Anxiety, Stress and Compulsive Gambling

Hello TSang nice to meet you!!! I can relate to the worrying all the time,I am the queen of worrying! Been having anxiety and panic for 10 years now.I think the gambling can be a result of anxiety although i'm not an expert. Maybe gambling is your way of escaping the anxiety so to speak.In other words maybe it gives you sometime to escape from reality and eases your anxiety. I can tell you when i first starting having P/A shopping was my outlet! While i was shopping i never had any panic or anxiety. So i use to shop all the time and spend money that i didnt have to escape from what i was really feeling!!! Until it start becoming a problem in my marriage. I have'nt heard too many people with P/A say it,but i think having impulsive behavior can be a symtom of P/A. I dont know if you've ever seen a therapist about this but it may be useful.Because usually when people display impulsive behavior gambling,shopping,eating etc there is some kind of underlying emotional reason.I hope you find a solution to your problem.GOOD LUCK!

Nice to meet you too Panike and Stkitt. Thanks for the responses. I have to agree that I think that I use the gambling to as an escape from the anxiety, the worrying about the Crohn's and the work related stress that I am under. I go to the casino for hours at a time and all that is on my mind is the game that I am playing. I know it is not a good thing and I need to do something about it. It's actually out of hand. I need to learn how to replace this destructive behavior with positive ones.

I am currently seeing a therapist and I just mentioned the subject to him last week. I also have an appointment with a pdoc next week and I will bring up the subject. I am also a recovering alcoholic and have not had a drink in 20 years. The gambling is just another compulsive addiction that I developed probably to replace the drinking. I called Gambler's Anonymous and found a meeting in the area that I plan on going to.

Thanks for the help.

Hi Timmy,
I know this is not the best way but it works for me.  I do not gamble in any of the casinos in our area and there is one just 22 miles from my home.  I used to live to go down there and as you say no stress of thinking, just play the machine.  I begin to realize just how much I was spending and had to just stop.  I only play when I go on a vacation and I know ahead of time exactly what I will spend and no more.  I do not expect to win or come home with my spending money but I do have fun and I like to see shows and people watch so it works.

I agree with Nanners, you have much on your plate and you have my prayers too.

Hugs

KItt

Thanks everyone for all of your kind words, prayers and support. Like you say Panike if I can overcome the alcohol I can also overcome the gambling. I just have to apply the same principles that I used for that to the gambling. I did go to my first Gambler's Anonymous meeting tonight.
That is the first step. It's going to take a lot of hard work but it can be done.

I am getting some relief from the crohn's. I had surgery done in Oct. of last year and thank God, all has been good with it. I am able to eat normally again.

Thanks,

Hello! I so understand about the gambling! It has been away to forget, for me for a long time. Then when I have gambled money that I needed the anxiety is 10 times worse. The gambling has caused many a problems for me, but still seems like that is the only time I ever realy forget every thing else.

Im sorry that I can not offer any words of wisdom. But I do hope it helps knowing some one can relate.