How do I stop?

Occasionally, we experience ‘moments of clarity’.

We can clearly look at what’s going on in our lives…at what we’re doing and see the futility of it.

We know we must do something.

For most of us…these ‘moments of clarity’ do not last long….and we DON’t do anything when we have them…so the cycle continues.

In order to save ourselves…to break free…we must DECIDE that THIS IS IT.

We have two options…either continue gambling…where the pain will get worse…the shame will increase, the CONSEQUENCES will become more and more dire…and eventually we WILL have to face them….eventually we will not have the financial resources to continue…or…we will just become
tired of it all…tired of being anxious and worrying all of the time…tired of being broke...tired of the lies...tired of being tired.

Or
We can decide…right now..right this moment…that we must save ourselves…this isn’t going to go away on it’s own…this is NOT going to get better unless we DO SOMETHING.

The first thing one must do is stop gambling.

Easier said than done, I know.

In the beginning…I could not make the choice to not gamble (when I wasn’t having a moment of clarity)…soooo I had to TAKE AWAY MY CHOICE…REMOVE THE OPPORTUNITY.

It was hard..because…as much as I wanted to stop gambling…I did NOT want to stop gambling.

I didn’t really want to stop gambling at all…I wanted gambling to stop hurting me.

One needs money to gamble….figure out ways to protect yourself…if you gamble with cash, then carry a minimal amount of money with you….if you are an internet gambler…cancel credit card accounts.

Allow someone else to handle your finances for a while…until you ARE able to make good choices.

If you may be depressed, contact your doctor to determine whether or not medication should be prescribed.

Some doctors believe that some medications could assist the 'addict' in overcoming an addiction.

Consider banning yourself…install gamblock on your pc.

BUILD A SUPPORT SYSTEM.

The more people who know about our problem (I know..that’s a toughie…we are so ashamed) the safer we are.

Find other compulsive gamblers…attend a g.a. meeting…or find a group online (there are many) and TELL YOUR STORY…get it out…we have been alone with this for too long….it is so difficult to do this on our own…and people who have been through this and no longer suffer….they want to help.

Let them.

Reach out.

and then......we must change the way we Think and the way we Live......

*************************************************************************

Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending. -- Maria Robinson