How to Stop Gambling
Gambling addiction can be a debilitating mental illness online casino singapore, causing people to lose a lot
of money and even destroy relationships. It affects people of all ages, although it
often starts during adolescence and progresses as adults lead busier lives with more
stress and temptation. It is a complex disorder that requires professional help to
overcome, but there are steps you can take to prevent relapse.
Accepting that you have a gambling problem is the first step to recovery. This takes
a lot of courage and strength, especially for those who have suffered significant
financial loss, or lost control of their finances due to gambling problems. It can also
cause serious emotional stress. If you’re unable to admit that you have a gambling
problem, it may be best to seek therapy from a qualified addiction therapist.
Changing your lifestyle to avoid triggers is essential for stopping gambling addiction.
This could mean avoiding high-risk situations such as using credit cards, taking out
loans or carrying large amounts of money with you. It can also include avoiding
gambling venues and not using gaming as a way of socialising, or using gambling as
a reaction to emotions such as boredom or depression.
You can also make a list of your triggers and find ways to avoid them. For example,
if driving past a casino sparks thoughts of gambling, try going a different route to
work. If watching sports causes you to think of betting, turn off the TV or look for
other sporting events to watch. Having healthy hobbies can also reduce cravings for
gambling, so you should try to fill the time that you used to spend gambling with
other activities, such as playing a sport, joining a gym or a book club, or getting
involved in your local community.
It’s also important to stay away from friends and family who gamble, as they can
trigger a relapse. If you’re a family member of someone with a gambling problem,
you should talk to them about their addiction and offer support in overcoming it.
However, it’s vital to understand that it’s the person with the gambling problem who
must decide to stop. You can encourage them to seek help and be supportive, but
it’s up to them to make the decision.
If you’re a family member of a problem gambler, you can also try to prevent relapse
by taking responsibility for your own finances and removing access to the gambling
website or apps. You can also set limits in how much you allow them to spend. If
they have a hard time sticking to these limits, you can also consider hiring a
professional gambling counselor to help them.
Many families struggle to cope with a loved one’s addiction to gambling. It’s
common for this addiction to cause severe financial stress and strained or broken
relationships, especially when it leads to bankruptcy. Some families choose to
separate their financial accounts and give the problematic gambler only a small
percentage of the household income. You can also help them to find healthier
activities that will replace gambling in their lives and try to address any underlying
mood disorders that could be making the problem worse.