check the meeting schedule).

Your new friend in recovery, Sunnygirl

P.S. By the way, I live in Vegas

[momto7]

I also live in Vegas!!! And thank you for allowing me to feel so welcome and allowed here....I just hate the way I am feeling today....and want to overcome the gambling addiction....I have to for no one else but me!!!!

Michelle

[SunnyGirl]

You have one new friend already, so you are not
alone. Do you attend GA meetings? My husband
does not admit to having a problem, although he
has gambled away sooooooo much money.

12-step recovery does work, I am a miracle in
progress......

When you get sick and tired of feeling sick and tired,
check out a meeting.

Gambling makes you soul sick, just like any other
addiction...... There is help and hope, you've just
been looking in the wrong places.

Hugs, SG

[SaraLee]

Welcome Michelle, glad you came and hope you stay. Join in the discussions here and we will listen and join in as well. Come to the chat room or attend a meeting, you are welcome to join in.

I am in the Al Anon and ACOA, qualify as a friend and family member of one who used drugs and gambles too. Many here understand what you are going through, as we have been there too or continue to witness what addiction does to hearts and souls. Addiction has different names, but at the heart of all addictions lives the same fear and dispair. But there is hope. Keep coming here and post.
SaraLee

[majestyjo]

Gamblers Anonymous

www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/node/1

The 12 Steps

www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/content/recovery-program

20 QUESTIONS

Are you a compulsive gambler?

Answer all 20 questions below and view our comments based on your answers.
1. Did you ever lose time from work or school due to gambling? Yes No
2. Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy? Yes No
3. Did gambling affect your reputation? Yes No
4. Have you ever felt remorse after gambling? Yes No
5. Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties? Yes No
6. Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency? Yes No
7. After losing did you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses? Yes No
8. After a win did you have a strong urge to return and win more? Yes No
9. Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone? Yes No
10. Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling? Yes No
11. Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling? Yes No
12. Were you reluctant to use "gambling money" for normal expenditures? Yes No
13. Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself or your family? Yes No
14. Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned? Yes No
15. Have you ever gambled to escape worry, trouble, boredom, loneliness, grief or loss? Yes No
16. Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to finance gambling? Yes No
17. Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping? Yes No
18. Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble? Yes No
19. Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling? Yes No
20. Have you ever considered self-destruction or suicide as a result of your gambling? Yes No

[majestyjo]

The drug is but a symptom of our disease. The problem is me. Anything can become a drug if I am obsessive/compulsive about it. I had a real problem with Nevada Tickets. I had to apply the 12 Steps to that area of my life, just the same as I did for alcohol, food, and prescription pills.

I also had problems with relationshiips and work/keeping busy.

I qualify for many rooms and I try to identify, not compare.

[majestyjo]

Addiction comes in many forms. I still know I have a problem when I control my buying. Some days I don't buy and tell myself, "See, you don't have a problem.". The disease of addiction does not go away. We are granted freedom from active addiction one day at a time.