I've Got A Gambling Problem
My online gambling addiction ruined my life. ABC Radio National. I've got regular access to my children, I'm rebuilding lost relationships, I've found some temporary work — and I haven't had. I've went up to maybe almost $20000 and I don't necessarily. Have much to show for it. I am an internal auditor and I work for a tribal casino. So it is rather ironic that I have a gambling problem at the casino.
I'm a 27 year old female from New Jersey with a gambling addiction. I've never thought of me frequenting casinos to play cards as a problem, but as time lapses, I've noticed the following (severely) wrong things that have been and continue to be a result of my 'recreational visits:'1. Bill money has been used to spend on 'getting away.' I'm seemingly behind on payments for various things on a monthly basis.
Have I Got A Gambling Problem
2. I feel severely depressed driving back home after losing all of my money.3. I've made lying a second nature with family and my boyfriend as to where I'm going or what I'm doing while at the casino(s).
4. I think of gambling at least once a day. At least.
5. My feelings toward going to the casino is to 'unwind' and 'forget my life's issues for awhile.'
It's difficult for me to say I've got an issue, but putting just some of the hangups that have originated from playing cards/slots/dice down the shore just screams 'compulsive/obsessive gambler.'
As members of this board who share the same addiction as me, I'm pleading for absolution that there's hope, that it will get better, and I'm not 'crazy' or 'pathetic.' I feel as though this is just a sickness, as is alcoholism or narcotics addiction.
Any advice and support would be extremely helpful. I'd write more, but the thought of how screwed up and out of control my issue has become is actually exhausting--I honestly don't even know where to begin without making the post 10 pages long.