My first thought when I realized I had a gambling problem was to destroy myself some more.  My behavior was totally destructive.  I had every part of my body pierced and I went where I wanted to when I wanted to.  People were afraid of me.  I was tall for seventeen.  I was always getting into fights.  Every other word out of my life was I bet you __________.  I borrowed money from everyone.  I was losing week after week betting on sports.  I had no way to pay these people back.  My attitude was who cares.  Then the people I owed money to called my home and told my parents.  My life has changed.  My parents gave me the choice to get out or they will help me with certain conditions.  I was so stubborn I walked out.  Two days later I came back and was ready to change.  I love my parents more then ever now.  They took me to the library and made me read about my addiction. 

 

I grew up as a tom boy, working on a farm.  There wasn't much for us to do.  So a bunch of us would make stupid bets. Then we progressed into poker.  Then we were betting poker and football.  We were all losing our shirts.  My dad gambled too, so he use to allow us to play at the kitchen table.  He figured his only daughter was home and safe.  The day I went to him for help because I owed $270.00.  He was mad, but he gave me the money.  A month later it was $450.00.  He was really mad and told me never to let this happen again.  It did and that's when I placed my last bet. A friend of his had the same problem when he was young, so my dad introduced me and I no longer gamble. What helped me stop was talking about it to some one who understood.

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