Gambling can be a fun pastime, but it can also be a serious problem that causes you to lose control over your life. It can ruin your relationships, interfere with work and study and put you in debt. It can also be a symptom of other mental health problems such as depression, anxiety or self-harm.
The most common form of gambling is betting on a sports game or a race at a casino. The odds of winning are often quite low, but there’s a real thrill when things go your way.
If you’re worried about your gambling habits, there are a few things that you can do to help yourself. Try keeping a gambling diary, so you can better understand your behaviour and the impact it’s having on your life.
Identify your triggers and avoid them at all costs. This can be difficult, but it’s vital for your long-term health and happiness. You may need to cut down on the amount of money you spend on gambling or limit the time you spend at the casino. It is also helpful to talk about your problem with a trusted friend or family member who won’t judge you.
Find out if your gambling is causing other problems in your life and seek help for these. There are several treatments available that can be effective in helping people with gambling disorder, including therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), family therapy and counselling.
Keep a gambling diary and write down your thoughts, feelings and situations that occur before and during a gambling session. This will help you to understand how gambling affects your life and how to stop it.
Set a limit on how much you can spend and stick to it. It’s tempting to gamble more and lose more, but if you can set yourself a budget of how much you’re willing to spend and stick to it, you’ll be more likely to stop when you’ve reached your target.
Make sure you’re in a safe place before you gamble and always have a plan for how you’ll cope if you lose. This can include asking a loved one to watch your children, taking a break from the casino or using online gaming sites that don’t have a reputation for dishonesty.
Seek help from a professional for any underlying conditions or disorders that could be contributing to your gambling problem, such as depression, stress or substance abuse. These can be a triggering factor and make your gambling even more difficult to control.
Counseling and other forms of therapy can help you to overcome your gambling problems and learn to live a happier, more fulfilling life. Many people also benefit from support groups that provide peer support for those who have gambling problems.
Restrict yourself from high-risk activities such as the use of credit cards, taking out loans, carrying large amounts of money with you or using gaming venues for socialising. It is also important to find an alternative recreational activity or hobby that you can enjoy.
