A gambling addiction is a serious mental health condition that can cause harm to the gambler and their family. If you think you have a problem with gambling, there are things you can do to get help.
Talk to a professional counsellor about your gambling problems and find out what support is available in your area. They can help you deal with your issues and find a way to stop gambling for good.
Avoid Gambling When You Are Feeling Depressed or in Pain
If you’re feeling sad or depressed, it can be hard to control your impulses. During this time, it’s important to seek help for any underlying depression or anxiety symptoms that may be contributing to your gambling problems.
Set a Limit on How Much Money You Plan to Wager
It’s important not to spend more than you can afford to lose when gambling. This way, you won’t have to worry about spending the entire budget on gambling or losing everything you’ve brought with you to the casino.
Play a Game You Know How to Play
The most common mistake people make is playing games they don’t understand. This can lead to losses and frustration. This is why it’s important to learn the rules of the game before you start.
Balance your Gambling With Other Activities
It’s easy to fall into the trap of using gambling as a means of coping with feelings of stress, loneliness or depression. In fact, this may be one of the primary reasons that people become addicted to gambling. It’s important to have a balance of healthy ways to relieve these feelings, such as exercise, reading, spending time with friends who don’t gamble and practicing relaxation techniques.
Set a Time Limit and Leave When You Reach It
The best thing you can do is to set a time limit for your gambling sessions. This will help you keep track of how long you’ve been spending and what you’ve won or lost. It can also give you an incentive to stay away from casinos or other gambling venues.
If you’re gambling, try to do it during non-peak times. This way, you won’t have as many distractions and you can stay focused on the task at hand.
Rekindle Your Hobbies
If you have a hobby, you might be able to get back into it once you’ve stopped gambling. This will help you re-engage with your interests and maintain your self-esteem. It will also be a reminder that you’ve made the right decision to quit gambling.
Resolve to Stay in Recovery
After you’ve stopped gambling, you need to find a new activity that you can do that will stimulate your brain and help you to remain in recovery. This can include taking up a sport or joining a club.
You can also look for new ways to relax and de-stress. You can learn new meditation and mindfulness techniques, or you can visit a retreat center for yoga or tai chi.