How to Stop Gambling

Gambling is a very addictive thing to get involved in. The thing that makes gambling so addictive is that you do win, it's just that you lose more. If you win a lot, you feel like your king of the world and your winning streak is never going to end, so you take one last shot, and lose everything. It's a common predicament gamblers get themselves into, that could/can be so easily avoided.

You don't have to gamble every day to have a problem, it could be an infrequent thing you're dealing with, yet it can still cause you hassle.

1. Avoid casinos

Whilst avoiding casinos and other 'gambling quarters' will not solve the problem for more serious gamblers, it will help. Preventing yourself from accessing these places will over time start to get you to form a habit of not using them. Which can only be a good thing right.....unless you're a casino owner that is.

2. Counselling

Like a lot of other addictions, there's always people willing to help you with your problem. Talking people will help hugely, you'll be able to sort out problems you've been facing, and get professional advice.

Having group counselling sessions with other gamblers can help, acting as a source of motivation and friendly competition to help stop.

3. Think of the money you'll save

Gambling needs money to help fuel it, so think about how much money you use when gambling. Is it £5-£10?, or £100-£300?, or is it more? How ever much money you spend gambling, that could be saved and spent on something else.

4. Only carry change

Like I mentioned in point#3, a person can only keep gambling as long as they have the money to keep it going. So by carrying only change around with you, you're preventing yourself from gambling. Make sure you don't carry bank cards, as this will allow you to draw money out to spend, change only.

5. Have someone tag along

When you need to go shopping and you feel that you don't yet have the will power not to gamble the shopping-money, then take someone who isn't a gambler with you. They will be able to act as your voice of reason and help to make sure that you don't go back to old habits. 

6. Make plans

Gambling needs your time. Try to then schedule in things to do when you might normally gamble. Using this time up will allow you to avoid gambling your money, and can be spent doing something nicer. For example; family activities, recreational activities, maybe a hobby, etc.

7. Think of the consequences

Think of what you will feel like afterwards, what consequences may appear. You may be sacrificing relationships, making life hard for others, using money that is supposed to be for other things. Whatever the consequence may be, think of it and picture yourself there. Once you've done that, then make your decision. If you make the decision to not gamble - great, well done. If you go ahead and gamble and get yourself into a problem - you only have yourself to blame.

8. Have someone else take charge of finance

Have a member of family deal with your finances, and limit what you use them for. Having someone else do this will stop you from accessing more money and stop you from wasting it.

After some time, once you are no longer under the control of gambling, can you regain control over your finances.

9. Avoid the Internet

If you are used to gambling online, and you don't think you can go on it without gambling, then avoid using the Internet altogether. It may seem a bit extreme, but if you're going to do it, then the best thing to do is stop using it.

If you can't stop using the Internet, then maybe you should get rid of it.

10. Read recovery literature

Read some gambling recovery literature every day. You read about how others stopped their gambling problem and how they maintain it. You can also read some helpful tips that I'm sure I've missed in this post.

It will also keep you in the mindset of not-gambling.