How to Deal With a Gambling Addiction
Gambling is a form of activity where a person risks something of value in the hope of gaining something else of value. It is often considered an addictive behavior. It can be difficult to determine whether someone has a gambling addiction, but there are several ways to recognize the signs. These include: Being preoccupied with gambling (reliving past gambles, calculating and planning future ventures, or thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble). Spending more time on gambling than is healthy. Feeling compelled to gamble even when faced with serious consequences. Trying to recover from gambling addiction can be very challenging, especially if you have lost a lot of money or damaged relationships with family and friends. However, many people who struggle with this problem have overcome it and rebuilt their lives. BetterHelp is a service that helps people find counseling for any type of issue, including gambling. It’s easy to take a free assessment and be matched with a licensed therapist in as little as 48 hours.
Some people only occasionally engage in social gambling, such as playing card or board games with friends for small amounts of money or betting on sports events and horse races with coworkers. Others gamble for a living, either as professional casino or poker players, race track owners, or bookmakers. Still others play poker for fun, place bets on horse races or political events, participate in lottery drawings, or use their knowledge of math to make speculative investments.
The risk involved in gambling is not always obvious and, depending on the type of game or bet, can vary from low to high. People who gamble for a living are often in it for the money and may not consider the emotional aspect of gambling. Some people gamble in order to escape from problems or boredom, such as feeling lonely or tired. In such cases, it is important to try to find healthier and more effective ways to relieve these feelings.
There are a number of ways to reduce the urge to gamble, including talking with a counselor, attending a support group like Gamblers Anonymous, and practicing relaxation techniques. In addition, some research has shown that regular physical exercise can help. It is also advisable to avoid gambling websites, set spending limits on credit cards, and limit access to cash by keeping only a certain amount in your wallet.
The first step in dealing with a gambling problem is admitting that you have one. This can be difficult, particularly if you have lost significant amounts of money or strained relationships with loved ones because of your gambling. But it’s essential for your long-term recovery. Once you’ve acknowledged your gambling disorder, it’s time to get help. BetterHelp can match you with a counselor who specializes in addictions and can help you identify the root causes of your gambling problems. Start your recovery today. Take the free BetterHelp assessment and get matched with a therapist in as few as 48 hours.