PTSD and Gambling

[elijahdoe]

Hello,

I am currently rated at 70% for PTSD and have a gambling addiction due to my anxiety and depression and gambling numbs my emotions but is having a heavy toll on my family and life. 

I have blocked myself at casinos but online casinos are very easy to access  

I want to stop gambling and wanted to see if the VA offers this type of support?

Also, does the VA give ratings on gambling addiction?  I really want to stop but am so depressed. 
 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

Edited November 22, 2020 by elijahdoe

[Tbird]

i doubt if the va gives a rating for gambling addiction it is a symptom rather than disability. you can contact your local veterans center and see if they have any resources for you. Join gamblers anonymous and go to the meetings, its a terrible addiction but you can overcome it. you can sign up to block you from going to the casino, most casino's have something like this. if you go back on the boat they kick you off if you show up and they may even get the law involved you'll have to check with your local casino.

talk to your doc about it reach out and ask for help, like i said gambling is a symptom and you need to deal with the underlying problems. you have to really want to quit, its very hard but not impossible.

[GBArmy]

elijahdoe How long have you been rated for MH? Do you attend ongoing treatment sessions with a MH professional? Is it with a private doc or with the VA? If it is with private, read and post in Ble Button so there are records of your on going treatment. If you don'y seek on going help, that is a serious issue. First, it is less likely you will be able to cope by yourself. Get help. Secondly, you will be receiving regular scheduled follow-up C&P exams to eval you status. If you don't have any records showing treatment, it is likely your disability will end up being reduced. Kinda like "The veteran isn't getting medical help, so therefore, he must be feeling better. No evidence of current symptoms." I am saying this because I'm getting the feeling you aren't opening up with your doc. They can't help if you don't. Follow Tbid's advice.

[Tbird]

50 minutes ago, GBArmy said:

elijahdoe How long have you been rated for MH? Do you attend ongoing treatment sessions with a MH professional? Is it with a private doc or with the VA? If it is with private, read and post in Ble Button so there are records of your on going treatment. If you don'y seek on going help, that is a serious issue. First, it is less likely you will be able to cope by yourself. Get help. Secondly, you will be receiving regular scheduled follow-up C&P exams to eval you status. If you don't have any records showing treatment, it is likely your disability will end up being reduced. Kinda like "The veteran isn't getting medical help, so therefore, he must be feeling better. No evidence of current symptoms." I am saying this because I'm getting the feeling you aren't opening up with your doc. They can't help if you don't. Follow Tbid's advice.

check out this link https://www.maketheconnection.net/symptoms/gambling/  problem gambling help line 18005224700, you are not alone.

[broncovet]

My advice is to go to AA.  Why?  Because drug addicts often get help there, too, and the principles to recovering from alcohol or drugs are likely similar to recovery from gambling.  

And, (but not in that order), go to church.  Perhaps like yourself, I once thought that life was a "race" and the one who dies with the most toys, wins.  

However, I have not seen a hearse towing a Uhaul with the deceased one's possessions, so you wont be taking any toys with you.   

Perhaps I can share a story I heard quite some time ago.  

      The man died, and was given a tour of heaven by a man who looked like he must be  St. Peter.  On this tour, there was a sign:  For Sale: $500 It was on a 67, Corvete Stingray and the man knew that had to be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.  It was rare.  He told St. Peter, "I want to buy that Corvete".  

       St. Peter responded that, "There will be time for that..You havent seen anything yet", and continued the tour.  A little further was a 2020 Chevy Silverado, Crew Cab 4 by 4, custom painted with every option imaginable also for sale:  $200.  He could hardly contain himself.  He knew that truck had to be worth 60,000 to 100,000 dollars.  "I want to buy that truck" he said.  St. Peter again said to be patient, there was more.  

       He drove by a white fence, with impressive race horses grazing outside.  Inside the fence of the magnificent property, was a mansion like none he had never seen on earth.  There were swimming pools, tennis courts, people playing Rugby, AND an NFL stadium..on the property, which just happened to have his favorite team playing inside.  This time the for sale sign said $1000.  

      Wow, I think I have 1000 dollars in my wallet!  That is what I want!    That property, with an NFL stadium, had to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars.  Finally, he arrived and a man put his arm around him, leading him through another gate.  "Wait, I want to buy all that stuff I saw for sale".  He pulled out his wallet.  "Oh, we dont take THAT money here.  You see, the only money we accept here, is the money you gave away, to others,  while on earth. "   

       He was suddenly saddened.  He knew he never gave money away.  He couldnt buy any of this stuff.  As he pondered, he realized..he was not in heaven after all.     A man lead him away, and he just knew he could read his thoughts.  "Correct", the man said.   We have custom designed this place just for you.  Since you coveted others property, on earth,  you will spend your days coveting, and in jealousy of others for  what you dont have, forever.  

Edited November 22, 2020 by broncovet

[Buck52]

You have to help yourself before anyone else can help you, Those big nice casino's have caused many  family's troubles and even there lives.

By you acknowledge  the fact you have a gamble  problem  that's  the  first start  now go do something about  before you do lose your family.

Get the help you need

This post is a little contrary to another post from another veteran with PTSD he says he goes to the casino because it relaxes his Anxiety  the bells and whistle of the machines going off  money pouring out  shows of entertainment smoke filled atmosphere 

Life is hard why make it harder.

[jamescripps2]

File a few VA claims, that is comparable to gambling, but it won't help with the depression and might push the anxiety through the roof.