Lindy

Hi… you have your goals .. that’s what you need. Gambling when it becomes an addiction is so controlling… but when you have the desire to stop that’s the first step… It would be good if you had some support … perhaps Gamblers Anonymous, perhaps a trusted friend to confide in… The time you put into gambling try to use that time for…[Read more]

Somethin else you may try Scab123 is painting …You may think you don’t have any talent there just as I did…. but decided a few years ago to go and buy just some inexpensive paint and canvases etc. and try… I too watched videos and improved greatly.. so now I buy a bit more expensive paints….Serenity does this as well I do nature… like…[Read more]

Meg, I don’t live in the US so don’t know regulations there. In Canada we don’t declare unless one makes a living with it I believe.

I would just suggest that you not worry so much about telling at least someone in your family. I was so afraid my ‘grown’ children would find out and disown me totally… but life as it is, they did find out and instead of condemnation they helped me find help with my debt… ‘consolidation agency. They did all the research for me. All this to say…[Read more]

Hi… It’s good that you came hoping for some help and the realization it’s tough to quit on your own. As well as coming here perhaps it would benefit you to have someone you trust to confide in and help … Of course there’s always the Gambler’s anonymous .. In any case ‘some’ face to face support.I If you don’t have a plan… it’s not easy to…[Read more]

Hi Jimi…. Serenity’s advice stands…. exclude yourself again as many places as you play… That’s not likely going to take the desire away… so I would suggest some support… If you’re up for it Gambler’s anonymous…. if not some friend or family member to let out your issue…. someone you trust. Then I might suggest finding something to do…[Read more]

You posted over a week ago, but hope you read this anyway. You’re 35 and I am 77. I only started a couple of years ago. My husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and I started gambling online as a distraction which then became an addiction. Admitting you have a problem is a good start. Gambling pulls you in… and it’s hard sometimes to think of…[Read more]

I haven’t been too active here lately… and it’s been awhile since you posted, but just in case you check back in… I’d like to offer whatever support I can. You’re 35 and I’m 77… I didn’t start until the past couple of years. Things in life happened.. my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and I started playing online to pass time and I…[Read more]

The cycle you mention is ‘doing it’ and then ‘hating when you do’… It does help to find another source of something to do… if you’re into building…or renovations .. or ? There’s a few of us that do painting… for me self-taught through watching videos online… Truth is though it takes motivation to make yourself follow through and ‘Do…[Read more]

Well you’ve taken a first step…’wanting to quit’ and looking for how to do it. It’s really hard but talking to someone… therapist… trusted friend … someone for support .. Coming here of course you’ll hopefully get some very good advice from others… but it helps also to have a personal support factor… take care Lindy

Your question of course is one many of us ask ourselves…. If we know gambling is a problem.. ‘why oh why do we keep doing it’…. Because sometimes we rationalize and think we just enjoy it… but then the truth we really know is that we’ve lost the ability to just ‘stop’… Unfortunately that’s the only cure… as is any other addiction… Hope…[Read more]

So much of what you express is a realization those here have experienced as well… It grabs ahold of you.. and suddenly we think about how much we spend and that it really is an addiction… Hope that somehow there is someone you might confide in, someone maybe you can call or visit with that can help you when those temptations hit you… take…[Read more]

Thanks… we’ll make it!

I certainly can relate to how you’re feeling right now. It’s awful when we realize how much we’ve spent and the secrets etc etc. Start ‘today’. This addiction creeps up on us and before we know it we don’t recognize ourselves. My family found out … the people I most wanted ‘not’ to find out…. but they have only helped me.. and am trying to…[Read more]

For sure you’ll find support here… but you also need some help from someone you trust enough perhaps…family or a friend… perhaps Gambler’s anonymous… to share and get ‘hands on’ help. It’s hard to do it on your own… but you ‘definitely can’ do it…. take care Lindy

So glad that you’ve made this decision… this addiction does grab ahold of a person . By telling your girlfriend and family you’ve taken the first and best step… My family is helping me through this too… take care.. Lindy

It’s good that you’re going to meetings… you’ll find a lot of support… Unfortunately this addiction causes a lot of heartache but not everyone is addicted.. pretty well the same as alcohol… There’s more temptations now though I think because it’s advertised so many places…. take care .. Lindy

You definitely need some support… whether it’s Gambler’s anonymous, a close friend to confide in or therapist… You sound so desperate as so many hear can identify with … please try to find someone.. take care .. Lindy

Cpart.. if it’s any consolation I (and others) have felt a lot of what you’re feeling…. the crying… hating what I was doing… wishing I could just disappear… feeling isolated. For me I felt like a phony. The thought that I had to hide from what I was doing from others. ‘If they only knew’ etc etc. You said ‘addiction’s’ so possibly you’re…[Read more]