Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Introduction

I am a compulsive gambler

or, more accurately,

When I gamble, I gamble compulsively.

* * *

I'm not sure who I'm writing this for....me, I think...but....if anything here is helpful to anyone at all out there...then I'm happy to have decided to journal on the world wide web rather than a notebook or a file on my pc :)

* * *

I plan to record many of my thoughts on gambling addiction and recovery.

These are simply my thoughts.....my opinions.

My thoughts are based upon my experience and research that I have done as well as discussions with many other compulsive gamblers.

I don't claim to know it all...what I will record here is simply what I believe to be true at any given time...of course, that's always changing....just when I think I've got 'it'....'it' changes :)

* * *

Just in case someone ever DOES read this...if you have a gambling problem....if you have tried to stop and have been unable...if gambling is hurting you and you do not know what to do or where to turn....

You are not alone.
You are not stupid.
You are not weak.
You are not bad.
There is hope.
Most importantly, you are not alone.

There are many online resources available...forums, chatrooms, hotlines

google for them --reach out find others like yourself

there is a way out of this.

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If you always think the way you have always thought
you will always feel how you always felt
And if you always feel how you always felt
Then you will always do what you have always done
If you always do what you have always done
Then you will always get what you have always gotten
If you always get what you always got
Then you will always think how you always thought.
If there is no change
There is no change.

-- Author Unknown

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Three cheers for this blog!!!
This is great. Keep on with this kind of inspiration and support. We all need it and you are wonderful to share it here.

Gerard

Anonymous said...

Peg,

Your blog is great and I hope every complulsive gambler who needs help finds it. Thanks for sharing your thoughtful insight and I look forward to reading daily.

Sherry from Washington State

Peg said...

Thank you ((Gerard)) and ((Sherry)) --

I remember how alone I felt...and how hopeless...knowing that there were others like me..FINDING them..was such a RELIEF.

There was a time when I was hopeless...I thought that all was lost...no way to fix things...things were too bad to repair...and now...NOW...I am so far from that place...I have peace and joy and love..and I am LIVING my life...I smile a LOT...

I'd like others to know that...no matter what...no matter WHAT...there is hope...things can be ok

we deserve our lives.
Love to you both :)
Peg

Anonymous said...

Hello Peg,

I am enjoying reading your Blog. It a very honest and open sharing of the ins and outs of Gambling Addiction.

I have shared your Blog with my online support group Getting Past Gambling - I have added it to the Links section of http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/GettingPastGambling/

Wishing you continued success in your recovery.

LindaH
Australia

HB said...

I just discovered your blog and cant wait to read it. I am going through my own recovery and only "clean" for 17 days now. Also started a blog to put some thoughts to paper. no-more-gambling.blogspot.com
Thanks for yours!