How Do You Control Gambling Addiction
Are you finding it hard to control your betting habit? Read through for tips on how to bet responsibly.
Betting on your favorites like football, basketball, hockey, baseball and racing can earn you a fortune. The hard truth is that wagering is addictive and can be very dangerous if not controlled properly.
If you are addicted, it will take time for your body to get used to this new habit. You may feel like you have no control over yourself when you gamble. This feeling makes it hard to stop. The good news is that there are ways to overcome addiction.
Continue reading for more tips when wagering
How do I know I’m addicted to gambling?
If you find yourself spending more than $100 per week on gambling activities or losing sleep because of these activities, then you probably need some help. Gambling problems usually start with small amounts of money at first.
As the problem grows, so does the amount spent. Eventually, people lose everything they own in order to keep up their losses. They often borrow from friends and family members just to pay off debts incurred by gambling.
Some gamblers even steal to support their habits. When someone has an uncontrollable urge to bet, he/she becomes obsessed with winning. People who suffer from compulsive gambling tend to spend all day long thinking about how much money they could win next.
Many times, they think about nothing else but betting. In fact, many gamblers cannot concentrate on anything other than what they plan to wager on. These thoughts cause them to become irritable and angry. Sometimes, they experience depression as well. Other signs include: –
- Feeling restless or agitated after being away from home for any length of time.
- Spending large sums of money without having enough income coming into the household.
- Losing track of time while playing games such as roulette, blackjack, craps, etc.
- Being unable to work due to lack of concentration
- Having trouble sleeping
- Experiencing mood
Tips on how to deal with gambling addiction
Get professional help. A lot of people don’t realize that they’re suffering from a serious mental illness until it’s too late. Many addicts end up going through years of treatment before getting better.
Find out why you want to quit. Ask yourself questions like “Why am I doing this?” and “What would happen if I didn’t?”. Once you’ve answered those questions, you’ll be able to figure out whether quitting is really worth it.
Make sure you have a strong support system. Your loved ones should understand that you need help. Tell them exactly what kind of help you need. Let them know that you won’t be around forever; therefore, they shouldn’t expect you to always be available 24 hours a day.
Set realistic goals. Instead of saying things like “I’ll never touch another card again” or “I promise I’ll only play once every two weeks”, set specific goals instead. For example, say something like “I’ll only go to casinos twice a month”. By setting reasonable limits, you’ll avoid falling back into old patterns.
Be honest with yourself. Know where you stand right now. Are you ready to give up gambling completely? Do you still enjoy it occasionally? If not, there are ways to make your life less stressful. You can try different types of therapy, counseling sessions, self-help groups, hypnosis, meditation, yoga and exercise programs.Talk to your doctor about which methods might benefit you most.
Keep busy. It may seem counterintuitive at first, but staying active will actually reduce stress levels. Try taking walks in nature, exercising regularly, volunteering, joining clubs, reading books, watching movies, listening to music, gardening, visiting friends, attending social events, meeting new people, learning new skills, and so forth.
Verdict
Are you practicing responsible betting? Many betting sites have guides on how to bet responsibly. Some even offer counseling services if you need guidance. Check the betting site and ask for help if you need it.
