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Read as much as you can about gambling addiction is the last tip on how to stop gambling I would like to show you in this article. Educating yourself about the different types of gambling, and especially the type of gambling you are stuck in is very useful. If you know what type of gambler you are, it will be much easier to handle the problem. You have alot of us on here you can talk to. I'm 23 and in 15k of debt, was once 25k. Yes it's a slow climb on this mountain of debt but think about where you will be in 1-2 years if you don't gamble. Believe me you can stop, we can all stop. I'm on day 11 after 5 years straight of gambling or thinking of gambling every day. Online gambling, things to avoid: Online gaming is enjoyable for the player, but some of the gambling stuff you need to avoid. If you don’t stop these things, you will put yourself in danger. Veterans could know something you can avoid, but you have to know if you are a newbie before you begin playing online.

• Things You Can Do To Stop Gambling Addiction
• Things You Can Do To Stop Gambling Winnings
• Things You Can Do To Stop Gambling Money

From our knowledge of gambling addiction’s triggers, we know that some people choose to gamble to fill time when they’re bored. Others gamble to avoid problems and frustration. Other problem gamblers choose to gamble as a method of relaxation or a way to celebrate good news.

Make someone else responsible for your money. Give your credit cards to someone you can trust and someone who is invested in helping you stop gambling. It helps to not have access to the money to gamble away. Whether you bet on sports, scratch cards, roulette, poker, or slots—in a casino, at the track, or online—a gambling problem can strain your relationships, interfere with work, and lead to financial disaster. You may even do things you never thought you would, like running up huge debts or even stealing money to gamble.

For a problem gambler in recovery, it is very important to identify other activities that can be done instead of gambling. Below, we look at a few healthy options for individuals looking to avoid gambling.

Boredom & Gambling Addiction Recovery

Many people start gambling to fill up free time they have. Gambling might sound like a good way to pass 30 minutes or an hour, but for people at-risk for problem gambling, this can turn into a serious issue. For recovering problem gamblers, free time and boredom can make them more likely to consider gambling again.

How can you avoid gambling when you have free time or feel bored?

• Consider creative hobbies you can do instead. Maybe you’ve always wanted to start painting or gardening. Maybe you’ve had a project you’ve wanted to finish in your garage or basement for many years. Find a way to devote your energy to something productive that will result in a creative piece you can share with family members or friends.

• Consider fitness activities that require your time frequently. Join a local softball team or running club. Even if you’re not very fit now, you can begin training for small community runs or walks, such as charity 5ks.

• Study. Learn a skill you’ve always wanted to master or study a topic you’ve wanted to understand better. You don’t have to go back to school – see what books you can check out from your local library to educate yourself.

Relaxation, Frustration & Gambling Addiction Recovery

It’s well known that many people gamble to escape frustrating problems at home and at work. By playing repetitive games for long periods of time, people are able to block out thoughts of issues that require their attention and consideration.

Trying to escape and ignore problems often creates even bigger problems. We must be prepared to handle issues that come our way, even when frustration, disappointment or stress threaten to make our days very difficult.

How can you keep frustration or stress from making you want to escape? What relaxation techniques can make you better prepared to handle stress?

• Write. Start a journal that allows you to jot down your fears, your stresses and your problems. Your journal can also allow you to reflect on good days, progress in your gambling addiction recovery, and memories you want to keep a record of. A few minutes of writing every day is therapeutic for many people.

• Meditate. Whether you meditate at home alone or join a class in your community that teaches relaxation techniques (such as a beginner’s yoga class), learn how to clear your mind and use breathing techniques to relax your body and refresh yourself.

• Walk. Fitness activities aren’t just great ways to pass time – low-impact exercises such as walking can help you relax, as well. Get outside and enjoy fresh air. Deep breathes and a short walk around the block can release tension. Physical activity during the day can also help you sleep better at night.

Celebration & Gambling Addiction Recovery

People gambling to do more than escape problems – some are gambling on good days, as well. Many people choose to go to casinos, buy lottery tickets or do other gambling activities when they’re in a good mood and looking to continue enjoying their day. Unfortunately, people at-risk for problem gambling and people in recovery can’t gamble as a method of celebration or as a way to spend the day with family members and friends.

Things You Can Do To Stop Gambling Addiction

What are some positive activities that can be done, instead?

Things You Can Do To Stop Gambling Winnings

• Enjoy a trip to a local recreational venue. You might not go to a casino or bar – but what about a family-friendly park or zoo?
• Volunteer. Find a local organization you can encourage your family members or friends to support with you, and enjoy that time spent with loved ones and strangers while supporting the community.
• Explore. Where can you hike on a sunny afternoon? Where’s the best place in the city to see the stars at night? Get to know the region you live in better.

Surround yourself with people supportive of your recovery. These people will understand when you can’t go to the casino, won’t bet in an office pool or don’t want to go to the sports bar to watch the game. These people will be able identify many, many ways to spend days and nights without putting your problem gambling recovery in jeopardy.

Are you a recovering problem gambler or professional who works with gambling addiction? What activities do you recommend?

Gambling has become more and more prominent in our society andaccess to gambling is very present, especially in Oregon. I have agreat deal of experience treating problem gamblers and theirfamilies. I have included here a short article that I wrote aboutproblem gambling and recovery.

Nobody wakes up one day and decides to become a gamblingaddict. Gambling usually begins as a recreational activity - it's away to spend time with friends while enjoying the game and theexcitement of the chance to win a few bucks. Recreational gamblersgenerally stick to a time and money budget. When they reach theirlimit, they stop and move on to the next activity.

Things You Can Do To Stop Gambling Money

Not so for the pathological gambler. Gambling addicts are notreally all that interested in winning or losing. Their main goal is tostay in action as long as possible. That action increases the levelsof certain chemicals in their brain, primarily dopamine andadrenaline, and those chemicals cause the gambler to feel happy andexcited. These are the same brain chemicals that are activated bycocaine use. Using modern imaging tools, we see that brain scans ofgamblers in action look practically identical to brains that are highon cocaine. Winning is good because it provides money to extend thegambling action. Money represents nothing more than the fuel to keepthe gambling going and the action keeps whatever painful thoughts andfeelings that the gambler is seeking to escape, at bay.

There are usually several distinct phases of gambling addiction:the winning phase, the losing phase and the desperation phase. As thedisease progresses from winning into losing and desperation, gamblersoften turn to criminal activity to fund their addiction. They will lieand steal from those close to them - family, friends, husbands, wives,parents and children. Some gamblers ultimately turn to suicide. Infact, gamblers attempt suicide at a rate that far exceeds that ofalmost any other clinical population. Forty-eight percent of gamblersin treatment in Oregon have had suicidal thoughts and nine percenthave made suicide attempts.

All of this occurs despite the fact that gamblers are generallybright, creative people. Many gamblers are educated and professionallyaccomplished. In this sense, gamblers' behavior is said to beego-dystonic, which means that it is incongruent with their truenature. Behaving in ways that run so counter to who they really are,gamblers generate a great deal of internal distress as they violatetheir own personal values time and time again. As they progress in theillness, they become more and more disconnected from loved ones, theirprofessional lives and themselves. Their dishonesty is not only towardothers, but also toward themselves.

Many people believe that if a gambler is losing excessive amountsof time and money gambling, they should just stop. The fact is,gambling addicts cannot 'just stop' any more than an alcoholic or drugaddict can stop using their drug of choice. Gambling addiction causeschanges in the gambler's brain in ways that require treatment andrecovery to arrest the addiction.

When gambling stops (usually when there's no more money), thegambler crashes - financially, physically, mentally, emotionally andspiritually. This crash is a combination of the gambler's realizationof the money and time lost, and the decrease in dopamine levels in thebrain that can lead to desperate thoughts and behavior. This is alsowhen gamblers may realize that they need professional help.

Recovery from gambling addiction begins with the gambler making anhonest assessment of his or her situation and deciding that they wantto stop gambling. The gambler must initiate abstinence and putbarriers in place to prevent access to money. Family members andfriends may be enlisted to help the gambler manage finances and theymust understand that the gambler is incapable of handling moneyresponsibly at this time.

Once the gambler has some time away from gambling and their systembegins to regain equilibrium, the confusion and mental fog created by gamblingwill begin to ease. Therapy can then address the issues that led themto gambling in the first place. For many, gambling is not their firstaddiction. Often gamblers have had previous problems with alcoholand/or other drugs, or compulsive shopping, spending, sex oreating. It is important to note that until the core issues areaddressed and resolved, individuals disposed to addiction will simplytrade one addiction for another. It is an attempt to mask the pain intheir lives. True recovery is achieved by doing the hard work tounderstand and make peace with life's difficulties.

Recovery from gambling addiction is a marathon, not a sprint. Itrequires effort, diligence and lifestyle changes that keep one healthyand safe from the cravings to gamble that will most surelyarise. Exercise, sleeping well, eating a healthy diet and maintainingnurturing relationships are all important parts of healthyrecovery.

The ready availability of gambling has made it possible forgambling addiction to run rampant. In Oregon, gambling is as close asthe corner deli. Gambling addiction destroys lives and familieswithout bias - it affects men and women, young and old, rich andpoor. Like all addictions, it is a disease. But there is hope. Whenaddicts and families seek and engage professional help, true recoveryis possible.

© 2011 John Benassu, MA, LPC All Rights Reserved.