How to Stop Gambling Addiction
When you have a gambling problem, it’s important to seek help. This may mean
professional treatment from a mental health specialist or a licensed therapist instant withdrawal online casino singapore. The
right treatment can stop the cycle of gambling and ensure you can live a life without
financial worry or other negative consequences.
Admitting your addiction is the first step toward recovery. This may be hard for you
or for a loved one who has struggled with gambling, but it’s necessary to take the
plunge and start healing from this addiction.
It’s also essential to seek support from your community and friends. They’ll
understand the emotional and psychological pain of a gambling addiction and be
able to offer you encouragement, support and advice.
Avoid triggers
Identify the things that make you want to gamble and do everything possible to
avoid them. For example, if you find that you tend to gamble while watching sports
or going on vacation, reducing your exposure can prevent these cravings and reduce
the risk of relapse.
Stay away from casinos, online gambling sites and other places where gaming takes
place. You should also not keep large amounts of cash on you. Instead, carry a
limited amount of money and delete sportsbook apps from your smartphone or
other devices.
Therapy is a powerful tool for treating any addiction. It helps you learn to replace
unhealthy beliefs, such as a lack of control or the gambler’s fallacy, with healthy
ones. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a good way to learn these skills, while family
therapy can help you understand why you have a problem and how to deal with it.
Medications
Taking medication to control the symptoms of your addiction is another effective
treatment option. These can include antidepressants and mood stabilizers. They can
also help you manage feelings of shame and guilt that are often a part of a gambling
addiction.
Rekindle old hobbies: You need to keep your mind active and stimulated, so it’s
important to rekindle your favorite activities after you stop gambling. This can help
you connect with other people who don’t have gambling problems and boost your
self-esteem.
Exercise: Being physically active can help you feel more relaxed and relieve stress,
which is a major trigger for many problem gamblers. Whether you play a sport,
enjoy a leisure activity like swimming or simply go for a walk, exercising regularly is
an excellent way to distract your brain from gambling urges and encourage long-
term recovery.
Art therapy: Creating something creative is another great way to get your mind off
gambling and onto something else. This can be done in the form of music, paintings
or other creative work, or you can do something more meditative like yoga or deep
breathing exercises.
Postpone temptation: When you have a gambling urge, resist the urge to gamble by
telling yourself that you’ll wait 5 minutes, 15 minutes or an hour before you give in
to it. Visualize what will happen if you don’t resist it and what will happen to you,
your family and your bank account if you do give in to the urge.