Can you Change Bad Gambling Habits?
Casinos can be a lot of fun, but they can also present a lot of problems if they aren’t used responsibly. Problem gambling is an unfortunate side effect of the casino industry that can have a negative effect on your life and the lives of your loved ones if left unaddressed. Problem gamblers aren’t people who enjoy a visit to the casino every now and then. Instead, problem gamblers have an ever-present urge to gamble that goes beyond the conscious level. If you feel ashamed and guilty about your gambling habits, taking control is essential. Luckily, there are proven strategies that can help you correct your course and eliminate the issues of problem gambling from your life.
Keep a Gambling Journal
The first step to defeating a gambling problem is realizing that there’s a problem.
Start by writing down your gambling activities – including the type of gambling, the amount of time spent and the amount of money used. It also helps to record your thoughts and feelings before and during gambling sessions. Hopefully, this will help you understand the reasons you gamble, which is a great step toward addressing the problem.
Set Goals
If you’re a problem gambler, you’re most likely gambling for a very real reason. As a result, quitting ‘cold turkey’ will be immensely difficult, if not impossible. Instead, set both short-term and long-term goals for yourself in order to cut down or give up on your gambling habit. Weaning yourself off of everything associated with gambling will likely prove much more effective than efforts to immediately quit.
Find Alternatives
Problem gambling is destructive and dangerous, but it’s also a hobby. Replace the hole that’s currently filled by gambling with new activities and hobbies. Sometimes, problem gamblers continue gambling because they don’t know what else to do with their spare time. Follow your interests, and you may find yourself in a much better place.
Avoid Risky Situations
Give yourself some help by staying out of situations that could result in terrible outcomes.
If you’re going to a gaming venue, leave credit cards and large amounts of cash at home. This is an easy way to limit your spending without the need to test your will power. Set yourself up for success, and you’ll achieve it!
Getting Help
It can feel like you’re all alone when problem gambling takes hold of your life, but you aren’t. Getting a support person to help you through the process of conquering a gambling addiction can make things much easier. Whether you enlist the help of a spouse or friend or you take part in a problem gambling support group, you may be surprised at how much a little encouragement can do when conquering gambling demons.
It’s not always easy, but conquering bad gambling habits is definitely possible with a little persistence and will power. Lean on your support system, and follow these suggestions. You could find yourself free from problem gambling sooner than you think. You can do it!
