"Addiction is a disease that involves more than just Problem Gambling"

Remembering my first recovery meeting, I was taken aback at the way members shared about how the disease of addiction had affected their lives. I thought to myself “Disease? I’ve just got a gambling and finiancial problem! What in the world are they talking about?”

After some time in the recovery program, I began to see that my addiction ran deeper than my obsessive, compulsive, destructive gambling .... When working the recovery program (which include the 12th steps), I saw that I suffered from a chronic illness that affected many areas of my lives. I didn’t know where I’d “caught” this disease, is it really the first bet when I was seven and eventually it became a quick fix solution in my life, the fastest way I thought to achieve my finiancial freedom ....

Whatever it was .... in examining myself I realized that it had been present in me for many years. To me .....

“Addiction is a Cunning, Powerful , Baffling and Relapse-able disease”

Just as the disease of addiction affects every area of my lives, so does my recovery program. I surrendered for treatment back in Jan 2007, attend my first meeting with all the symptoms present: the spiritual void, the emotional agony, the powerlessness, the unmanageability.

Now, regaining my sanity, I realised that treating my illness involves much more than mere stopping gambling, seeking treatment....

"Recovery is a process of change ..... Recovery is discovery ..... We seek progression rather than perfection ... " "Recovery is learning to live life on life's term ......"

In this recovery program, though it don’t “cure” my illness, but it will arrest it and they do begin to heal me ...... And as I walk the journey of recovery, I has begin to experience the gift of life.

Thank God that I am in recovery today.