There is a combination of approaches needed to stop gambling and save money. Although, some persons are trying to quit gambling, because of its toll on their mental health, with little or no success yet.
Most people, who have friends or family members that are gamblers know more about gambling addiction, and the reasons to stop gambling. They can talk more about the temptation gambling problem has brought into the life of their friends or family member, who suffer from gambling addiction.
It is known that quitting gambling is as difficult, just as saying goodbye to alcohol. The first way to stop gambling and save money is never to think of stepping into gambling venues.
We currently live in a world of advanced technologies, therefore, there are tonnes of gambling websites that gamblers can access without stepping into gambling venues. These gambling websites are another temptation because they pose a bigger risk. This means gamblers can stake their money to gamble without stepping out of their homes.
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Some of the ways a gambling addict, can stop gambling is by seeking professional help and finding a support group to help out. Although, quitting gambling is not as easy as it sounds, it is achievable when the gambler decides on personal conviction, or to seek professional help.
1. Personal conviction to quit gambling
The first problem gamblers suffer from is voluntary self-exclusion, which is a serious mental health issue. Gamblers self exclude themselves for long hours and engage in their gambling activities. Self-exclusion is meant for convicts and prisoners. However, gamblers will never admit that they self exclude themselves from society just as correctional centers do to prison inmates.
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The unending urge to gamble, and not knowing when to stop is another addiction that makes quitting gambling difficult. Chronic gamblers are ready to stake their lives in a game of casino, even after losing all their money to fellow gamblers.
2. Uninstalling and blocking online gambling sites
You need to do away with all the gambling websites on your mobile phone and computer system gradually. It is high time you wiped out gambling websites that control your activities online. You will never stop gambling if you do not unsubscribe from all the gambling groups. These online channels are the reasons why you can not quit gambling.
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In addition, you should gradually reduce the number of gambling websites you visit. This is because the more gambling websites you browse, the more gambling advertisements Google shows to you.
3. Changing your cycle of friends
Friends at times have a greater influence on our lives than our families. It will be difficult for you to free yourself from the shackles of gambling when over 97% of your friends gamble. Another, gambling problem you would face is that you will be with your friends while they are deep in gambling. Before you know it, you would tell them you want to gamble, after observing them play and win big money.
As you seek treatment from experts by not gambling again, so also, you need to seek friends, who are helpful and ensure you turn a new leaf.
4. Find alternatives to gambling
You need to get yourself alternatives to gambling. Who says there are no alternatives to gambling addictions? One of the alternatives to gambling addiction is engaging in what you think you can learn or add value, without spending a dime, but will help you save money. Such alternatives could be reading, yoga, jogging, joining an association on financial literacy, or even voluntary community service.
For example, if you join an organization on financial literacy even if you are yet to quit gambling, you will not know the time your gambling problem will become a thing of the past.
5. Think about the emotional pain gambling has brought into your life
A person who is a gambling addict could argue that he makes cool cash after playing casino. However, what happens when such a person loses thousands of dollars of his life savings after playing a casino? Such individuals will become traumatized, and in extreme cases, contemplate suicide.
6. Seek professional help and get a treatment
Do not self exclude yourself from society when you recognize your gambling problems. Gambling addiction is not different from alcohol, cocaine, or other hard drugs. Therefore, seeking professional help is an important step to extricating yourself from gambling and related addictions. Gambling addiction or gambling disorder is a consistent, and uncontrollable behavior that is difficult to stop at times.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, only one in 10 gamblers seek help regarding their gambling addiction.
7. Do away with alcohol addiction
Have you ever seen gamblers who do not take alcohol? There are other addictions that alcohol consumption brings to the fore, along with gambling. Your addiction to alcohol goes hand-in-hand with your gambling addiction. You can stay out of debt and save money when you do away with alcohol and gambling.
8. Talk more with past gamblers to serve as a motivation to quitting gambling
'Experience is the best teacher.' Try to learn about how past gamblers quit gambling. Their stories will let you be aware of what to do to quit gambling.
9. Save money by not gambling at least once a day
You need to stand in front of a mirror and talk to yourself about one of the strategies to save money. Gambling addiction is cancerous to gamblers. You have to make up your mind by reducing the off days you gamble weekly. Later on, you will gradually say goodbye to your gambling problem.
10. Visit recreational centers, parks, and natural environments
A view of nature is a treatment for depression on its own, as it is helpful during the recovery stages from gambling addiction. The natural breeze and ambiance will help your recovery from gambling. Nature has a soothing relief on the mind.
11. Read success stories of how to save money, and escape gambling addiction
You will surely get resources online and ideas, which will point to you how past gamblers escaped addiction, and have become role models, speaking against gambling and bankruptcy.
12. Addiction to saving money and investment is the way out
Psychologists do opine that every person has one or more addictions. You should have an unending appetite for savings and investment. Talk more about the importance of savings rather than gambling, and see how to think less about going back to gambling.
13. Enjoy sports without gambling
In the United States, baseball, basketball, and American football are the top three sports most Americans love, with gamblers staking millions of dollars in them. You should begin with strategies that will ensure you quit gambling and save your money for the rainy days.
In conclusion, if you are finding a way to free yourself to stop gambling and save money, do reflect on the above-highlighted approaches, as they are helpful tips to right the wrong of your gambling addiction. You should know that gambling is, 'robbing Peter to pay Paul.'
Oladele Hakeem Olaniyan, who lives in Nigeria wrote this article.
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