How I Got Help for my Gambling Problem -- Gamblers Anonymous

[flyorra]

i just started ga last week, and i was already one week into recovery. counselling taught me that it is up to me, and to go to ga. i think i am cured, but just want to reinforce it. it is my way of being commited and i am open to anything. it may be a social event or outing for me. the stories remind me to heed the warnings.

[gamblersanonymousguy]

@flyorra: Good job of going to G.A. You're right -- it is all up to you. I hope you'll make a commitment to yourself to keep going to G.A. meetings -- at least once per week (preferably more) -- for at least 90 days. Give yourself a chance and your life can get better. I'm six years into recovery and have not made a bet since I joined G.A. I still attend on average 2 or more meetings per week. My life keeps getting better. Don't give up! Best wishes, Mike

[anto5981]

No one wants to work 9-5. We all want easy money. Blame the media for this. So all we do is try look for the easy way. Remember the shortcut is not always the quickest way.

Man I wanna gamble so bad. Can't wait for my next pay check

[anto5981]

Gambling is in our blood. If we have access to it we will do it. When I was in USA I didn't gamble one bit as there was no where to gamble. Come back to Australia and gambling every day. What about trading stocks , I get the same buzz from that. Everything in life is a gamble,some just have worse odds than others

[ilovemesomechicken]

Im addicted to scratch offs. I get such a nice rush when i win but i usually lose or break even.

[MrAnthonyVance]

Thank you for sharing your tragic story. You fell into a deep hole but managed to get out and in doing so perhaps your your victory will prevent another victim from falling into that same hole. Stay strong! Don't give in! All you need do is remember how unhappy you were when you surrendered your free will to gambling. That will surely keep you away! Stay vigilant. The battle is never over.

[mrjules2008]

thankyou for shareing mike. i relate to this story alot and think il join GA now.

[gamblersanonymousguy]

@mrjules2008: I remember how I felt when I was caught up in the devastation of gambling. It was an awful feeling and I thought my situation was helpless. But I dug down deep within myself to reach out for help and am so grateful I did. So many amazing people in G.A. have helped me to turn my life around. I wish you the best.

[PopcornMegaphone]

Thank you for sharing your story. It's making a difference!

[gamblersanonymousguy]

@PopcornMegaphone: Glad to share my story. I've found that the 12-step program has helped me to not only stop gambling, but to reflect on other areas of my life and my character defects and to become a better person. Good luck to you.

[PopcornMegaphone]

Seriously, thank you. Keep on, keeping on.

[lauriela09]

Thank you for sharing your story, I to am a compulsive gambler now for 4 years. I hate what is doing to my spirit and life. I quit drinking in AA IN 2001 and havent had a drink since, but it took lots of meeting and counseling for 2 years to stop. I started gambling after my brother died. Started out with Bingo just to get out of house and it grew into a addiction. I also do the weekend binge and i know im in trouble. I am thinking about treatment but maybe I can do it with just meetings.

[gamblersanonymousguy]

@lauriela09: @lauriela09: Congratulations on your sobriety from drinking. Re: your gambling problem: reach out for help. Visit a G.A. meeting near you and make a commitment to yourself to regularly attend at least one meeting per week and that you won't gamble for at least 90 days no matter what. They'll give you a sponsor, a list with the phone numbers of the members in the meeting (so you can call any member, 24/7, if you have an urge to gamble), and other tools. You can do it!

[gamblersanonymousguy]

@lauriela09: Hope you're reaching out for help. G.A. has really helped me!  Five years plus without a bet!

[TheTrumpTower]

I like this video b/c this guy is clearly intelligent. I am looking forward to mailing in my self exclusion form to Horseshoe Hammond, IN. It is videos like these that have supported my desire to do this.

[HyperDetroit]

@TheTrumpTower

Believe me, there is no corelation between stupidity and addiction. There are very intelligent people who are slaves to addictions. They aren't stupid, they are very sick.

If you have a gambling problem, it does not go away on its own and it's time to ask for help. Gamblers Anonymous works for those who want help. I've been gambling-free for a little over 5 years now, a feat I never thought was even possible. With the help from GA, it very possible, one day at a time.

[gamblersanonymousguy]

@HyperDetroit

Very well put. Gambling affects people of all ages, races, income levels, education levels, etc. Addictions do not discriminate. Fortunately, neither do the tools to arrest the addicitions, particularly Gamblers Anonymous.

[TheTrumpTower]

I like this video b/c this person is clearly intelligent. It has taken me some time to find videos about this subject. Now, I like this one along with ExPokerChris and The Riback Group. I have the self exclusion form in my house now for The Horseshoe (Hammond, IN) and plan to mail it in shortly.

[grenda5]

hello again Mike, i hope you are well, since i seen this video about 10 days ago, i decided to seek help and wanted to stop gambling for good. i contacted gamblers anonomys and they sent me literature and a contact, this has been like a lifeline for me since, for me not to gamble in 10 days is a good thing.I never felt so good,the 12 steps i have read and really believe now that this is the way out of the hell that is gambling addiction. thank you again Mike!!!

[gamblersanonymousguy]

@grenda5 Good to hear that you're off to a good start. Make a sustained commitment to yourself and be patient. Slowly, you will find that your life will get better as you make meetings and work the steps. Go to meetings, introduce yourself to as many people there as possible, listen and learn, and practice the 12 steps. Keep it up!

[grenda5]

this is a great posting,and so glad i found it. what you went through i am living now and want it stopped. congrats on your 4 years and wish you a lifetime of sobriety. i am going to a meeting as soon as i can,this video has given me hope,thank you!!!

[gamblersanonymousguy]

@grenda5 Best of luck to you. Go to as many G.A. meetings per week as you can (I still go to at least 2 per week; often more), and embrace ALL of the programs tools (phone list, pressure relief meeting, sponsor, multiple meetings, suggestions on how to have someone else manage your money for you, etc.). If you embrace all of the tools and you commit to making at least one full meeting per week, then you have a chance. Best, Mike

[grenda5]

@gamblersanonymousguy this reply means so much,you took the time to write me and encourage and off tools, bless you Mike, you have given me hope. thank you!!!!

[hojiznd]

oh my god,thx,now its nearly 3 years im keep watching this video and diside to stop gambling but i cant,

i owe so many places,dont have job.

im so sick,i cant help it.

every time i try to give up it doesnt work.

plz help me,7 years is gone,maybe 200,000 pounds is gone,all my friend ,my g friend,may happeiness is gone.

now im alone ,sittin at home ,dont want work ,dont want do any thing,

i owe nearly 5000,i realy hate my self,shame on me,

[gamblersanonymousguy]

@hojiznd Don't give up. Reach out for help. Your life can get better. Best of luck to you.

[bcast122]

It seems like i am listening to myself talk. The only thing is I have not got any help yet. I need it. But thanks to you Im gonna find myself a meeting!!!!!!!!!!

[gamblersanonymousguy]

Glad my story helped. Good luck to you.

Don't give up!

Feel free to drop me a note if you have any questions.

Mike