I’m new here. Please God give me the strength to stay sober. All 3 addictions are slowly ruining my life. Any support or friendships is appreciated. I feel lonely , depressed and disappointed with myself. I’m greatful for my wife (who I’ve been hiding the gambling from and it makes me feel terrible) and my mother, who has always been there for me when I need encouragement or emotional support.
19 Likes
This is a great place to start. There are lots of people who can relate. Take it one day at a time.
Hi there. Thank you for the words of encouragement. I really feel like this app and community will help me be successful. Not looking forward to the withdrawals. I find when I don’t smoke marijuana, I have very vivid nightmares. And when I am smoking , no nightmares.
5 Likes
@deric Welcome to TS! I’m glad you found this site.
Have you tried quitting this stuff before? When I first got clean (for the last time) going to meetings really helped.
You’re a brave man for stepping up and wanting to do better.
2 Likes
Hi there jvke. Thanks for the message man. I’ve known I need to quit for a long time. The debt is pulling up, the lies to the wife have eaten away at my soul. I was going to a Mormon church for a few Sundays. It was nice to feel so welcomed, but then they pushed baptism and tithing(give the church 10 percent of your income). I stopped going for those 2 reasons. During that time I was able to stop my cycle of smoking marijuana, having a couple beers and gambling all my money away online casinos. It’s a terrible cycle that I need to stop. I’m very committed, I’m just scared of the withdrawals. How are you doing lately? I want to live w happier and for financially secure life going forward. One day at a time
2 Likes
If this is what helped you get out, go back.
Of course, find a different Church if need be thats okay.
But yeah connection is needed here.
It always was during sobriety.
Go to God.
The Church community.
Here.
Eventually, maybe, confess to your wife.
Let God get things straight.
Go to AA, or some form of that for more “in real life” connections.
Work a program, daily.
And, watch God grow around you.
3 Likes
That’s exactly what I needed to hear. I agree. I think a Catholic Church is better for me. Thank you for the advice and time.
Welcome.
Quitting all three at once is a big task. A lot of the techniques to quit are similar and can be generalised though.
For all of them you keep doing it because you feel like you get something. Escape, a high, whatever. But realising to your bones that you are getting far far less than you are losing is the first step to quitting. The house always wins, as they say, whether gambling, drinking, etc. For me, I knew rationally that I was losing, but I still believed somewhere that it was worth it or what I was getting was something I could only get from drink. Quit lit, AA really helped me to get it on a deeper level.
3 Likes
Starting with prayers before sleep and when I wake up.
2 Likes
Oh, i don’t know about all that.
But, thats between you and God.
Check out see if there is a Church around you that has some form of AA.
They generally call it something else.
I run in the 8 beatitudes in there small groups during the week.
Connected with not only like minded individuals, but putting God first as we move into our new selves.
Just an idea.
Take it, don’t, thats you and God.
But, glad you’re reaching out!
EDIT:
Oh, absolutely, daily routines to connect with. You know, be in your bible.
One day at a time. Thats all. Keep it simple.
1 Like
I know quitting all 3 will be tough. But I feel like it is necessary. Using any one of them will lead me to relapsing on the others. When you have the same routine for many years, it seems unbreakable. But I want better for my life. I appreciate your comment. A lot of what you said hit hard for me.
2 Likes
I’m not really sure which church to go to, I just know I need a relationship with God. The missionaries from the Mormon church found me on Facebook and they pulled me in. It wasnt the right fit for me there , but it made me feel good to meet such kind people.
1 Like
They really are kind, tbh.
I know a bunch of them. Never will step into a mormon church, but, they be helping people in need. I see it in my small town.
Help and spread the Word, maybe not the book of mormon, but the Bible.
That alone will bring more fulfillment than drinking, than gambling and smoking.
And, ive done all 3 as well.
Been sober for almost 5 years from drinking.
Smoking just phased out for me like 13 years ago lol.
Anyways, Connecting with God, Jesus.
I did that 9 months ago. Sobriety was alright, but God brought me to a place man.
Even better than sobriety.
But, one day at a time.
This Church, that Church who knows. But, one day at a time.
That walk with the Lord.
That love for God connection.
Nothing in this world can bring us to that.
Keep it simple.
Trust God.
Go home to your family.
Get sober.
Wow man. That’s beautiful . I will aspire to follow you . My goal moving forward will be to get closer to God. Thank you for your inspiring words 
2 Likes
Yeah brother, follow Jesus. 
He is the One who can and will provide healing.
Hi Nikki. Thanks for reaching out. I’m feeling like the more connections I make here, the better my chances for success quitting gambling. Gambling is my worst addiction as well. I have this routine of watching sports, betting on sports , smoking a little marijuana and drinking a little alcohol . I feel like quitting marijuana and alcohol will not be nearly as tough as gambling. I’m gambling addict as well. The online casinos are the devil. The money disappears so quickly, it’s like we are flushing hundred dollar bills down the toilet. Let’s stop this today !!! We don’t want to end up so severely in debt that homelessness is around the corner. Once again, thank you for reaching out. Let’s support each other and improve as human beings. I’m so optimistic right now. 
Hugs
2 Likes
I hear you. The slots have me hooked too. Blackjack and slots. Right from the phone. The worst creation ever. My financial damage is 33000 in debt. The only reason I stopped and trying my best to quit is because I’m just about tapped out. Worried about make minimum payments and bills. If I keep going , it definitely makes you worried about where your heading . Appreciate your willingness to be there for me. I’ll be there for you as well. I had my first counselling session last night and the counsellor was amazing. I’ve realized I cant quit my addictions on my own. Men don’t like to admit defeat and that we are struggling. It feels good to have the support of others. Hugs to you.
How long have you not gambled for ? I have stopped marijuana and alcohol for 3 days. But today I gambled my last money availablee. Once again I feel terrible.
Thanks for asking. I’m staying strong and staying away from marijuana and alcohol. But I relapsed on gambling. I gamble every dollar I have access to. The only time I can really stop is when I don’t have access to money. So I really need to figure out a better plan. Maybe giving my accounts and money access to my partner. But that would require telling her the truth. And she thinks I quit gambling years ago and doesn’t know about all the debt. Im scared to tell her because I don’t want her to leave me and I think that’s a real possibility. I had my first counselling session the other night and I do believe that is really going to help. How are your cravings today ? Thanks for asking.
You should look at getting to some 12 step programmes to help you start recovery.
I’m a compulsive gambler also and currently just under 4 years without a bet but it took a lot of trying and allot of meetings to get here.
Good luck with it all
2 Likes