Well, I’ve been sober 18 days now. Longest time sober since 2013. I’ve only had a few days that were difficult. But, I’m running to the casino for an escape. Counterproductive to say the least. I plan to do a self exclusion once I’ve got more sobriety under my belt. I’m afraid I’ll start drinking again if I don’t have an outlet to escape. Just worried I’ll drain my savings in the mean time. Dang, I hate my addictive personality. Feeling pretty worthless today. Like a person with too many issues.
What we choose as the DOD to scratch that itch is null and void.
Honestly I’m an addict whether it’s pills. Drinks. Gambling buying dumb shit on amazon
I honestly believe that the addict brain is what we need to treat, I can easily substitute anything to satisfy my addiction. Trust me I love blackjack and lived within walking distance of a casino
Congratulations on your 18 days of sobriety! I have, in the past, had some cross-addiction but fairly harmless ones (chilis, workouts, gardening etc) but not to gambling, but also have gone back to drinking. There are lots of things to concentrate on while building up sobriety. Gambling is not just a cross-addiction though, it is also cross-harming. Have you wondered why you have focussed on something that, as you say, is counterproductive? Have you thought about why you think you can only plan to do something about it once you have sobriety under your belt and fear relapse if you don’t.
I may be wrong but it seems to me your obsessions go beyond addiction and are actually rooted in self-destruction. If you find it difficult to find a more healthy escape, perhaps it is time to think about counselling? There is often an underlying issue behind addiction, and real healing I think comes from an holistic approach rather than considering each addiction in isolation.
