I'd check this out and go to a meeting. Good luck man, def stop if not fun and having a negative impact. good luck and stay strong man
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/
have never bothered searching into GA. How do they work and do I need to provide any personal info? Also I do not want to run into someone I might know there and definitely do not want friends/family knowing I ever attended 1 of these. Can I go to 1 in another county? Also is it like AA where they shove religion down your throat?
I'd strongly suggest you visit. Call yourself bob if you like. But go. I haven't been hooked on gaming, it was something else for me, but those flashes of sobriety where you realize you are on the wrong path should be taken seriously. Don't waste it. You are being giving an opportunity to change. So take it.
Not really a time for jokes.
Stop gambling and find some help.
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/node/1
Stop gambling and find some help.
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/node/1
Man, I give you credit. It takes strength to admit and want to get help like you are doing. There's got to be some GA groups that don't shove religion down your throat. I think it would be kinda easy to tell right off the bat if they do or not. I suggest to find some phone numbers of GA meetings near you and call around. Hopefully, 1 or 2 may click for you. Good luck to you.
First admit you need a life style change. You will need to cut out things like hanging out with gambling friends, having a few beers and watching a game etc.
second, come clean with loved ones such as wife or significant others. You will need support. You will not be able to just walk away and carry on.
Third, inform your gambling ring of buddies that you need to make this change. Those that don't understand can be extremely unsupportive and coerce you to go down the wrong path.
You have to be humble about it, not secretive. Being secretive has gotten you to this point.
As as far as GA, I would think you would have the religion thing pressed on you. Everyone there has an addictive personality and many find religion as their next addiction. That and the fact that religion is often credited for their personal improvement so it feeds that vibe. I'm not saying that is a bad thing by the way.
Obviously another channel of focus is required. Maybe exercise. Lose a few pounds and tighten up a bit and draw off that momentum.
I will personally suggest picking up guitar. I have played my whole life and nothing gives me a greater high than playing to an audience. Takes a lot of practice and due diligence which is something you need.
Doesn't matter how old you are, married, kids, single etc. you need a life style change.
second, come clean with loved ones such as wife or significant others. You will need support. You will not be able to just walk away and carry on.
Third, inform your gambling ring of buddies that you need to make this change. Those that don't understand can be extremely unsupportive and coerce you to go down the wrong path.
You have to be humble about it, not secretive. Being secretive has gotten you to this point.
As as far as GA, I would think you would have the religion thing pressed on you. Everyone there has an addictive personality and many find religion as their next addiction. That and the fact that religion is often credited for their personal improvement so it feeds that vibe. I'm not saying that is a bad thing by the way.
Obviously another channel of focus is required. Maybe exercise. Lose a few pounds and tighten up a bit and draw off that momentum.
I will personally suggest picking up guitar. I have played my whole life and nothing gives me a greater high than playing to an audience. Takes a lot of practice and due diligence which is something you need.
Doesn't matter how old you are, married, kids, single etc. you need a life style change.
I've known a few people who were in the same situation as you, bases. Not just gambling, either...drugs, booze, take your pick. I've seen up close the worst of what uncontrolled addiction can do to people. And I'll offer you the best advice you could possibly hope to hear from any counselor...
I've heard every reason people gave for wanting to get cured. "I'm doing this for my kids...I'm doing this to save my marriage..." None of them worked. You ultimately have to want to make the change for yourself. Without that, any therapy or group sessions are a waste of time.
Sounds like you took a positive first step though. Keep going forward. Check out this story...you'll enjoy reading it if you haven't:
http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/9080768/true-madness-march
I've heard every reason people gave for wanting to get cured. "I'm doing this for my kids...I'm doing this to save my marriage..." None of them worked. You ultimately have to want to make the change for yourself. Without that, any therapy or group sessions are a waste of time.
Sounds like you took a positive first step though. Keep going forward. Check out this story...you'll enjoy reading it if you haven't:
http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/9080768/true-madness-march
I can only speak from experience with AA, but pretty much every 12 step group is going to be based in "God". More focused on spirituality than what I would call organized religion.
However they don't try to shove it down your throat, at least not in AA.
There are a lot of God-based premises in AA, some I agree with and a lot I don't buy. Just take what you want and leave the rest was always my philosophy.
Literally the worst thing that could happen from going to a meeting is you waste an hour of your life. It's not a high-pressure situation.
Bases, there is a ton of FREE help out there. I know this because I am going through it now...Not GA but a specific gambling counselor(which is completely FREE because I live in state). Search your state, as I can see some other posters in this thread gave you good links and info. It's good to just get out and talk with someone who understands and can voice their opinion on your situation. Just talking with someone will give you more confidence to not gamble or limit yourself...Then once the ball starts rolling you will take it on yourself to better yourself. As others stated, GA is based around god and that's really not my cup of tea so I went with a specialized gambling counselor that was once in our shoes of having a big problem now he's helping people so he gets it.
PM me if you want to talk or need to know more
PM me if you want to talk or need to know more
