I never knew until now

[babs7262]

Babs I hope no hurt feelings but I had to share your post at WOL
Thanks
Tom

That's Ok Tom

really, I wanted to post that there and only visited a few times so I figured if I posted it here someone would end up putting in there for me. Im not going back to WOL to read any responses for two reasons. One...this isnt about me and two..I dont want to give any bashers the satisfaction of "trying" to hurt my feelings. Im here for Diane and thats whats important.

Were all good Bingo

[kauphy]

hi its me again. i have a promble with what alexishot69 is doing. yes i agree with her about staying away from anything that is connted to gambling knowing what my brother went thought he had to stay away from anything or anyone doing drugs or drinking. but i also know that luigi810 knows all she has to do is turn on her computer and she can gamble without coming to a place like this but instead she comes here and talks with people who care about her and what she is going thought to me it does,nt metter where you find help as long as you find it and if she feels like she has a family here that will not judge her but will listen and help her then who r you to say its wrong? yes you might know more about things like this then me but any of us who have went thought it ourselfs or with someone we love then we 2 know something about it. we get ur point she has heard you but feels like here is where shes needs to be and if its right for her then maybe we can support her and help her thought this. you have to hit rock bottom before you want help and it sounds to me as if she has and this is the place she has chosen to try to get thought this let her be. when it comes down to it it is her choice weather she gambles again or not. its always a choice. luigi810 we do care and we will always be here to listen if things get to tough but reamber its ur choice but reamber not only do we care but god does 2 lean on him and he will help 2 love always kathy pm if you need 2 talk

[Spikey]

Going to ga is all about finding friends to help you get through a gambling addiction.
But if Diane finds friends here that help her in preference to ga, well I think that's wonderful.
I certainly am better off for her posting here, anything that reminds me of what can happen to me is a good thing and certainly keeps me in check. It's much better to see threads like this to keep me in line than the "gamble responsible" line that the government (at least here) forces to be placed in ads which do nothing.

I suspect that she could be helping more people here than she would at other help centres, and if she's getting help here too then it's a win for everyone (except the social workers who didn't read about the getting help at casinomeister option in any text book at uni).

[Simmo!]

I just wanted to add a few comments to this thread, if nothing else just to make people aware that we're aware. For information, I've had a discussion with Luigi behind the scenes. She's an adult and perfectly capable of making her own decisions and the bottom line is she feels this thread is helping. I know some people feel that a gambling forum is not the place to hang out. Possibly not. On the other hand, you could argue that there is no better place to get help and advice than from other people who know the pain. Again, this has to be Luigi's choice based on what she sees. I don't see banning her at this stage would help based on what she has told me privately.

For what it's worth, there is no answer to the problem that works for everyone. Anyone that's been through any form of addiction, and that includes me, will probably know that what works for one person may not work for another. This thread seems to have thrown up a number of different ideas ranging from the extreme to the more obvious. But it strikes me that any ideas are worth throwing into the pot to ponder over, on the basis it may help one person, if not another.

I know someone who beat a gambling addiction by basically handing over all financial controls to a family member. Ripping up cards, closing bank accounts, the works. But it wouldn't necessarily work for others. I'm sure attending GA helps many people. But for others probably not. It depends entirely on the individual and their personal circumstances.

[Luigi810]

THANK YOU, thank you for listening and for understanding, this site works for ME, if may not be for everyone but it has changed my life for the better in just a few short days, I never dreamed I would lose the urge to play, I don't understand how quickly since I have been playing for 5 years, but right now this is where I need to be, with people who understand me, don't judge me and with people who have had there own addictions and know excatly what I'm going through. I thank you and everyone from the bottom of heart for not turning away from me. This is a new beginning for me and I wouldn't have this new beginning if it wasn't for this site and all of my great new friends.
5 days and LIVING

I just wanted to add a few comments to this thread, if nothing else just to make people aware that we're aware. For information, I've had a discussion with Luigi behind the scenes. She's an adult and perfectly capable of making her own decisions and the bottom line is she feels this thread is helping. I know some people feel that a gambling forum is not the place to hang out. Possibly not. On the other hand, you could argue that there is no better place to get help and advice than from other people who know the pain. Again, this has to be Luigi's choice based on what she sees. I don't see banning her at this stage would help based on what she has told me privately.

For what it's worth, there is no answer to the problem that works for everyone. Anyone that's been through any form of addiction, and that includes me, will probably know that what works for one person may not work for another. This thread seems to have thrown up a number of different ideas ranging from the extreme to the more obvious. But it strikes me that any ideas are worth throwing into the pot to ponder over, on the basis it may help one person, if not another.

I know someone who beat a gambling addiction by basically handing over all financial controls to a family member. Ripping up cards, closing bank accounts, the works. But it wouldn't necessarily work for others. I'm sure attending GA helps many people. But for others probably not. It depends entirely on the individual and their personal circumstances.

[mojo]

I have searched high and low for an authority site that suggests staying away from a site like CM. I cannot find one. I do see a lot of suggestions on group help but nothing specific. There are self help books you can buy endorsed by top psychologists. Since not one of us here is an authority, IMO all opinions are valued and respected, but not expert. Diane knows this. No one is misleading or suggesting anything. Merely offering open armed support.

One thing I can say is that that there are different levels of gambling addiction. The feelings you get when you reach the point of self loathing, dispair and thoughts of suicide are REAL. Should anyone ever come to anyone with this it is proper to RESPOND with care, friendship and even love immediatly!

I applaud the members here for doing what they feel is right. I don't understand the banning thing or why this has become such a hot topic. There may be onlookers who this has helped as well. Bravo Diane!

[suzecat]

THANK YOU, thank you for listening and for understanding, this site works for ME, if may not be for everyone but it has changed my life for the better in just a few short days

That's why we are kinda so fond of our little blue muppet (Simmo!)..........

[reda]

i have been following this thread and i have to say luigi810 you have spent a lot of money so i know the feelings you have must be terrible. i posted not to long ago on this forum because i felt so bad about gambling and it hit me right in the face. i wasnt spending a whole lot. a few hundred here and there . sometimes 1.000 a month. and me spending that amount just floored me and made me sick of my self. because a lot of it was on a credit card and not a prepaid . so it wasnt like extra money that i had. sure i hit a few good jackpots. but after a long dry spells with no wins it all goes right back to the casino. i was sick of giving and as you said running to the bank to make a dep because not only was i using a credit card but i used our extra money too. so then i had to use another credit card for necessities. it all builds up and you feel bad. so i and lots others here we really do know how it is. when i posted here about my gambling the response i got back really helped me. i havent quit cold turkey but i sure have cut down. i reason with myself and also find something that needs to be done and stay busy.

[Luigi810]

I am so glad to hear that you've cut down, I started off betting small but as you can see I got way out of hand, and that constant running to the bank was the worst not to mention the guilt. I actually went shopping today, I haven't done that in such a long time, although it's been only 5 days, I accomplished more in these last 5 days than I have just this year. If you ever feel the need to talk you can PM me at anytime, please don't let gambling ruin your life. GOOD LUCK TO YOU

i have been following this thread and i have to say luigi810 you have spent a lot of money so i know the feelings you have must be terrible. i posted not to long ago on this forum because i felt so bad about gambling and it hit me right in the face. i wasnt spending a whole lot. a few hundred here and there . sometimes 1.000 a month. and me spending that amount just floored me and made me sick of my self. because a lot of it was on a credit card and not a prepaid . so it wasnt like extra money that i had. sure i hit a few good jackpots. but after a long dry spells with no wins it all goes right back to the casino. i was sick of giving and as you said running to the bank to make a dep because not only was i using a credit card but i used our extra money too. so then i had to use another credit card for necessities. it all builds up and you feel bad. so i and lots others here we really do know how it is. when i posted here about my gambling the response i got back really helped me. i havent quit cold turkey but i sure have cut down. i reason with myself and also find something that needs to be done and stay busy.

[babs7262]

Congratulations on your 5 days!! Im very happy that so many people are helping you. In a way, (not that Im happy about your problem in any way) but the last couple of weeks in here havnt been the coziest (in which I partook in as well) and you coming here really shows no matter how upset we get at each other, when someone is really hurting....we put all feelings aside and help each other as a group.

Its so easy to get caught up in ourselves, especially with gambling. Its just a great feeling to know that I (as well as others in here) can share a problem and whether your a member for one day or one year, someone is here to help

I hope today is another accomplishment. Ill try to come in here once a day to say congratulations so you know we havnt forgotten you