I tried many many times to quit but all i think about is gambling, All day i think about the roulette wheel, greyhound racing, horse racing. I just CANT STOP! But coming to this forum gives me new hope. I will try my utmost best to stop gambling as of now I will come back every fortnight to this forum and see how other people are. @Steev I have been following your progress buddy. The only time we win is only when we stop gambling forever. Gambling is the worst thing u can do. It will make a monster out of you. I never stole a pen in my life. Gambling made me a thief, lier and a manipulator towards my family and friends. I think a gambling addicting is underrated. When you absolutely must stop gambling right now, here are 10 steps you can take today. STEP 1: GET RID OF YOUR MONEY If you want to stop gambling right now, the first step begins by stopping to carry money. This includes credit cards, debit cards, access to bank accounts, checks, loans, etc.

• How To Stop Gambling Slots
• How Can I Stop Gambling
• How To Stop Gambling On Your Own
• I Need To Stop Gambling

How to Stop Masturbating Medically reviewed by Janet Brito, Ph.D., LCSW, CST — Written by Kimberly Holland — Updated on October 10, 2019 Masturbation is a normal part of sexual health. To stop it forever It is said, that even if a person has listened to all gamblers' confession, and has already made his own, it still cannot be cured till the very end. Getting back on the gambling track is really evident. A cured addict will have the promising future for sure but as soon as heshe becomes sincere about getting rid of it.

How to Treat Gambling Addiction and Get the Best Results

When someone is in the midst of a gambling addiction, he or she will exhibit some signs that make it seem as though there is a chemical dependency occurring. All the money a person makes will be spent on the addiction, and things like homes, vehicles, and possessions might even be lost in the pursuit of gambling. Just like chemical addictions to drugs like heroin, there are even emotional problems that develop, such as depression when someone can’t have their habit. But is there any way to treat gambling addiction? Fortunately, there are many options available to a person who wishes to go somewhere where they treat gambling addiction and get their life back in order.

In many ways, it is as hard to get a compulsive gambler to stop destructive habits as it is to get someone addicted to drugs to stop using. Encouraging addiction treatment is one way to get a person into a state of recovery. Unfortunately, this process is usually a little more complicated than just asking a simple question about rehabilitation and expecting an affirmative answer from the addicted individual.

Signs of a Gambling Problem

Sometimes referred to as “compulsive gambling,” addiction to gambling feels an intense need to gamble, and addicts often don’t have the willpower to fight against this need. It is not uncommon for an individual to be fully aware that an addiction exists and yet, have no control over when and how often he or she decides to gamble.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which is a publication put together by health professionals regarding different diseases and disorders, suggests the following broad signs exist for individuals with a compulsive gambling problem:

• Bailout
• Escape
• Loss of control
• Lying
• Illegal acts
• Preoccupation
• Risk to relationships
• Tolerance
• Withdrawal

The National Institutes of Health offers a more concrete list regarding gambling addiction:

• Obsessive thoughts about gambling
• Lying associated with gambling behaviors
• Gambling instead of work and family time
• Depression linked to not gambling
• Going into debt due to gambling

It’s essential to realize also that adults aren’t the only individuals who may become compulsive gamblers. A study published by the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health suggested that youth in America were extremely likely to engage in gambling behaviors. At least 17 percent of youth questioned in the survey indicated that they had gambled dozens of times in the year previous.

Different philosophies exist regarding the methods used to treat addictions, but standard treatment methods that might be seen during recovery from alcoholism or an addiction to cocaine are remarkably similar to the processes used for gambling addiction treatment. Standard treatment elements such as group therapy and one-on-one therapy sessions are vital for creating structure in a person’s life.

In choosing a facility in which to recover from gambling addiction, it’s important to ensure that there is a recovery program in place specifically designed to deal with this type of addiction. A general program that doesn’t focus on the particulars of ways to treat gambling addiction won’t be as effective. In speaking with different treatment facilities, it’s a good idea to ask about the experience the counselors have in this type of treatment.

Success in Treatment Programs

How To Stop Gambling Slots

As with other addictions, someone who is addicted to gambling will not be able to conquer his or her demons without a full emotional commitment to the process. Although the symptoms of withdrawal might not be as physically painful as they would be if a person were addicted to heroin or methamphetamines, the compulsion and emotional need to gamble is an incredibly difficult need to deny.

Differences in Treatment for Substance Abuse vs. Gambling

When a person is addicted to heroin, a treatment facility can test that person’s blood for evidence of recent drug use. A gambler will have no signs visible in his bloodstream that suggest the time has been spent recently at the poker table. The signs of gambling addiction and withdrawal are much more subtle, and treatment specialists must be able to interact closely with someone in order to treat gambling addiction.

Standard Treatment Components for Gambling Recovery

Although the types of programs designed by various treatment facilities might vary regarding the treatment for gambling addiction, common elements of gambling addiction treatment include:

How Can I Stop Gambling

• Standard psychotherapy (counseling)
• Group therapy within the treatment facility
• Medication (not used in all instances)
• Follow-up counseling and therapy
• Group therapy after treatment

Recovery and Legal Drug Use

When in recovery from a gambling addiction, there are no drugs specifically designed to lessen the impact of stopping an addiction. Heroin addicts can take methadone to ease off their addiction, but gambling addicts must often quit their addiction “cold turkey,” which is incredibly difficult to do. Gambling, whether a person wins or loses, offers a mental “rush” that helps feed the addiction.

Some research in the past few years has been accomplished regarding gambling treatment and drugs that might assist the process, but nothing concrete regarding medications, like antidepressants, has been confirmed to work in all cases. Some research has even been undertaken with the same sort of drugs that might be used for opiate addiction since some researchers have felt blocking receptors in the brain might reduce a person’s propensity to gamble.

Families with Addicted Members

An individual will often be convinced by family members to treat gambling addiction, but family members must also make sure to engage in protective measures to ensure that the family’s finances and livelihoods are safe from a person’s gambling addiction. Although it ‘s hard to remove the trust someone might have a spouse, parent, or child, it’s necessary that financial assets are out of reach of the addicted person.

How To Stop Gambling On Your Own

Families must also be exceptionally careful when asking their loved one to enter into a treatment facility or attempt recovery from a gambling addiction. Because the addiction isn’t one that includes needles and illegal drugs, beating a gambling addiction requires acceptance by the addicted that a problem does indeed exist.

Modern Gambling Problems

I Need To Stop Gambling

Heading to Las Vegas and blowing the mortgage payment, or meeting a bookie somewhere in a dark bar is still fairly common as far as destructive habits and gambling are concerned, but today’s gamblers also have the internet taunting them with promises of games and winnings. Even smartphones offer the chance to gamble. It’s almost impossible to stop the use of a phone and remain disconnected from the internet, so today’s gamblers do have particularly strong triggers in reach.

A gambling addiction has the potential to be incredibly destructive to a person’s life, and just because there aren’t illegal drugs involved doesn’t necessarily mean that the addiction is not a dangerous one. It is necessary that anyone who needs to treat gambling addiction seeks treatment with the support of family and friends, and with the help of mental health professionals.

• This topic has 19 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 3 months ago by .

• Hi all,

  I am Redberry I’m 31 years old and a compulsive gambler for the last four years now. I’ve been reading so many stories of fellow cg’s with the same problems and issues that I have. So I decided to make a own journal to remind myself not to make the same mistakes over and over again and possibly help other people overcome their addiction.

  It started all when I got my own place my life changed I did not have a job at that time and everything was changing due to my financial status. I then started visiting casino’s for the first time. Like everyone else I won a small amount at first wish it would never have happend.

  Last year I made a big win in one weekend 100k. It felt amazing. I was on top of the world. But inside all I really wanted is to gamble. Even though I was still in a huge debt that time. I blew the 100k in less than one hour and maxed out another credit card. Leaving me with another 10k of debt. U would think I learned my lesson from all these mistakes.From all those stressful, sleepless and despressed nights. Think again.. !

  After that time I relapsed a couple of times. Could not pay rent and other bills. I gambled my whole income away not once not twice but so many times!! Lost all my friend and my family.

  Most of the time when I gambled I won. But the hard truth is a compulsive gambler can never even win! It does not matter the time if u gamble it today or in a couple of months. The casinos will always win. They just borrow you the money knowing u will come back and pay back their money and your own. Knowing all this for my previous mess ups I still could not win from this addiction. I could not accept I lost a huge amount of money in such a short time. Leaving my stranded with debts debts and more debts. My family helped me a numerious times just to keep my home and car. I work for free just to pay of me debts.

  In the morning I had a relapse after my loan was a couple of days on my bankaccount. I went from .€700 to €2700,-. U would from all my experiences I would cash out and leave. No, I kept on playing till everything was gone. That did not happen. In fact I made 15k in one spin. I then started to do things that would keep me occupied. Not thinking about gambling but after a few hours a thought I could make that 100k again or even more. Then I started losing and losing some more. Staking ridiculous amounts of money just get it back again. As you can guess I lost all. I kinda felt relieved losing all my money because the dopamine was driving me crazy and I was in on tilt.

  To the main question: What worse get it and lose it or never have it? I would say never have it is the one for me. Gambling is a big fat LIE and it always will be.

  Notice that I did not put my winnings on here to encourage people to gambling neither to motivate them to try it too.. Just to let people know how far u can sink. Luckily I still have my rent money and all my money for my debts and little money left for foodshopping.

  I forgot to say I went looking for help at a clinic for gamblers. I am on the waiting list for 2 months now. If I put my life i their hands I would be homeless right now.

  Another Day 1 starts from now.. Thank you for reading my journal I will keep you guys posted as much as I can.

  RedBerry

  Hello and thanks for starting a thread in the Gambling Therapy forums

  Here at Gambling Therapy we pride ourselves on being a caring and diverse online community who can help and support you with the difficulties you’re currently facing. We understand that this might be a tough time for you, particularly if you’re new to recovery, so come here as often as you need to and participate in the forums, access online groups and connect to the live advice helpline if you need one to one support. We’re in this together!

  Here on the forum you can share your experiences in a safe, supportive and accepting environment. The beauty of writing it all down is that you can take your time and you will be creating a record of your progress that you can look back on if it ever feels like you’re not moving forward. So, share as much or as little as you like but do try to stick to keeping just one thread in this forum so people know where to find you if they want to be updated on your progress or share something with you.

  As well as the forums New Members are invited to join Charles in the New Members Practical Advice Group On Mondays at 21:00 (UK) and Thursday at 19:00(UK)

  And on that note….

  I’m going to hand you over to our community because I’m sure they will have some words of wisdom for you 🙂

  Take care

  The Gambling Therapy Team

  PS: Let me just remind you to take a look at our privacy policy and terms and conditions so you know how it all works!

  Winning at a casino then losing all the won money back are some of the worst emotions a person can go through. Omg, the desperation, the replaying in the mind, the wishing you could turn back time! It’s a bottomless pit of despair. I once won enough money to pay back two of my bank loans. I even made it through withdrawal and had the money in my bank account. It was Friday afternoon and I directed all the winnings to go to paying off my bank loans BUT because it was Friday afternoon I got a message from my bank telling me the payment could not go through until Monday. By Monday I had lost it all! I played as small as 0,09 bets and still managed to lose the whole lot plus another bank loan all chasing my initial win. Casino money is the devil’s money. It will steal your soul and destroy your life. The only answer is to stay away altogether.

  I know it feels like it is all about the money … but the amounts are not real. Money was not real to me when I was gambling it was just a means to getting the hit. If I had had more money then it would probably meant I would have taken longer to look for help.

  Looking back – I am most pissed about the time I wasted. Not just watching a wheel go around or fruits spinning, but the time I then had to spend earning enough to keep going, the time I had to spend making deals, sorting out credit arrangements. At one point I was working 6 jobs just to keep ahead of the debt repayments!

  Now I am walking in Donegal in Ireland – and my decision in the morning is whether to go East into the mountains or West onto the coast. No more flashing lights for me.

  Now I am realising my gambling free dream – yours may well be a different one, but it is there available to you once you start on your recovery.

  Ban yourself from where you gamble, try and limit your access to money and keep yourself busy away from temptation – and get help. I hope the clinic comes through soon. I wish you well.

  No one can handle the reward, the dopamine rush and the adrenaline. I doesn’t only apply to CGs. This is one big, fat LIE and it keeps us stuck in our cycles. We think to ourselves if only we were “normal” gamblers, we could continue playing. If only we withdrew the money like normal gamblers, we could keep our win/lose ratio down and continue on. The fact of the matter is, we are the majority not the minority. I’ve never heard of anyone gambling 4-5 years on a responsible level. You either don’t gamble or are a compulsive gambler.

  You know you need to close down that gambling account, you need to limit your access to money to just pay the bills and buy essentials – if possible you need to get someone else to handle your finances for you. Whilst you make it easy to gamble you will.

  Willpower is not enough. Writing about what we are going to do to stop is not enough. What needs to happen is cutting off our access to gambling, our access to money to gamble and as much as possible, our access to time to gamble – and then getting lots and lots of support. Speak to people here on a one-to-one if you need to, or get in touch with a help-line near to where you live. I’m sorry if I sound harsh but I think you need to work it.

  PS – I hope the “now gamble” was a typo and you really meant “not gamble.” Or was that a freudian slip? Keep strong – don’t gamble – focus on a gamble free day today and get the support you need.

  I’m out of words of encouragement for today but stay strong.
  You’re only 31 and you can still change your life around by 35 or 40 and forget this ordeal ever happened to you. Believe me, you’ll still be young. I’m 40 now and don’t feel a day older than 25. In a way I’m younger now than I was at 30. I feel more liberated, am less hard on myself and laugh at people that take life too seriously. The ability to not take life too seriously is a gift given to us by going through an experience such as gambling. At the end of the day, it’s freedom. Don’t let that gift be weight down by gambling debt. Stop now.

• Posts