ginadv

Where do I begin

Posted on 07/13/08, 12:45 pm

Hi My name is Gina and I am a compulsive gambler. I have had a gambling addiction since 1994. As of today it is much worse . Today i am going to start working on the 12 steps I believe this is the only way that I can put my addiction where it belongs in the back of me and not in the front of me. I messed up real big yesterday I spent over 1700.00 of my hard earned money. I have nothing left. I have bad credit and I need to take baby steps in order to be able to stop. I have always admitted to Step 1 as of Today I will be on Step 2 , I probably should have done step 2 a while ago and I would have been better off but I can not beat my self up any longer . Today I am practicing Step 2. I am going to ask Lord Jesus for some help because I can not do this on my own. I have tried and it does not work. If any would like to add me as their friend please do I can use a lot of help.
Thanks
Gina

• Reply #1 07/13/08  12:53pm
  
  JO3159
  I too have now admitted to step one as of today. I am so powerless to stop this addiction on my own. I have gambled for 10 years and in the last year I have lost total control. I owe so much and I have decided to look at that problem one day at a time. I cannot solve it all at once.
  I know I need to change my lifestyle and we can all do it together. I'm tired of paying some the casino workers salaries. They want us there to take our money. If you win they are just so nice because they want you to come back and give back all your winnings and more. I hope this site and other help can give us back our lives.
• Reply #2 07/14/08  12:30am
  
  sadmouse
  I'm here. I understand. I know. I have just admitted to my problem. It only started in the past year, but it has already gone too far. I may be going to jail. I'm not angry at the casinos, i focus all of my anger and hatred at myself. I allowed this to happen. I don't know any of the steps. Will you help?
• Reply #3 07/14/08  6:48pm
  
  JO3159
  Oh I hope you don't go to jail.. What probably started out as fun has turned into a horrible addiction. I am trying to take it one day at a time. I need help and guidance to get me through. I come home to an empty house and someone suggested I get a dog. I always had a dog up until 5 years ago and I thought it was great to have the freedom of not having to come home and take of a dog. I was so wrong. I need to have something else besides the casinos. So I might just get a dog. It may help with all the stress.
  I don't really know any of the steps but I am hear to chat whenever you like..
• Reply #4 07/16/08  10:56am
  
  Moyer
  Hello ginadv :) Good question "Where do I begin?"... As far as the 12 Steps go, I began at the beginning. I'm flinging myself into working the 12 Steps because I do believe they are a road map on my recovery journey. I don't want to rush through the steps; however, I do want to join in on all the step discussions that I can. The Serenity Prayer has been such a positive force in my recovery that I feel it's almost a part of the 12 Steps :) Step one - I never, ever, want to forget that I am powerless over my gambling and how exactly unmanageable my life had become. That's Step #1 - I'll be on that step for the rest of my life, and grateful for that. 12 Steps to a healthier way of life...I want that.
• Reply #5 07/16/08  12:34pm
  
  Kimbers
  Hi Gina,
  I feel your pain, I remember well when I started on the road of recovery.
  I prayed and prayed to God (My Higher Power) There was just one thing I forgot and that was TO BELIEVE. " Came to BELIEVE that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to a normal way of thinking and living"I have been in recovery for over three years and I still at times have to go back to step 2 and 3. To remind myself to Keep believing, and letting God have control and guide me. "Where do I begin?" You have already begun. I put all the energy I used to gamble into energy to stop. I thought to myself I could come up with major plans to go gamble, so surely I could come up with one to stop, So I did. I said the Serenity prayer all day long. At times I stayed just in the second, then a moment until I could do it a day at a time. I never moved further than one day at a time. I can not change the past. I cannot foresee tomorrow BUT I sure can make today count. Put you first and the rest will follow.
  Prayers and hugs of support from me to you.
  Kimber
• Reply #6 07/16/08  7:49pm
  
  JO3159
  I think i have have forgotten how to believe. So many lousy things have happened that I think I needed someone to blame--so I stopped believing. I think I am wrong to feel that way. This is something I have to work on. I know I am powerless to stop this addiction on my own. With everyone's help site I feel I have some hope.
  Jo ann

A support/ discussion group for those seeking a solution to their gambling problem through working the 12 steps of recovery.