I'm A Gambling, Drinking Drug Addict..

[ShadowDancer]

This is my first step to admitting I have a problem which is now compromisng people I love

I need help, jovial or serious....Its changing me...I hate what I am becoming.

EDIT..

I can curb the drinking and drugs, I can do that. Its the gambling that is getting out of hand.

[J0e Musashi]

I can't bet to save my life, but hey. Two out of three h'ain't bad.

[dvdmike]

You could make that your theme tune and play it when ever you try and bet, you may leave from embarisment

[stevie vip 99]

wow how do we respond to this!!!???

[nintastic]

Jeremy Kyle Show ?!

[MisterBubbles]

Starting here might help

http://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/

[abigsmurf]

My advice would be to replace them. Fill up your spare time with activities so that you don't get a chance to crave them.

If you feel like going onto an online casino or out to a slot palour/racing, go out to a game store and buy a game. Seems expensive but if you're anything like I was with gambling, it's a hell of a lot cheaper to spend 30 minutes looking for a game (plus when you sell it, you get a portion back). DO NOT PLAY MMOs

Don't want to game more?

Gym membership. Rather than going to a pub, go to the gym for an hour. You'll get knackered but you'll get an adrenaline rush which will make you feel top notch.

See more films at cinemas, read some books. Activities that eat up time and you can look forward to.

Replace your drinks with other luxuries that are better for you. Drink nice coffee, make yourself smoothies.

I know they say don't replace one vice with another but all of the options I gave are better for you (some would argue about gaming but meh). The worst thing you can be when suffering from addictions is bored make sure you've always got something lined up more fun or more important than the stuff causing problems.

Depending on the drug and your level of drinking, it may not be advisible to go cold turkey, if you're medically a concern from alcoholism, you'll need to get some help from a doctor, likewise if you're doing really hard drugs. Cannabis is not chemically addictive so you don't get withdrawal (however that's not to say you can't get addicted, just that it's a mental addiction).

[garrz32]

wow how do we respond to this!!!???

Ask what the firm favourite for the jump at Cheltenham tomorrow..

[Largo]

Go to see your GP (or any local doc) and ask if they will refer you to some specialists, now what said specialists are called search me (only have counseling experience myself), however extra support and help is always available - and getting it is always a good first step.

Thats what id do anyhow

[kryss]

abigsmurf gives good advice here. And the MMO-avoidance is always a good idea.

I have an obsessive personality. Whatever I do, I do to extremes unless someone keeps me in check. Hence why 6 months after getting a PSP I had 20+ games.

Point yourself elsewhere. I basically replaced beer with coffee, like abigsmurf suggested. I felt better for it, plus I enjoyed coffee more. Games like Monster Hunter are great because you can spend forever trying to get a certain set of armour or a certain weapon BUT at any time you can suspend the game.

Admitting that you have a problem is said to be the biggest step in the right direction.

You CAN get over it all.

[ShadowDancer]

You know what, within 60 minutes this thread has helped, honestly

Thank you.

[kernow]

The key is moderation.

[Kongster]

Call the Samaritans

[ninjabearhug]

The key is moderation.

Bingo.

You sound very much like me 5 years ago. It's a **** place to be, but you obviously want to change so you'll find it easier than those who deny the problems. First you need to cut your drink/drug addictions, may sound daft if gambling is your main problem, but I know from past experience that when I was drunk/stoned my gambling became worse. You lose all rationality, make stupid bets, lose money, then make even stupider bets trying to win your money back.

Personally I decided enough was enough and just went cold turkey from all 3 addictions, as well as smoking. It was hard but after 3 or 4 weeks I felt great about myself. The money I saved from no longer being hooked on my vices I put towards new games for my collection (game collecting is probably my oldest addiction), gaming really helped me get through it as it drags your mind off the addictions.

5 years on and I now drink, smoke and gamble again, difference is I'm in control now. I no longer feel the urge to have 'just one more bet' or 'one for the road'.

What kind of gambling BTW? Online gambling is easier to stop, just cancel your internet connection. Real life gambling is much harder, especially if you've had a few big wins, once you've had a huge wad of cash in your hands it's hard to turn away from.

Good luck whatever you decide to do and however you decide to do it. Just keep focused and surround yourself with people who care about you.

[mikewl]

I would seriously consider seeing some professional help, go to your gp and and explain your situation, you may be able to get some counselling which can help you work out an approach to sorting your problems and to understand why you do such things, i've done this myself and it almost acts like an intervention, the doc should have some good advice.