is gambling considered a relapse if u r a recovering alcoholic?

Question

Hi. Im a recovering alcoholic clean for nearly 6 mths, & it was my major addiction causing me to lose a lot in life. I finally cleaned myself up in a rehab & am in recovery. However, I was also addicted to gambling, but not as hardcore as in alcoholic. I dont wanna drink but sorta feel like gambling. Is it OK or is it considered as a relapse if I start gambling. Are both addictions interrelated or independent of each other?

Answer 1

You would be very well advised not to gamble.

You have already demonstrated an addictive nature and/or personality. Having undergone the recovery process for alcoholism you are probably more vulnerable to a serious gambling addiction.

I would advise you to find a hobby or a good woman (if you don't already have one) and put all of these bad addictions behind you.

Answer 2

I'm a recovering alcoholic (9 years), and in my opinion, all addictions are interrelated in that they serve the same purpose: escape from reality.

Many addicts, probably the vast majority, have multiple addictions. It's only natural, really, that when we put down one we want to increase another. In my own case, in addition to my alcoholism I have an exercise addiction. When I got sober my exercise addiction went over the top, probably for a couple of years. Eventually as I worked steps I put that one down too.

Now as to your question about whether or not this is a relapse.

Since most of us have multiple addictions and to some extent use the other behaviors when we first get clean, the question is really where we draw the line of "relapse." And different groups are all over the place. Most agree that with substance addictions, a relapse in one is a relapse in all, so if you're an alcoholic and smoke a joint, that's a relapse, or if you're a cocaine addict and take a drink, that's a relapse.

With coexisting behavioral addictions the line is much less clear. Gambling is obviously a terrible addiction in its own right but if you gamble is it a relapse from alcoholism? Nobody called my exercising 3 hours a day a relapse. Nobody says the hoards outside the meeting, smoking cigarettes, have relapsed.

So my position on this would be that it is not a relapse in AA; it is, however, picking up a new addiction. I'd keep my AA sobriety date, but I might need a new one in GA down the line.

And although you didn't ask, my suggestion would be that rather than gambling, you talk to your sponsor (if you don't have one, get one) about this and work a step or two around it. All addictions lead to the same place: hell.

Answer 3

I think you are a saint for having stayed with him. Especially since he wants to quit. He must means a lot to you so don't pay attention to others who are telling you to dump him. I guess it's much easier to abandon problems than face them. Recovering alcoholics have it really hard. It's not like drug-addicts. Alcohol can be bought anywhere, in any amount, at any time. Then there's the exposure to it. His friends can drink, people drink at parties, it's everywhere. Alcohol also forms a heavy addiction in long time drinkers. He can't beat it alone if he's in too. He just can't. Sooner or later he will relapse. Either he should go into a rehabilitation program, or go to AA. He'll be able to communicate with people specialized in alcoholism and he'll be with others in a support group. Some people don't like the group thing. He could go speak with a professional specializing in gestalt therapy. It's tough and he's been doing well for the six months like you said. That is progress. Relapses happen on the road to recovery but logical people learn from them and move on. He's probably feeling regretful (it is the m.o.) and if you up and leave him he'll most likely fall into the habit. He is on the path to recovery. He knows he has a problem. You have to help him see what he has to do. I think if you love the guy then you'll help him through it. He'll thank you.

Answer 4

1st of all, do you have a sponsor? get on that telephone or computer now and make contact!! and yes, the addictions are interrelated - you have an addictive personality disorder; be careful, because 1 thing will lead to another and you will be on a downward spiral - please be careful; 6 months of sobriety is a HUGE achievement....don't let all that time and effort go to waste. how about concentrating on developing a "new" addiction - such as a zest for life, friends, family, work? or most importantly, an addiction to TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF! i really wish you good luck with this issue (i have friends, relatives and a bf in the same boat)!!

Answer 5

There is no problem having a little flutter but can you walk away at any time, if you fancy putting a bet on something you feel yourself is a dead cert could you say to yourself, no I don't think I will bother, if you can't you may well be on the slippery slope, self discipline, find other alternatives, not worth wrecking your life over a gamble.
Ken

Answer 6

Something to do with addictive personality disorder.
Congrats on quitting, try not to substitute it with anything else but life. Gambling's not physically harmful but it can fcuk up your life quite successfully if you let it.
Good luck

Answer 7

Sounds like transference to me, just exchanging one addiction with a lesser one.

Since yourself noticed what you're doing, you should try to get help from Gamblers Anomymous at:

http://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/

And good luck trying to break free.

Answer 8

I would suggest that ANY addiction is a relapse.

Its all behavioural