How to Stop Gambling
Gambling can be quite enjoyable as long as it is a fun activity, but the moment you allow it to turn into a compulsive habit - it can start causing severe harm. Gambling addiction is a real problem all around the globe. However, a bettor should always view gambling for what it is - a source of paid entertainment. This guide delves into how one can recognize signs of problem gambling, tips for dealing with the issue, and solutions for diverting your focus elsewhere. Gambling addiction is a real problem, but it’s nothing to be scared of. With the right support and mindset, anyone can overcome this issue.
Key Takeaways:
- A gambling problem occurs when people cannot control their betting and the money they spend on it.
- There are always early warning signs that can be used to recognize a gambling problem.
- Gambling addiction can be overcome through professional help and personal commitment.
- Replacing one’s time with other productive activities is a good way to overcome problem gambling.
What is Problem Gambling?
We’ve established that gambling addiction is a big problem, but what exactly classifies as problem gambling? In simple words, problem gambling refers to a condition where individuals cannot control their gambling activities and start spending excessive amounts of money on betting.
This becomes an issue when people start dipping into their savings or taking out loans just to be able to place another bet. A 2022 study discovered that in the past 12 months, around 10 million adults had reached out for help related to gambling addiction or problem gambling.
When left unchecked for a long time, it can even develop into a gambling disorder, where the person cannot control themselves from betting, despite multiple tries. Problem gambling does not only have financial effects, but it also affects the individual’s productivity, professional career, and relationships with family members and other loved ones. Thus, problem gambling poses a threat not just to the bettor but to anyone who is a part of their inner circle.
How to Recognize Compulsive Gambling?
Compulsive gambling does not begin out of the blue; early warning signs are always there. These help you identify when you, or a loved one, might be going down the path of becoming a problem gambler. Here are some of the most common signs that you should be on the lookout for and that will help you identify the onset of a gambling problem:
- Gambling increasingly excessive amounts of money.
- Taking out loans to place more bets or dipping into savings accounts.
- Constantly chasing losses and trying to win back lost money.
- Going through gambling withdrawal, i.e., feeling depressed, anxious, stressed, or irritable when trying to stay away from gambling.
- Using gambling as a coping mechanism for life’s troubles.
- Trying to stop gambling but not succeeding despite multiple tries.
- Slacking away at work or professional responsibilities because of gambling.
- Isolating oneself from friends and family.
- Lying about one’s gambling activities or trying to cover them up.
- Being unable to stop thinking about gambling, even when involved in other activities.
- Letting go of social hangouts, professional responsibilities, and other hobbies, only to spend most of the day placing bets.
- Being unable to stop playing even when you’re constantly losing.
This is a non-exhaustive list of how a gambling problem might manifest. Obviously, a person doesn’t need to have all of these issues in order for it to be a cause of alarm. However, even a few of these symptoms should be treated with concern. If you have witnessed any of these characteristics in either yourself or someone around you, it’s time to take steps that help you curb your gambling problem before it gets worse.
How Do I Stop Gambling?
Recognizing the problem and accepting that you might have a gambling issue is just the first step. Once you’ve made your peace with this fact, then you can move on to concrete steps that will help you deal with the problem. There are several options that one can try for this purpose. Here are some that we recommend:
- Identify your gambling triggers
This is specifically for individuals who find themselves using gambling as a coping mechanism. In this case, you should pinpoint the emotional or circumstantial triggers that lead you to develop gambling urges.
Once you have an idea of that, you can find other coping mechanisms to deal with your stressors. For example, if you find yourself wanting to gamble every time you feel angry, you can move towards other activities that help you relieve that anger, such as going for a run.
Identifying your triggers is the first step in taking back control and preventing your emotions from controlling you. This is also the first step in recovery because it allows you to recognize when you feel the urge to gamble.
- Talk to a loved one.
Once you’ve recognized that there is an issue with your gambling habits, talking to a loved one can be one of the first steps in finding a solution. Addiction is a difficult thing to deal with, especially if you’re doing it all by yourself. Instead of going down that route, try confiding in someone you trust.
They might be able to offer you insights of their own while also helping you monitor your behavior and keeping you on track whenever you get the urge to gamble again. They can also help you seek professional advice. Being able to rely on a loved one during your recovery process can be quite beneficial, making the entire process easier to get through.
- Cut off your access to gambling opportunities.
This is one of the most crucial steps to take in your recovery journey. People who have issues with gambling will always find themselves drifting back to the activity until they cut it off at the very root.
Every casino, land-based or online, offers a cooling-off period and self-exclusion limits that gamblers can use to bar themselves from a casino for a particular amount of time. Both of these come with different conditions, but the main idea is that the casino will not allow you to place any more bets or deposit more money for a while.
Utilizing these casino responsible gambling tools can make sure that you stay away from gambling because you will not have access to it anymore. Make sure to enter into these periods in all the casinos you frequently visit, so that you have no options to turn to when the impulsive gambling urges strike.
- Do away with the stigma
Addiction is often shamed in our society, with the individuals being blamed for their struggle. This can create an environment that isn’t conducive to growth and recovery but rather causes further stress and anxiety.
As an individual struggling with any form of problem gambling, you should try surrounding yourself with individuals who do not judge you for any of these issues. Furthermore, you should also make sure not to internalize the labels that society may put on you.
Once we detach the stigma that comes with ‘gambling addiction,’ we can adequately seek the help we need without feeling bad about it.
- Join a support group
Just like confiding in a loved one can help, so can sharing your feelings with someone who knows exactly what you’re going through. Support groups are useful because they allow people to connect with others who have been in their shoes.
Community support is essential in the recovery process, and it comes best from people who are coping with the same things as you are. This way, everyone can share their stories and support each other in their respective journeys.
Gamblers Anonymous is one of the most popular support groups for gambling addiction, having meetings in the USA, the UK, and even in Canada. However, there will also be other local support groups that you can look up in your area’s directory. Just make sure to attend one which is led by an experienced professional.
- Seek other forms of professional help
In addition to joining a support group, you can also talk one-on-one to an addiction specialist. Meeting with an expert in this format will allow you to develop a specialized recovery plan with personalized recoveries suited to your circumstances and struggles.
Professional help is a key step in overcoming your problem gambling because it can offer resources that you may not find otherwise. A lot of people hesitate to take up this option because it can cost them a lot, but there are other options to explore.
There are always some addiction therapists who will be willing to take health insurance. You can contact your insurance provider for more information on this. Some therapists are willing to change their payment structure depending on how much their clients can afford, so it’s always good to bring up that conversation.
Resources to Overcome Gambling Addiction
Here are some of the most common professional resources, other than Gamblers Anonymous, that can help you overcome your gambling addiction. You can use them either for self-help or to connect with a professional who could offer you expert advice:
National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-GAMBLER): This is a helpline operated by the US official resource on gambling addiction: the National Council on Problem Gambling.
GamCare: UK-based gamblers can either call the GamCare helpline at 0808 8020 133, or they can utilize the online chat room options to discuss their gambling-related issues.
Responsible Gambling Council: This is one of the most important gambling resources for Canadians because this is their one-stop shop for locating problem gambling tools near their own location.
GamStop: This is an online self-exclusion tool that UK-based gamblers can use. Once they register for this service, they will not be able to use any gambling websites that are run by companies licensed in the UK.
Where to Invest Your Time, Money, and Energy Instead
If you find yourself feeling more stressed than entertained when it comes to placing bets, it might be a sign that you’re at risk of developing a serious addiction. This occurs because money is a tricky thing to put at stake, and it often leads people to start considering gambling as a form of income.
The thing about gambling is that you might be able to quit it, but it will leave a void in your life if you are struggling with addiction. That can be a big issue, especially because it may give rise to a chance of relapse. However, there are other things that can be a productive use of your time, money, and energy while also keeping you away from gambling activity. Some options include:
- Find investment opportunities for your money: Gambling might not be a consistent source of income, but a well-planned investment definitely can be. This way, you’ll be putting your money into a productive source, which will have much higher chances to pay out, as compared to any bet or wager you could place in a casino. Just make sure to do your research about any particular investment option that you’re considering.
- Learn a sport: This is especially recommended for those who are addicted to sports betting. If there’s a sport that you’re placing bets on all day, maybe it’s time to get out into the field and start playing it yourself. Not only will you be giving yourself another hobby that takes your mind off of gambling, but your body will thank you for the physical activity as well.
- Get into a new hobby: If playing sports doesn’t cut it for you, it’s not a worry at all; there are tons of other hobbies that you could try getting into. You could explore new options, or you could also rekindle an old hobby that you moved away from because of gambling. All that matters is finding something that you enjoy doing and that is also a good use of your time.
- Start planning your days - even the fun parts: People are often addicted to gambling because they’re using it to satisfy their boredom cravings. However, a good way to not get bored is to have things planned ahead of time. Every weekend, try setting out your schedule for the coming week. In addition to your responsibilities and duties, also schedule time for yourself, with loved ones, and for fun activities. If you have other productive things filling your day instead of sitting idly, you won’t find yourself being pulled to gambling again and again.
- Be careful around particular gambling occasions: This is also a tip geared more towards sports gamblers. Cutting down your exposure to sports matches during high-profile tournaments can be a good way of skipping the urge to gamble. The fewer matches you watch, the less enticed you will be to place bets on the outcome. Stop following team drafts and predictions as well, so you don’t find yourself wondering whether you have cracked the winning teams.
Final Thoughts
Problem gambling, gambling disorders, or gambling addiction - these are all problems that anyone can struggle with. However, with support and help, these are issues that can be overcome. Instead of falling into despair, problem gamblers need to build a support system around themselves while also building up their own resilience to their gambling urges. With time and effort, even the most compulsive of gamblers can move away from their habits.
