Beating Gambling Addiction by Yourself

Beating Gambling Addiction by Yourself Also referred to as compulsive gambling, gambling addiction is considered to be a form of impulse-control disorder. Currently, this problem is affecting between 2 and 4 percent of the population. Gamblers affected by this problem continue betting whether they are broke or flush, down or up, depressed or happy. They will continue gambling, even when the odds are against them or even when they cannot afford to lose the bet.

Do I Have a Gambling Addiction?


How do you know that you are addicted to gambling? If the following conditions apply to you, then you are probably addicted to gambling.

• If you take off time from work to gamble


• If you are in debt and are afraid of the debt collectors coming to your house


• If you spend most of your time gambling rather than doing other things


• If you prioritize gambling above other things, including work, hobbies, friends and family


• If you lie to your friends regarding your financial situation


• If you spend more time at the gambling point than your home


• If you are borrowing money to gamble


• If you stole money to gamble


• If you lie about betting online or visiting betting shops


• If you constantly think about betting


• If you still want to go on gambling, even after you have lost the bet


• If you find those close to you start asking whether you were gambling or stop trusting you with money


• If you feel aggressive or agitated when you lose a bet


• If you are thrilled by taking huge gambling risks or you're increasingly taking larger gambling risks


• If you use gambling to escape from feelings of Depression, guilt and helplessness or problems


• If you feel remorse and guilt after gambling

If more than six of these conditions apply to you, then you are most likely addicted to gambling.

Basically, gambling addiction kicks in after repeated gambling over a considerable period. However, on rare occasions, the vice will creep in after the first bet. Many people enjoy social gambling for a long period without experiencing any problem, but increased frequency of gambling, coupled with life Stresses can turn an otherwise casual gambling into an addiction.

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Is There Any Treatment Available for Gambling Addiction?
Dealing with gambling addiction can be an uphill task as most of the addicts have difficulty admitting their addiction to the vice. Since most of the solution lies in admitting that you are addicted, failing to acknowledge that would make the treatment complicated. Basically, there're two main approaches to combat the addiction.

1. Psychotherapy
Psychological treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and behavior therapy may be used to treat this compulsive betting. With behavior therapy, you make use of systematic exposure to the vice you would like to get rid of–gambling, and learn various skills on how to minimize the urge to gamble. Cognitive behavioral therapy, on the other hand, capitalizes on identifying the negative, irrational and unhealthy beliefs and replacing them with positive and healthy ones.

2. Medications
To treat problems associated with compulsive gambling, you may need to use medications, such as mood stabilizers and antidepressants. These medications play a major role in dealing with problems like the obsessive-compulsive disorder, ADHD and depression, associated with gambling addiction. However, medications cannot be used to cure the compulsive gambling itself. Other medications, such as narcotic antagonists, that have been proven to treat substance abuse may also be of help.

What Else Can I Do to Beat a Gambling Addiction?
There're times when you can beat the addiction by yourself if you're really determined to get rid of it. All you have to do is make up your mind, find some distractions and stick to your plan.

1. Find Alternative Ways to Cope With Negative Feelings
Negative feelings, including loneliness, depression, stress and Anxiety can either trigger or worsen compulsive gambling. Following an argument with your spouse or a stressful day at work, many people think that an evening at the casino or the track can help them alleviate the negative feelings. There are various considerably cheaper and healthy ways of keeping these negative feelings at bay, such as meditating, exercising, practicing new hobbies, exploring relaxation techniques or meeting with friends. Even after gambling, the problem that drove you to gamble will still remain. As such, it is better to find healthy ways of dealing with stressful situations, rather than gambling.

2. Eliminate Harmful Elements in Your Life
The best way to deal with gambling addiction is to identify the elements of your life that drive you into gambling and replacing them with healthier choices. Some of the elements that may lead you into gambling include:

• Decision: Prior to gambling, you must have made the decision to gamble. If you experience the urge to gamble, you should try to avoid it by stopping what you are doing and maybe calling a friend. Additionally, you should also think of the consequences of gambling.


• Money: Betting cannot happen without money. If you are addicted to the vice, allow someone else to manage your money, including credit cards and always have limited amount of money on you.


• Time:You should also keep yourself occupied to avoid getting free time to gamble.


• Environment:Without a game, there is no bet. Therefore, avoid visiting gambling establishments and locations to avoid the temptation to gamble.

3. Deal With Gambling Cravings
The urge to gamble is normal, as you try to alleviate the vice. This will make it even harder for you as you try to adjust to healthier choices. The following strategies can help you deal with the challenge:

• Get help: If you have the craving, call a trusted friend or family member and meet for coffee or something else.


• Find some diversions:Distract yourself from the thoughts by maybe going to the gym or cleaning the house.


• Postpone gambling:Convince your body that you will go for gambling after some time, as time passes, the urge may disappear.


• Avoid isolation:If loneliness drives you to gamble, create healthy social networks by connecting with old friends and finding new ones.

Although the urge may be hard to overcome, do not be too hard on yourself. Overcoming the addiction is a gradual process. Continue working on these strategies and you will gradually recover.

For more facts on gambling addiction, watch this video

Gambling Addiction

Gambling Addiction






Getting involved in occasional gambling or betting games can be quite common in our life, but it should not become a habit. Addiction can be defined as irresistible temptation in doing something in spite of the fact that the person knows that it can seriously affect his/her life and relationship. Gambling addiction or gambling disorder or compulsive gambling is the feeling of uncontrollable urge to involve in gambling regardless of the consequences. If you are getting yourself into gambling you may start chasing bets losing all your savings and many times you would borrow funds or take loans and sometimes indulge in stealing money to satisfy your addiction.

Gambling on anything would stimulate your brain and it would have the same effect on you, as alcohol or other substance. Any person who gets attached to gambling will not hesitate to indulge in fraudulent activities to get money. Gambling addiction is (without doubt) a serious condition but with suitable professional help and family support you can get out of it.

Symptoms :

The behavior and interest shown by the person of gambling disorder is totally different from that of occasional gambler. Gambling addiction will lead you to take big risks despite of the outcome. He would gain a thrill in taking part of gambling activities. He would be preoccupied with the thoughts about gambling. He would try to recollect his gambling experiences of the past.

In due course, the person would find gambling as reliable source to escape from daily problems of life. He would often take leave from work or find excuses from his family to gamble. This would give him the feelings of guilt and Depression. Most of the compulsive gamblers would lie and conceal the results of gambling. He will not hesitate to steal money or borrow funds to gamble. This would cause feeling of remorse and guilt after gambling. Even though he wanted to give up gambling his efforts end up in failing.

Gambling as such will not cause addiction. Not all the people who gamble are compulsive gamblers. There are still plenty of people who spend years on gambling without any addiction. Frequent stress can turn a casual gambler into compulsive gambler in due course. Gambling addicted person will be attending work in his office but his concern would be focused on how to borrow money or how to win the game. Placing big bets and taking increasingly high risks becomes his daily activity. Gambling disorder will force the person to place bets irrespective of the loss since they believe the entire money can be recovered. Casual gamblers will know their limit and stop gambling once they reach the loss limit whereas compulsive gamblers cannot.

Points to Consider :

You need professional help and counseling to stop gambling if the following statement explains your quality.

• Gambling has started affecting your relationships or workplace or finance.


• You have started spending more of your time in gambling activities.


• Have trouble in controlling the urge to gamble.


• You have sincerely tried to stop gambling but all in vain.


• You are telling lies to your family and try to conceal your gambling activities.


• Finally you have started to indulge in fraud or stealing money for the purpose of gambling.


• You feel depressed and guilty after gambling


• You become restless and irritable while trying to cut down gambling.

All the above sentences indicate that gambling has become out of control in your life.

Causes :

Why some people are enjoying gambling and others have become addicted to it is still not known. Gambling addiction is believed to be caused due to biological, social and genetic factors.

Risk Factors :

Men rather than women are at high risk of getting into addiction to gamble. People with personality disorders, people who are alcoholic or those with substance abuse are at increased risk of developing gambling addiction. Young aged and middle aged people are the right target of gambling addiction. People with family history of gamblers are at risk and people who are basically competitive in nature and those who are restless and workaholic can develop addiction to gambling.

Diagnosis :

As per the criteria suggested by the DSM of American Psychiatric Association, an individual should have at least 4 of the above said points to be categorized as gambling addicted.

Treatment :

It is difficult to treat patients with gambling addiction since most of the people would not accept that they have a problem. Once the person acknowledges his problem gradually it can be treated. Like other diseases, gambling addiction cannot be cured with medications alone. The thought of stopping gambling should come from the heart of the affected person. Usually combined approach of psychotherapy and medications are effective.

Psychotherapy methods like CBT Cognitive Behavioral Therapy are ideal to stop compulsive gambling. Here the psychologist would use systematic exposure technique to develop the skills to control the urge to gamble. This therapy would help in removing unhealthy and negative beliefs about gambling and replace them with positive thoughts. Mood stabilizing and antidepressant drugs are prescribed for people diagnosed with gambling addiction and depression.

Self help groups like Gambling Anonymous offer a great help in treating gambling addiction. Even with the above methods, there is a chance for you to get back to gambling, if you meet and spend time with regular gamblers. Relapse is quite common in treating gambling addiction, but you can reroute your thought by actively participating in other healthy social acts. Join yoga class and practice meditation to strengthen your mind. Do regular exercise and involve in healthy social clubs. It is challenging to find alternate ways to overcome the feelings of guilt and depression without gambling.

Total recovery is possible with family support and will power. Think about the benefits you derive by stopping gambling. You can divert your thoughts in making money in productive ways and in spending quality time with your family. Find happiness in alternative hobbies like mountain biking or hiking that can be challenging for your energy.

Prevention :

You cannot prevent gambling from sheer will power. Tell someone that you need to stop gambling and get help from psychologist and support groups. Avoid gambling in any form and avoid people who go for regular gambling. Gambling addiction can become worse and ruin your relationship if you are not seeking help early.