If gambling filled a huge void in your life, was an escape for your problems, and the only thing you really did for recreation, then it may more difficult for you to overcome a compulsive gambling addiction. There is no easy fix or easy way for said self help for gambling. If I that there was, I. One of the best methods of overcoming gambling addiction, and also the first to fail without treatment, is to self-proclaim your own abstinence from gambling. What this means is that the gambler will actually make the promise to him or herself not to gamble and will exclude him or herself from any activities that involve gambling.
- How To Cure Gambling Addiction
- How To Overcome A Gambling Addiction Problem
- What Is A Gambling Addiction
- How To Beat A Gambling Addiction
- How To Overcome A Gambling Addiction Affects
- How To Overcome A Gambling Addiction Dsm 5
How To Cure Gambling Addiction
Gambling addiction is frequently seen alongside other forms of psychiatric disorders, such as depression and anxiety. 3 It is also seen frequently alongside other kinds of addictions. Just because you have a problem with gambling does not mean you are a weak-willed, irresponsible person. Understand The Nature. The first important step in overcoming this addiction is to understand the.
Has the game become the main concern of your life? Have you forgotten other aspects such as family, work or social relationships? As you can imagine, none of that is going to bring something positive to your life.
In this article, I will explain to you 7 steps to overcome and get out of gambling, return to your previous life and stop wasting your money. On the other hand, you have to keep in mind that you can do it, although you will have to persevere and be strong.
What is Pathological Gambling (addiction to gambling)?
Gambling addiction or gambling addiction is the psychopathological tendency to play, in which the affected cannot resist the impulse to continue playing.
Normally, this addiction developed in three stages:
- Stage 1: earnings that seem easy are generated
- Stage 2: money is lost and you try to win it with an unrealistic optimism.
- Stage 3: destabilization of the game behavior, frustration.
Often, this addiction occurs along with mental disorders such as anxiety, depression or alcoholism and has now increased due to technology; the boom of smartphones and the internet.
Some doubts about gambling
I would like to clarify some doubts that you usually have with the problem of the game.
-You do not have to play every day to have problems with the game. You have problems with the game if that causes you problems.
-The problem is not only economic. The game can cause a relationship to break or lose important personal relationships.
-The cause of playing is not of others. Some gambling addicts blame their partners for behaving like that. Doing that is avoiding responsibility for your actions, including doing what is necessary to overcome the problem.
-The problem with the game is not overcome by paying the debts, but by overcoming the addictive behavior.
Symptoms of pathological gambling
In gambling addiction, there are no obvious physical signs, as there are in drug or alcohol addiction. In addition, gaming addicts often hide their addiction to others: they travel long distances to play and hide it from their nearby people.
You may have a problem with the game if:
– You play even when you do not have money: bets until you have lost all the money, later you want to recover using money from cards or borrowed money.
-Your family or friends care about you: it’s because the game is affecting your life.
How to win big at craps. -You want to hide it: bets in secret and lie about what you bet or what you earn.
-You lose control: you are not able to leave the playing area when you lose.
How to get out of gambling?
Accept that you have problems with the game
The biggest step to take in the treatment of pathological gambling is to accept that you have problems with the game.
It takes courage and strength to do so, especially when a large amount of money has been lost or relationships have been lost along the way.
However, it is a necessary step, and many people who have overcome this problem have had to give it.
Overcoming the problem is not easy, although you can if you seek support and continue the treatment.
Make decisions and resist the temptation
Before starting the game, the decision has been made to do so.
If you have the urge to bet, stop doing what you are doing and call someone or think about the consequences of your actions. Do not pay attention to thoughts about the game and do something else immediately.
On the other hand, remember that the odds are against you. The normal thing is that you lose. Do not see the game as an opportunity to get out of your financial problems.
Some ways to control the impulse are:
- Ask the casino to stop you from entering.
- If you are addicted to online games, install a webpage blocker of this type. In extreme case, temporarily get rid of laptop/computer or smartphone, until you get over the problem.
- Postpone the game: Tell yourself that you will play 5, 15 or 60 minutes later, depending on the time you think you can control. As you wait, the urge to play can happen
- Find support: call family, friends or go to groups of people with the same problem
- Do something else: clean, go to the gym, watch a movie …
- Avoid isolation: look for new ways to build personal relationships
- Think about the consequences and how you will feel if you fall into temptation
Control your money
You can not play without money: get rid of credit cards, save and do not borrow money.
Let other people take charge of your money, have the bank make automatic payments and limit the amount of cash you can get.
Plan your time
If not times to play you will not.
Plan healthy leisure activities that have nothing to do with the game.
Avoid places related to the game
Minimize to the maximum the possibility of playing avoiding the places nearby or that remind you of the places where you play.
You can also tell the establishment that you have problems with the game and ask them to restrict your entry.
Also, block your entry to betting websites. In google extensions, you have extensions that do it.
Look for other activities instead of the game
It is worth reflecting on the different ways in which you try to deal with stressful or irritating situations.
Stress,depression,loneliness or anxiety can trigger the game or make it worse.
How To Overcome A Gambling Addiction Problem
To get rid of work or family life there are many other activities that you can have fun with.
Much healthier activities that will have positive consequences on your health are.
- Spend time with friends
- Search for new hobbies
- Exercise
- Relaxation techniques
- Read books
Practice cognitive-behavioral therapy
This therapy focuses on changing thoughts and unhealthy behaviors related to the game, such as rationalizations or limiting beliefs.
It also helps gamblers to:
- Combat the impulses that they have to play
- Treat relational problems arising after addiction
- Deal with financial or labor problems
Visiting a psychologist does not mean that you are weak or that you can not control your problems, but that you are intelligent and responsible enough to realize that you need help.
Keep the recovery
When you overcome the addiction, you may relapse again.
For this, it is essential that you establish certain healthy habits that replace the game:
- To relax sports, relaxation techniques, meditation or massages.
- To socialize: learn social skills, find new friends, go to an NGO, sign up for classes in some activity …
- Loneliness or boredom: finding a new passion like sports, music, art, books …
Seek help from associations or organizations in your country
It is very likely that in your country or city there are organizations specialized in helping people who have problems with the game. They have experience and they will know how to advise.
Do not be ashamed to call them, they have hundreds of cases like yours and their will is to help people overcome gambling and rebuild their lives.
What are your problems with the game? Are you a gambler or do you want to help someone? I’m interested in your opinion to Thank you!
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Over 80 percent of American adults gamble on a yearly basis, and three to five gamblers out of every hundred struggles with a gambling problem (source). Gambling addictions are traumatic, painful, and soul-destroying – not only for those experiencing them, but also their families and friends. Here Ashley shares her gambling story.
This post is part of My Sweet Home Life’s Overcomers series – where we look at women whose lives haven’t turned out quite how they expected.
We feature women who have struggled with abuse, addictions, unexpected loss, and challenging circumstances.
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Each of these women have come through their experiences with lessons learned – lessons that can help us all as we navigate this crazy thing called life.
Today we share Ashley’s story of overcoming gambling addiction.
Related: Overcoming heroin addiction: My story.
Trigger warning: Suicidal ideation.
TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF
Hi! My name is Ashley Marie. I am thirty-seven years old.
I live in a small town in Arkansas, where I have lived my whole life.
I have three living kids that are my world, one angel baby, and a step-son. I am newly married to the love of my life.
Currently I am waiting to get accepted in to the LPN program while taking basics for RN at my local college.
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I am new to the blogging world, though I have always had a passion for writing. My blog is mostly personal, but I am trying to narrow down my niche to provide more value to my reader and support my family.
I would love for you to check out my blog at Her Heart Out Loud.
HOW DOES YOUR STORY BEGIN?
My first marriage was neither good nor easy. I suffered from a ton of abuse of all forms and was constantly put down.
But I stayed in there by being focused on my kids. Doing things for them and with them made me happy. I did not believe in divorce and I swore I would never put my kids through all that came with the end of a marriage.
However, in 2015 it became almost unbearable.
He started dragging my kids into our fights and would be cruel to them.
As a result, they wanted to be at home less and less. They started spending most of their time with family and friends, which I could understand as I for sure did not want to be there!
I started looking for ways to not be home as well.
What started out as a simple girl’s night out turned into a big problem.
WHEN DID YOUR GAMBLING PROBLEM BEGIN?
I can remember how it all started. From time to time, that day still haunts me.
I went to the casino with a friend. I took forty dollars with me and played until it was gone.
After then, I went and sat in the dining area and read a book until she was ready to go.
However, she ended up winning a nice sum of money.
I remember thinking how that would be nice. I could sure use the money! So a few days later, after my now ex-husband and I had been fighting all day, I decided I had had enough and I was going to go back to the casino and try to win.
I took one-hundred dollars and away I went.
I honestly can’t tell you if I won that day or not. What I do remember is that I forgot all my troubles while I was there. I didn’t stress about things at home and for me that was huge.
At this point gambling became my escape.
If my kids weren’t home, I was at the casino.
Then it came to the point I was at the casino no matter if they were home or not.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU HAD A PROBLEM?
Six months in I started thinking maybe I had a problem, but still tried to convince myself that I was in control.
I got paid on Friday, left work, and went straight to the casino. I lost my whole pay check that day in a matter of about thirty minutes.
I cried all the way home.
Then I called the 1-800 number on the back of my casino rewards card (if you feel you have a problem they offer advice, put you on a list and are suppose to kick you out when they see you – but they don’t).
This same thing happened for the next several weeks.
All too soon I was broke, all my bills were due and my kids needed things. Still all I could think about was ways to get money to go to the casino.
I called an agency about trying to get counseling, but my insurance would not cover it. I did not have the money to get the help I truly needed.
A friend of mine was a counselor. I talked to her a little, but because she was my friend, I found myself not being completely honest. She could not help me when I was lying to her and not doing what she told me to do.
I found myself lying to loved ones so they would let me borrow money.
Once I was borrowed out, I started asking strangers for money. I was amazed at how many people at the casino gave it to me.
One guy was going to give me money to sleep with him.
Thank God, I never did anything like that.
WHEN DID YOU REACH BOTTOM?
Because of gambling I lost my car and a ton of friends and family, had my utilities turned off, and destroyed my relationship with my kids.
I often found myself googling ways to kill myself. I believe the search was “how to quickly and painlessly end your life.”
I wanted to die; I felt I deserved to die, but I was too big of a chicken to do it. I just couldn’t pull the trigger or swallow the pills.
I kept thinking how bad it would hurt and that my kids had been through enough. They didn’t deserve to live without a mom. Their dad was terrible – who would take care of them if I was gone?
A year in my sister and mom started trying to help me.
I can remember yelling at them, tell them to mind their own business and just ignore them all together. But thankfully my mom, sister and kids never gave up on me.
In 2016 my marriage ended very badly.
Related: Starting over after divorce: My story.
I knew that if I didn’t get help I was going to lose my kids.
What Is A Gambling Addiction
I turned to the few people I had left in my life and the journey began.
It was the most challenging thing I have ever done, and took much longer than I ever would have imagined.
In January 2018, I met the man of my dreams. Telling him about my addiction was hard but I knew he had to know if he was going to be in my life.
Then in February, I told myself it was going to be the last time I went to the casino. However, I had said that before, so I didn’t even believe myself.
My mom took over my bills: I set my check up to go direct deposit and gave her the only card I had.
My sister would come by my work and home to make sure I was there. Both her and mom called me several times a day at random times.
Once, I snuck over to the casino and I didn’t answer the calls when they came through so they knew where I was. They called the casino to see if I was there, and then headed over to get me.
Thanks to my mom, my sister, and my new husband, I am where I am today.
I have the best support group ever. Are there times I still want to go? Yes! People talk about it in front of me or invite me to go with them and it is hard to say no but I must.
I cannot let my loved ones down.
I can’t let myself down.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO THINKS THEY, OR A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER, MAY HAVE A GAMBLING PROBLEM?
My advice to anyone facing addiction would be turn to the people you know will never turn their back on you.
You need to get help at the first sign of a problem.
The longer you wait the harder it is to stop.
Look at your kids! Look in the mirror! Is this the life you want; is this the life they deserve?
Dig deep and find the willpower inside of you to take control of your life.
To the loved ones of the addict, don’t give up on them. Ever!
They will be mean to you and they will push you away. The addiction will make them do and say horrible things.
Don’t turn your back on them.
If my family would have turned their back on me I would either be broke, still battling addiction, or dead.
Concluding my story of overcoming gambling addiction
Addiction can happen to anyone.
Judgement is not the answer; helping each other is.
I never thought it could happen to me.
No one wakes up and says, “I think I will become an addict today.”
How To Beat A Gambling Addiction
That’s why I wanted to share my gambling addiction story so you can see how easily it happens.
Please never be afraid to ask for help. Please never turn your back on someone asking for help.
Need help? Call the National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700.
How To Overcome A Gambling Addiction Affects
Want greater connection in your relationship?
Then you'll want this freebie.
How To Overcome A Gambling Addiction Dsm 5
It's called the KISS connection and it's a FREE 4 step everyday practice that will bring back that loving feeling.
Hit the pink button to get your free copy today.