How to stop Gambling Addiction
Learn how to stop gambling – these comprise the same principles that apply for all addictions.
Tried and tested methods to stop Addiction
Stopping gambling addiction requires that you take your time to understand what is needed. And then when you are ready, your gambling addiction will fade away on its own.
Understanding Gambling Addiction
Gambling addiction is a very pure type of addiction as there are no substances taken. It is also legal and of itself is not shameful. But as gambling develops into an addiction, it tends to become a solitary activity. Yes the betting shop may be full with people, but you are alone in there. And now online gambling has become easy and accessible.
Also, most addicted gamblers put a fair amount of effort and make use of a significant level of expertise in the bets they place.
Finally and since the ostensible purpose is to make money, it is possible to justify the effort made and the unfortunate costs involved (as the losses mount and the temptation to double up becomes irresistible), as being in your long-term interest and in the interests of your family and those you love.
Notwithstanding, the principles that lie behind successful recovery from addiction apply equally well to stop gambling addictions. This is because all addictive behaviours have much more in common than they have addiction specific differences.
My Four Guiding to stop Gambling Addiction
First, realise that willpower on its own is not enough
Just consider some of the powerful emotions at work that are feeding your gambling addiction. The feeling of power and control as you make the gamble, Then, the buzz from the memory of past triumphs, particularly that early one. And the feeling of escape and the protection and relief you will get from all those life problems which are crowding in.
So you need to confront these powerful emotions early on or else they will always win.
Second take your time
Just as you would not build a house without good foundations, so you cannot stop gambling, if large parts of the rest of life are in a mess.
And it goes without saying that your key relationships will be bad or nonexistent. There may also be problems with the work you do and how much control you feel that you have.
Now these problems might predate your gambling addiction and/or have been made much worse by it. Whatever it is, you cannot hope to jump out of the addiction without having somewhere to land and somewhere that you believe you can go.
So it might be tiny steps that you take at the beginning to show you the possibility of a more fulfilling life and bring you a measure of control. And then you can stop your addiction.
Third, change the relationship to your gambling dependence
It’s about being less friendly toward it and separating you from it but not necessarily to begin to hate it. It is after all doing its best to keep you safe and it does reflect something of your personality – who you are and what makes you tick. And so it is much better to learn and adjust, to find better and healthier ways to be fulfilled and stretched.
Fourth, know that when the time comes you will be ready to be stopping the gambling addiction
This is my central insight, borne from my work with many addicted individuals. It is the realisation that when the ducks are in a row, your gambling will either stop or cease to be a problem.
At that time, you will have replaced it with activities that are more satisfying, that you will be feeling better about yourself, that you are calmer and more in control of your emotions. It is that you have not recovered from your gambling addiction but moved beyond it to something much better.
My Moving Beyond Addiction Audio Programme will be an essential part of your therapy with me.
Or you can buy it and work on your own. Find out more.
Addiction Tools
The Cuckoo in the nest
Why are addictions so hard to beat
The stages of quitting
Recovery path in outline
Your addiction Time Line
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