Gambling can be a great way to have fun, but it can also be a dangerous addiction. It can cause health problems, financial issues and family turmoil. In addition, gambling can affect social relationships.
If you’re thinking about gambling, there are a few things you should know before you start. It’s important to be honest with yourself and your friends about the problem so you can get support if needed.
Changing your gambling habits can be tough, but there are ways to cut down or stop it altogether. These tips can help you to overcome your gambling issues and enjoy the life you deserve.
1. Don’t gamble when stressed – Stress is a major risk factor for gambling addiction, so try to avoid it as much as possible. There are many ways to manage your stress, including exercise, yoga, meditation, reading and writing, taking long walks, hanging out with family and friends, and deep breathing.
2. Set a gambling budget – Having a budget will help you to control how much money you spend on gambling. This will prevent you from spending too much on the games, and ensure that you have some left over to use for other activities.
3. Talk about your gambling with someone you trust – This could be a friend, family member or professional counsellor who will not judge you.
4. Set boundaries – If you are worried about a loved one’s gambling, you should set some boundaries around the money they are spending on it. It can be hard to watch someone you care about struggle with this issue, but if you do not take action, the problem will only worsen.
5. Refrain from using credit cards – Using credit cards to fund your gambling can be risky, especially if you’re trying to get your hands on large amounts of cash. It can be a good idea to keep your cards at home, so you don’t have to worry about making frequent trips to the ATM to withdraw money.
6. Don’t be afraid to ask for help – Getting professional help can often be the best solution for a gambling addiction. There are plenty of organisations that offer gambling addiction treatment and counselling services to help you with your problem.
7. Find a new hobby or activity that will fill the gap – If you’ve stopped gambling, there will be a big hole in your social calendar, so finding something else to do is a good idea.
8. Seek help from a therapist or support group – Getting professional treatment can be an effective way to tackle your problem, and can make it easier for you to give up gambling in the future.
9. Identify triggers – Triggers can be hard to ignore, but they can be important to controlling your gambling. Keeping track of the people, places and situations that trigger your gambling is key to stopping it.
10. Don’t gamble on things you don’t believe in – It is not the best idea to be betting on the outcome of a football match, for example, as it can leave you feeling vulnerable and exposed.