I have just completed session 2 and feel it has helped in me recognize that I think I have used gambling and alcohol for many years as an escape from my depression and anxiety. I am having a hard time embracing the program because i have recently lost so much that i either had to try and win it back, or tell my wife i need to go into our savings to pay the debt. When i wake up in the morning after losing, my heart races and i ask myself why i am causing this anxiety in my life (why am i such a loser). Also, i dont enjoy everyday things like i used to (movies hobbies etc), it as if i can no longer be who i really am (or used to be). Part of me wants to tell my wife of the problem, but i am terrified of what she will think of me. I dont know whether i drink and gamble because of escape or bordem or both. I am hoping that this program can help me, but i am so preoccupied with the debt i have that i am having a hard time moving forward, as well as what to do about the situation.
Does anyone have any experience with problems like me, or any advice i would appreciate

OK, I've been there with other addictions..KNOW WITH ALL YOUR HEART you will overcome this and your life will be BETTER than before all this started...share it with your wife...YOU ARE NOT A LOSER!!! we are all humans on this planet all with MANY MANY faults....so what! I found that prayer (intially it is hard) along with this p[rogram is the way out...STOP trying to hide your pain, get it out in the open and let the daylight shine upon it, if you do this it will lose it's grip on you gaurenteed! And you will be free, it takes TIME TIME TIME but who cares...each week will you will slowly see a change, do not be impatient..continue the program no matter how you FEEL...decision 1st feelings follow remember that and you will be GREAT. This is a chance to finally address the yuck and slowly rid it from your life...believe me this HAPPENS...stay the program and prayer again no matter how you feel..your feelings will catch up (it seems lie forever but they do)..please pray, this was difficult for me at 1st but you will find if you keep "hammering" God with your prayers (mainly thanking and rejocing in Him) the freedom will come...it sucks to be a slave to anxiety/depression/gambling/alcohol, etc etc...IT IS TIME TO BE FREE!!I will say a prayer for you my friend, you are not alone!Sean

sean thanks for the support. it sounds like you have a pretty good grip on your addictions. I mostly work from home and have enough free time that when i feel bored or down i just cant seem to do anything constructive (i function for work because income is a neccessity, but will aviod things that dont need to be done like filing etc. even though i could probably function better for work if i did). i always end up drinking/gambling, and i just dont know why. Sometimes when i am doing destructive things i ask myself why am i doing this? yet i do it anyway.
How do you motivate yourself to not go to that comfortable and familiar place?
I have quit before, I even went to GA (because gambling is my worst addiction), but i always return to it. Is moderation even possible?

Thanks again for the support, I would appreciate hearing how you progressed to where you are, and how you fought your addictions.

I understand completely. I have gambled $10000 of dollars and the guilt and sadness you feel after losing it all for something as stupid as gambling can be unbearable. What was once a nice hobby of playing poker became an obsession and then I didnt even know how miserable it made me until I wound up having recurring anxiety attacks due to the debt and feelings of "loser" that consume you. It is hard to find other outlets when you get older, especially for someone like me who played so many sports when I was younger. fortunately, I feel like I am back on track at a fairly young age of 30.