don't minimize this illness

This illness is devastating. Any attempts to minimize the seriousness of this problem, will end in misery. I know that there are people in prison who felt more free and peaceful than I did when I was gambling. You don't get treatment for it, you don't recover. It's pretty simple.

Notlookingback: I understand and agree with most of what you say here; this is as serious a problem and sickness as one can have in life.....I understand also about the people in prison part, because they are limited to what they can do by being in prison.......however, I respectfully disagree about the hopelessness of treatment and recovery that you allude to at the end.....people have stopped and continue to be gamble-free every day...I agree, it's a lifelong battle, but I believe it can be won, if you really dedicate yourself to it, and make that determination and persevere.

"Once an addict always an addict" is what some of us addicts are told in those support groups.

There is lots of hope. Some of us recover and never go back to a casino. But it's not as easy as snapping our fingers or tapping our shoes together. This is not the Wizard of Oz.

It takes work, dedication, and a strong mindset to tell ourselves, "I am never gambling again!" and actually following through.

I believe we can all stop. I'm a hopeful person.