Do you want to quit gambling? And yet, you don’t know where to start? Quitting gambling addiction can be challenging for anyone and some of this can be next to impossible.
What is a gambling addiction?
It is a type of disorder wherein you cannot control the urge to gamble. And oftentimes, it gives a negative consequence to your life and your loved ones. With gambling addiction, you tend to gamble all the time. Whether you are broke or flush, or when you are up or down, you keep on gambling. And regardless of the consequences – whether it is good or not, you cannot afford to stop. Read how casinos help you with a responsible bet.
Gambling addiction can disrupt your life.
A lot of gamblers also suffer from stress or anxiety when they experience gambling addiction. Illegal substance abuse, unmanaged ADHD, or bipolar disorder are also associated with this addiction.
What factors contribute to the development of gambling addiction?
When it comes to gambling addiction, there are a lot of factors that contribute to it. This includes:
- The desperation of getting easy money.
- Also, the “high” feeling comes from the excitement of gambling.
- The intoxicating ambiance of the gambling scene.
How to avoid gambling addiction?
A lot of people say that you need to stay away from gambling. But that was easier to say than done. Wanting to stop gambling can be a daunting and challenging task. Sometimes, it feels next to impossible to quit. But once you have to stop your gambling addiction, you need to maintain abstinence.
Understanding gambling urges and compulsion
As soon as you start gambling for the first time, you will feel gambling urges and compulsions as well. And these urges will gradually develop into addiction over time.
Thus, the development of this problem varies for the individual. Also, there are times that it develops more quickly when you gamble more frequently, especially in online betting. Playing online slots in Singapore also contributes to the development of gambling addiction. This is due to the reason that it is easy to play and win money.
By understanding your gambling urges and compulsion, you now have an idea of how to stop them.
Accepting that you have a gambling problem
- To identify that you have gambling, you must at least 4 or more of these signs:
- Gambling with an increasing amount of money.
- You feel restless and irritable when not gambling.
- Unsuccessful attempts to control or stop your gambling urges.
- Always thinking about gambling. And constantly make plans to gamble.
- You tend to gamble when you feel distressed.
- Repeatedly gambling even after a losing streak.
- Lying about your gambling activities.
- Prioritizing gambling over family relationships and work.
- Borrowing money from others to spend on gambling
If you notice that you are experiencing some of these issues. You need to accept that you have a gambling problem. And you need to do something to address it when you are playing at online casino in Singapore.
Confiding in people you trust about your gambling addiction
You can talk to the people you trust. By doing so, your friends and family can help you avoid and solve your gambling problems.
Replace gambling with other activities
To stop gambling addiction, you need to look for alternatives to gambling. You can start considering doing things that you used to love before gambling took over. And if you feel that these do no longer enjoyable. Consider trying new and thrilling activities. Also, develop new skills or habits that can keep you away from gambling.
Some gambling alternatives:
- Doing physical activity
- Meditation
- Spending more time with loved ones and friends
- Exploring new hobbies
- Develop a new skill
- Volunteering
- Traveling
There are tons of ways how to avoid gambling addiction. You must avoid what triggers your gambling urges. Also, look for healthy alternatives that will keep you away from gambling.
Do not hesitate to seek professional help
Have you noticed that your gambling problem is severe? Do not hesitate to seek professional help immediately.
Seeking help to stop gambling addiction? A gambling counselor can teach you effective ways to stay away from gambling. Aside from that, they can give you treatments like:
1. Therapy
Gambling addiction can be a mental or behavioral disorder. A professional counselor can give you behavior therapy or behavioral therapy. And this can help you reduce your urges to gamble. Plus, it can help you change the way how you feel and think about gambling.
2. Medication
Aside from therapy, the worst gambling problems may need medications. Antidepressants and other mood stabilizers can help minimize your illness and symptoms that are sometimes associated with gambling addiction.
3. Self-help groups
Speaking with people with the same problems can also help you overcome your problems. There are a lot of support groups that are specifically built around the needs of people with gambling addictions. Moreover, they can help you how effectively address your gambling addictions.
Avoiding temptation
And if you have successfully avoided gambling, stay away from it religiously. Try to avoid any temptation to completely recover from your addiction. You can sign-up for the self-exclusion programs of online casino in Singapore. In this way, you can permanently exclude yourself directly from these sites. Aside from that, you can also contact state gambling authorities to exclude you from all gambling within your residence.
By avoiding temptation and triggers, you can also avoid thinking and feelings that trigger gambling.
Gambling Addiction FAQs:
What is a gambling addiction?
Gambling addiction or problem is a type of mental disorder. Wherein, you cannot control the urges to gamble. Oftentimes, it gives a negative consequence to your life and your loved ones. Whether you are broke or flush, or when you are up or down, you keep on gambling. And regardless of the consequences – whether it is good or not, you cannot afford to stop.
How to avoid gambling addiction?
Keeping away from your gambling addiction can be a daunting task. There are a lot of ways to address your gambling problems. Also, there are institutions, groups, and professionals that are ready to assist you.
How can I avoid the urge to gamble?
Once you feel the urge to gamble, you can distract yourself as well as limit your access to money. You need to immediately do something to stay away from gambling.
