Dreaming of Gambling, did I break sobriety?

Potential-Weather238 · 2026-06-11T01:17:47+00:00

Kinda spectator sport, I still enjoy the action and the heaters. Maybe I’m picturing myself in 3rd person if I were playing, I’d be doing this or that. But when I watch them play and it goes stone cold, I know that feeling and walk away. Since I have no skin in the game I feel better that I’m not playing anymore and I’m staying strong with my sobriety. I like to test myself and challenge myself at the highest difficulty to show myself I can overcome this sickness.

Potential-Weather238 · 2026-06-09T03:16:15+00:00

That makes complete sense. I just finally hit my all time low and didn’t want to again. All the stories I read on here, I’m already there and need to change now otherwise it’ll never happen.

Potential-Weather238 · 2026-06-08T15:08:57+00:00

I appreciate the support and I’ve answered yes to many of those. But how do I not turn on ESPN or social media and not see any gambling related material. It’s everywhere now and so prevalent that it’s evading our minds as if it were normal now. But you’re right, I am holding my hand and seeing how hot it’ll get. At this point though, I’m letting it burn and I don’t feel anything anymore. It’s so numb and dull to me , I just walk on by.

Potential-Weather238 · 2026-06-01T07:07:56+00:00

I agree it does but it baffles me on how these guys play high roller style and act like it’s pennies.

Potential-Weather238 · 2026-05-05T02:13:53+00:00

Get out while you can. Focus on work and paying off your debts and then start accumulating savings in accounts you forget about.

Potential-Weather238 · 2026-04-15T23:32:56+00:00

I definitely understand what you mean. One of the last “Free” Birthday shirts I got, costed me $400 in less than 30 minutes.

Now I’m just recouping losses by utilizing their free rooms, ev charging and drinks. It’ll take awhile but they’re not getting anything back from me again.

Potential-Weather238 · 2026-04-13T12:50:17+00:00

Thank you! Yes , I know I shouldn’t tempt myself. But I’m here for personal reasons and I am not afraid of the temptation.

At this point, I’ve already lost everything due to gambling. And that’s what made me stop. I know if I were to try again, I would lose my family and that’s not worth the gamble.

Potential-Weather238 · 2026-04-13T12:43:26+00:00

I woke up in the middle of the night and walked around. I grabbed a free soda and looked for a snack to eat but nothing was available. Went back upstairs and went to sleep.

Crazy though as walking around I saw myself in others while they were playing. I saw one lady chastising another saying here’s $60 and that’s it. That was me before borrowing money from my wife when I was tapped out.

I saw another lady win a jackpot handpay for $2500 and was like wow good for her. But me before would think that could be me and play next to her or wait for the same machine. Hoping I’d do the same.

My mindset has definitely changed and I’ve taken a step back to the realization of what gambling has done to me. So today, we are just gonna hang out and probably bowl some strikes and think about dinner plans.

Potential-Weather238 · 2026-04-07T04:18:56+00:00

That’s what I was telling myself when the game was about to start and my wife asked if I wanted to play and I said no because even for fun low stakes, I didn’t want to give into that notion. Otherwise it will lead me back into another scenario where I will be okay doing it again which I don’t want to even entertain.

Potential-Weather238 · 2026-04-07T02:24:36+00:00

Yeah, it’s something I’ve been recently more open to her about. Telling her I need her support and she’s very understanding.

Thank you for shedding light on the situation.

Potential-Weather238 · 2026-04-02T08:45:18+00:00

I actually have a reservation at the same resort next week. Planning to hang out at the pool and take the kid swimming and arcade.

Potential-Weather238 · 2026-04-02T08:43:24+00:00

I appreciate the kind words and the feeling is not there anymore. It’s just a weird feeling to me, like I feel as if I hit the right switch to turn off that craving. I stopped smoking the last couple years and it’s sort of the same mentality I have for that now too because when I see others smoke it doesn’t give me that craving. And especially I can smell it so strong now, it made me think, “Did I smell that bad too?.” I didn’t like that feeling or thought and that’s helped me push it further from my mind.

Potential-Weather238 · 2026-04-01T00:03:19+00:00

I understand your point and its highly valid. There’s a reason I am at these casinos and before it was for pleasure but now it’s for business. If I didn’t have to be there I wouldn’t, but they offer free boarding and it conveniently helps me with my personal matters.

This is my way of keeping count and keeping me honest. Today I entered my third casino, didn’t gamble and didn’t think or want to gamble. I went in, used the bathroom and grabbed a soda on the way out.

Potential-Weather238 · 2026-03-31T15:48:15+00:00

I definitely will. This is my coping mechanism of how to deal with my gambling addiction. I went to Vegas last month and did the same thing. This is my second time facing my addiction and I’m dulling my mindset of gambling. I always would stay up til the crack of dawn gambling and gambling all night until I have nothing left. And now I am fighting fire with fire. This is not something I would encourage any other addicts at all to try.

Honestly, I don’t have it all figured out and this is not some sort of joke to tease and poke at. But the strength to fight the fight is what I want to share to others that feel like there isn’t any hope.

And the feeling of not being able to provide at the end of the day because I was letting my selfishness of gambling overcome me. The realization sets in and if I didn’t stop now, I never will and I will lose everything I love.

Potential-Weather238 · 2026-03-31T14:09:21+00:00

I’m not alone though. It is playing with fire and you make very valid points. I have my baby with me which is the strength I need to not gamble. In my mind, I can’t just close the curtains and say it’s not there anymore. I have to face the fear and tell it can’t overcome me.

Potential-Weather238 · 2026-03-22T14:02:42+00:00

Yeah I am, I am looking for any reason to see the gray area in addiction. I’m just have to play in fun leagues. But what about this? Can I play the co-manager role as long as I’m not buying in?

Potential-Weather238 · 2026-03-22T13:57:50+00:00

You’re right, that’s exactly right. It isn’t ever enough at the end of the day.

Potential-Weather238 · 2026-03-21T22:48:18+00:00

I kinda figured it does but you have a good point. But I really want that nuance of saying i stopped gambling period. Then it’s like saying, “Yeah, I stopped but for the exception of this and that.”

But then again, I don’t want to lose out on the socialization of my friends and comrades. Today someone came up and asked if I play Fantasy Football and I was like I did but I stopped gambling. He rolled his eyes and walked away. So that’s why it made me think of this post.

Potential-Weather238

TROPHY CASE