So much has happened in the last five weeks. I have stopped
gambling and I am starting to relax to the point where it only
takes me fifteen minutes verses two hours to fall a sleep. I
attribute the change to the combination of the manual and the
chat room. I tried other programs and nothing seemed to work for
me. The chat room helped me realize I am not alone and that
there are people out there who also are compulsive gamblers. I
remember the first week. I woke up in the middle of the night. I
wanted to jump into my car and head down to the casino. I'm
single and no one would miss me. I then remembered I could go
online and into the chat room. I was so happy you were there to
chat. After we spoke I went back to bed and realized I made it
another day with out gambling. I don't know what I would do with
out you. The other good news is I met a girl who I can relate to
and she can relate to me. I am taking this one day at a time
too. I remember you telling me that good things would start to
happen and they are. Keith I hope we always stay in touch. I
spent a total of $39.95 for the Chat room and Manual. You were
right this is the best investment I have ever made. If you need
anything, please let me know. I will always be grateful.
Everyday when I get home
from work I look forward to going into the chat room. I
spend around ten minutes chat with people who understand how I
feel. Then I sometimes leave a message on the tag board
for my new friends so they can meet me. I tried so many
programs to stop my gambling addiction. This one has
worked for me. The last time I gambled was six months ago.
I remember the chat room was quiet and as time went on more and
more people joined. All of a sudden I was helping other
people. I couldn't believe it I have come so far in such a
short period. I know I still have some issues, but I will
work them out in time.
I met these two girls in the chat room.
I was expecting people to be gloom and doom. I expected to see hostile
people whose live was also destroyed by gambling. What I found was people
who took charge of their life and are no longer gambling by choice. Yes
there are times we're someone has just quit, they are crying on the inside not
knowing what to do and where to go. The chat room is wonderful for these
people too. You learn very quickly you are not alone and there is hope no
matter how much you lost. We have talked about everything from gambling to
our wonderful new futures. You see I have met a unique set of people are
are very talented and have a lot to offer society and all these people were
devastated when they realized they had an addiction to gambling. I stayed
and enjoy chatting with my friends. I never expected a recovery program
would cost me $19.95 a year. I lost that in five minutes when I gambled.
For the first time I feel I hit the jackpot. Check out the chat room you
won't be disappointed
I met these two girls in the chat room.
I was expecting people to be gloom and doom. I expected to see hostile
people whose live was also destroyed by gambling. What I found was people
who took charge of their life and are no longer gambling by choice. Yes
there are times we're someone has just quit, they are crying on the inside not
knowing what to do and where to go. The chat room is wonderful for these
people too. You learn very quickly you are not alone and there is hope no
matter how much you lost. We have talked about everything from gambling to
our wonderful new futures. You see I have met a unique set of people are
are very talented and have a lot to offer society and all these people were
devastated when they realized they had an addiction to gambling. I stayed
and enjoy chatting with my friends. I never expected a recovery program
would cost me $19.95 a year. I lost that in five minutes when I gambled.
For the first time I feel I hit the jackpot. Check out the chat room you
won't be disappointed
I really enjoyed the chat
room because no one had to know who I was. I could finally
get some help where I was comfortable. I went to Gamblers
Anonymous but I ran into people who I met at the casinos.
I just did not want to deal with it so I never went back.
I am so happy I found this site. I made the choice to tell
my family and friends. They already suspected I had a
problem. They all became very supportive. I go into the
chat room a couple times a week. It's there if I need it.
I found I now have my life back. I love all my new friends
in the chat room. The message board is cool too.
I would like to take the chance to thank you for setting up this
chat room – it has made a huge difference in my life. I joined
“I Stopped Gambling” last November when your chat room was not
yet up and running and even though I had the workbook/manual I
still found, I needed to “talk”.
When the chat room came online earlier this year, it literally
saved my life – I was at an all time low, having gambled away
the equivalent of $260 000 over a 3 year period. My business
was about to collapse, my personal life was a mess and quite
frankly, I was at the end.
There were 2 things which gave me the strength to carry on. The
first was my 5 year old daughter and the second, the ability to
chat to other people who were in the same situation as me.
My mom passed away May last year and I spent my time gambling
(keeping busy) so that I didn’t have to deal with my loss.
Before I knew what had happened, I was gambling non-stop –
casinos and then as it became more difficult to get a sitter,
online. This meant my home became a virtual casino and was
available as long I was able to sit in front of the computer.
My first attempt at stopping gambling was last year, when I
tried GA and although I could see the impact and success it had
with other people, I just couldn’t relate to the group. Anyway,
I managed 61 days of no gambling and then went back – I think
every time we go back the addiction actually gets stronger. That
gambling binge lasted 3 months and used up every cent I had
left.
So with credit cards maxed out, overdrafts at their limit, my
company about to collapse I decided to try again.
On Feb 3, I started my longest no gambling period of 76 days –
visiting the chat room for daily encouragement and support from
other fellow addicts. Unfortunately, I then got complacent. I
thought I could control my gambling and off I went to the casino
telling myself, “it is an easy way to get some money to pay off
debt, and I can control myself enough now to walk away with my
winnings”. Hmmm, you can guess what happened. It started the
gambling addiction again – but this time I found I was hating it
and not getting the same high I used to get.
I lost another $10 000 with no way of even being able to pay the
usual monthly bills. I ended up borrowing money from my father
but this time instead of letting it lie around in my bank
accounts I paid everything so that I couldn’t waste it.
On May 1, 2005 I started again with challenge of not gambling –
this time, so far so good - 28 days and no gambling.
Again with the help of the chat room, for the first few
difficult days, I was able to get focused again ….
The other thing I have started doing is really working on
getting rid of debt. This means I have had to commit to my
business and have become a “tightwadder” of note. Talk about a
turn around.
By having something constructive to focus on i.e. getting the
debt down and thinking twice, thrice about spending even $10 has
helped me put my addiction in perspective and see what a waste
of money it is. Also, not being able to access money has helped
tremendously – as I get money in I pay off debt. My bank
account runs pretty near to zero, but everything is paid and the
temptation is removed.
So to the person who is reading this and finds themselves at the
lowest point in their lives, all you need to know is that you
are not alone and that even one successful day with no gambling
is a great step forward.
As the no gambling days started adding up, I found “myself”
again, my hope, renewed optimism and energy.
Gambling not only steals our money it also steals the very
essence of our being.
Be strong
Fellow Addictive Gambler
