Hi Carole, I think you are really on to something. I am glad you realized that the problem was a feeling of loneliness and that gambling was not the solution. It is ok not to want to feel lonely, and it is ok to want to feel good. We just can’t turn to gambling to turn those feelings around. We need to find other avenues that will help us with our feelings of loneliness or the fact that we want to have a good time. It is normal when we are feeling pain to want to seek pleasure. And for our CG minds that means seeking pleasure in one way. We need to begin seeking other possible alternatives and then train our minds to think of doing those activities to relieve our pain. Choosing the same thing that doesn’t work and only causes more pain isn’t the answer. But stopping gambling, and then not pursuing anything to replace it, isn’t smart either. It takes effort, but searching for the things that “float our boat” is an important part of recovery. I know what you mean about wanting to get silly, letting yourself just be you. I hope you have a great, silly, playful, delightful day at the beach with your granddaughter.
