It’s said that nothing in life is guaranteed other than death and taxes. That inherent uncertainty can make some people wary. It can make others nervous. But for those who become addicted to gambling, that uncertainty can be a rush or a high, not unlike that of taking a drug.
However, much like taking a drug, uncontrolled gambling behavior can lead to dire consequences. Because of the harm associated with gambling, many people want to control their behavior and stop gambling.
How to Control Problem Gambling
Like any other addiction, compulsive gambling can be difficult to overcome. The urge to gamble can be irresistible for a lot of people. Fortunately, there are numerous ways for problem gamblers to take control of their behavior:
Blocking Software
Online gambling is a major concern, especially among younger people. Some apps allow a person to place bets without setting foot in a casino or contacting a bookie. Putting blockers on the phone can limit the usability of these apps, making it hard to engage in gaming behavior.
Gambling sites and apps can be very persistent, and a person may be getting ads for them constantly, so using ad blockers may help them avoid the temptation to gamble.
Self-Exclusion Program
There are also self-exclusion programs wherein a person voluntarily allows themselves to be banned from casinos and other gambling establishments. Under voluntary self-exclusion programs, a person agrees that the staff or government regulators can bar them from gambling venues.
These programs can last around 6 months, though some can last much longer. There are even programs that include lifetime bans. These programs do not work on a phone, but the blockers described above can cover that area.
Surrender Financial Control
Voluntarily surrendering financial control to another person is also an option that a person can take to get a handle on their gambling. In doing so, a person won’t have access to their funds and will be unable to use said funds to gamble.
While surrendering financial control can be hard, it can be necessary for some people to get a handle on their pathological gambling. Finding a trusted person for this is important as some people may take advantage of the situation.
Fellowships
There are fellowships such as Gamblers Anonymous that are comprised of people who are affected by gambling addiction. These fellowships can offer people a supportive community, allowing them to recover from excessive gambling together.
These fellowships can also offer support as they are vital to aftercare. The encouragement and accountability found in them can help a person stay focused on their recovery.
Professional Gambling Addiction Treatment
Aside from the above, there are professional means to help a person regain control over their gambling urges. Some of the ways to treat gambling include:
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy is an important part of treating any addiction, be it substance abuse or a behavioral addiction. In therapy, a person can address the underlying causes of their behavior as well as develop coping skills to manage their gambling triggers.
Group Therapy
Compulsive gambling can be challenging, and it can be isolating. Group therapy is for a gambler to find a community of people who have been through similar struggles and are all working towards the same goal.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapies are an important part of overcoming gambling. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help a person address the thoughts and feelings that can lead to gambling, and dialectical behavior therapy can help someone manage strong emotions without using unhealthy behavior as a coping mechanism.
Holistic Therapy
Holistic therapies can serve multiple purposes in treatment. They can help a person be more mindful of the present moment, and they can be used as activities to replace gambling when a person leaves inpatient rehab.
Financial Counseling
Treatment is not just about all the ways to stop gambling. It’s also about rebuilding after addiction. Many people who struggle with gambling addiction will need financial counseling to help them manage their money, and this is an important part of the recovery process.
What is a Gambling Problem?
A gambling addiction, also called a gambling disorder, is a behavioral health condition wherein a person gambles compulsively. A person who has this disorder isn’t necessarily chasing a win.
In many cases, they keep gambling for the sake of gambling itself. People with this disorder will continue to gamble despite suffering negative consequences as a result of their behavior.
A person can win millions of dollars in a casino, and they may not be able to stop gambling. If they ever are unable to gamble, then a person may suffer from depression or anxiety.
Effects of Excessive Gambling Behavior
Gambling can have numerous effects on a person’s life. Some of the effects of a gambling addiction include:
Financial Problems
The most prominent effect of a gambling addiction is financial difficulty. Gamblers typically lose money because the house always wins. This can lead to financial difficulties, which can lead to other problems.
Mental Health Problems
The financial difficulty that comes from gambling can lead to mental health troubles. These can include depression and anxiety. Many people can also feel deeply ashamed as they cannot pay bills or maintain other expenses. Gambling is also a major contributing factor in suicidal ideation, and problem gamblers are far more likely to attempt suicide than the general population.
Relationship Strain
The financial difficulties that a compulsive gambler often faces can lead to major lifestyle changes, such as downgrading a home or putting off things like vacations. This can cause resentment in family members, especially spouses and children.
Legal Problems
In some cases, people who are struggling with gambling addiction may turn to illegal activities such as stealing money so they can continue placing bets.
Signs and Symptoms
A gambling addiction is a condition that comes with various signs. Some of the signs of a gambling disorder include:
Secretive Behavior
Like many other forms of addiction, a person who is addicted to gambling can become secretive. They may begin taking steps to hide the effects of their addiction. With gambling, they may become protective of their financial information to hide the effects of their losses.
Isolation
Related to the above, many people who are affected by a gambling addiction may isolate themselves from their loved ones so no one who knows them ever finds out about the severity of their gambling.
Chasing Losses
When a person begins chasing losses, they continue gambling in the hopes that their luck will turn, and they’ll win enough money to cover their losses or even come out ahead. Inevitably, people who chase their losses will lose again, and they’ll only deepen the financial hole that they’re in.
Debt
Many problem gamblers acquire debt. Many exhaust their finances to gamble and then lose. Then, they borrow money to gamble some more, and they lose again, which can lead to further debt.
Invest in Your Future
Gambling may be fun for some people. In moderation, it can be fine. It’s not ideal, but the harm is minimised if a person can set limits and retake control.
But those who become addicted lose control over their behavior, and they get to a point where they need to seek professional treatment options.
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you’ve got a gambling problem. Gambling apps, websites, and casinos do everything they can to entice you to start gambling.
Gambling apps can be especially prominent, as it’s almost impossible to watch a major sporting event that isn’t sponsored by a gambling platform to some extent. Some events will even show live betting odds that may change as the game progresses.
Given the way that people are bombarded with so many types of gambling advertisements, it’s hard not to want to test your luck.
At Luxe Recovery, we can offer treatment for various conditions, including behavioral addictions like gambling.
