I'm an addict please help!!!?

Question

I seem to have this addictive personality, I drink and gamble. If I'm not gambling I'm drinking and vice-versa. The drinking is making me less of a person, and the gambling is making me insane. I win a lot but then I may lose, and it's not a game to me anymore and I feel like I'm addicted. Have went to AA for the drinking, but the gambling is just a big of a problem when I lose. I rolled 1600 dollars tonight and lost all of it. I was ahead 1000 dollars, now I owe about 5-600 dollars on credit. I can't stand the highs and lows anymore and want help. Has anyone out there had a similar experience and got help and treated it?

Answer 1

gambling is a real problem for many people. If you really want to quit you must make a concerted effort to resist the temptation. Diverting yourself from the gambling takes an inner strength that comes from deep down. Getting into a hobby or exercise helps. There are websites that will help. If there is a lottery in your vicinity, you can get a telephone number to a gambling hot line.
Meditation is also a way to divert your attention from gambling. When I quit it was not easy at all. I started to look at my life in accomplishments and faliures. Each time I did not succumb to the temptation to gamble or drink, I took it as an accomplishment. I would go and spend a little of the money I would have lost, or spent on alcohol, and bought a tool or book, etc. Then I would feel better and have something to work with or read and educate myself. It was not easy though. The temptation was still there and is to this day. It has gotten weaker as time goes by. The ritual excitement of gambling was the hardest when I thought about the comradery of the gambling house and the guys and gals in there. I almost felt that I was letting them down. Now I realize that they do not care if I am there or not. They go on gambling and having the same problems I used to have. There are no winners in gambling. All of them lose, if not money, time with family and friends. Try to think of things you like to do and pursue them.
Diverting is the way that worked for me along with accomplishment oriented thinking.
I do wish you good luck, not at the gambling table but in life. If you want to converse with me, go to my profile and send me email or call me. My number is in my profile.

Answer 2

The first thing I would like 2 say is that I am very proud of u 4 admitting your problem. I hate clech'es but "it is the first step 2 your recovery" It is I mean. I have dealt with certain addictions initialized by medical treatment (pain medicine). It's not easy 2 do, but it is worth it. I do not know where u live but I found some contacts that could lead u in the right direction 2 get the specific help of your individual needs. My prayers, and I wish u well. I only wish I could help u more on a personal level. But this is the best I can do. ↓
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If you are concerned that you may have a gambling problem, the toll-free national Problem Gambling Helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-522-4700.

You can also find assistance and information at the following state agencies:

Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado
http://www.problemgamblingcolorado.org
1-800-522-4700

Indiana Council On Problem Gambling
http://www.indianaproblemgambling.org
1-800-994-8448

Iowa Bets Off Site
http://www.1800betsoff.org
1-800-BETS-OFF

Mississippi Council on Problem and Compulsive Gambling
http://www.msgambler.org
1-888-777-9696

Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling
http://www.888betsoff.com
1-888-BETS-OFF

Nevada Council on Problem Gambling
http://www.nevadacouncil.org
1-800-855-4700

Answer 3

James, first off you are not powerless over your addictions. Addictions are acquired and thus can be broken. James, you have the power to get over this habitual gambling and drinking problem. Just keep your butt out of the casino and find something else to do with your time. You don't need AA or any other type of organization like that, you just have to want to stop being destructive to your wallet and liver bad enough.
James, I smoked for 9 years and quit cold turkey. I admit that I have had a couple here and there, but I'm human and I don't need them anymore. I quit because I don't want to cheat my future children out of precious years of quality time we can spend together. Just find something to replace the thrill of gambling, like sky-diving or some other adrenaline pumping activity. After all thats everything you seek isn't it?
Good luck James, I know you can do it!

Answer 4

I don't know if this will help but here goes.
I used to be addicted to shopping. I would go to the thrift store and spend any were from 1$00.00 to $150.00 a week on junk. When in return I was supposed to be paying my bills. After my husband left me that's when I relized I had a problem.

First I started winging myself from the thrift store. I would go once every two weeks and spend $50.00. I would do this for about three months.Then I would go once a month and spend $20.00. Now I go once in a blue moon and spend when I need to spend it on.

Point don't take it away from yourself all at once because if you do you will want to go back for more. You have to wing yourself away from it a little at a time. It helped me.

I know there were times I went over my limit, but I made myself put the items back. It hurt, but now I can say I am not addicted anymore.

I hope this helps.

Answer 5

James, you really need to submerse yourself in AA meetings as much as possible and get up to tell everyone your problems. You will find lots of people willing to keep you sidetracked for a while to keep you from doing any more damage to yourself. Then, find yourself a mentor. A sponsor who can help you work through these issues.

It takes a long time, and will be a lifetime temptation, but it CAN be done! But you have to want it bad enough.

Good luck and may you soon see the happiness in your life again.

Answer 6

You need professional psychiatric help that can successfully treat these disorders--but ONLY when you're ready to rise above them.

Any addiction is a life long struggle each waking day; many face and conquer them successfully, others don't do well.

Psychiatric and/or therapy, coupled with dedicated membership in AA, Gamblers Anonymous and other support groups can guide you on how to beat the addictions each day.

Answer 7

Gamblers anonymous works similar to the AA program. Check out your phone directory. The 12 steps work for just about any addiction.
First step is to admit : you have to admit that your are powerless over --- and that your life have become unmanagable. Sounds like you could use some help. Reach out and try what do you have to lose?

Answer 8

just as you have tried aa there are suport groups for gamling as well.As i dont know where you are i can not tell you exact places and names.But there are groups out there similar to aa so it is anonumous gambling groups that work in a simular manner to aa so then you will have support with this problem with ppl that know exactly how it feels.good luck mate.Also it is not uncommon for people to go through exactly what you are experiancing the really good thing is that you are aware and that you want to do something to help your self.

Answer 9

You need AA or a religion. Your adult concepts are not healthy. You are also holding false expectations for life and being depressed messes up your logic. Never lie to yourself. Now for the good side. You are young and you can recover and if you start to meditate and slow down all will be fine in a few years.

Answer 10

You do have the strength to overcome, you are coming forth for help. The AA meetings are a start, ask and find ways to contradict when that urge arises. You have to want the separation from the poisonous addiction more than the outside help can give you. Ask yourself,
" HOW BAD DO I WANT IT, HOW BAD DO I WANT FREEDOM, HOW BAD DO I WANT TO LIVE AT PEACE?"