How to Live In Las Vegas Without Gambling

Living in Las Vegas without gambling? Impossible, you say? Keeping your money in your pocket is something locals learn to do quickly, or they go broke even quicker. Being able to resist the pull of the lights, the machines, the tables, the buzz, is very difficult to do, but it can be done. There are people who have lost all that they own, because of their fever for gambling. Sometimes it takes a catastrophic event to turn your life around, sometimes just one as sweet as a grandbaby's trusting face. Whatever it takes for you, you can live in Las Vegas Without Gambling...here's how.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Carry not more than $20.
• Build a comfortable home life
• Put your life's priorities before everything
• Contact Gamblers Anonymous

1. Do not ever carry more than $20 in your pocket at any time. More cash than that carries too much temptation to just stick a few quarters in the slots. An hour later, you're broke again. Be honest with yourself and don't put yourself in situations where you set yourself up to fail.
   Gambling to excess is an addiction, not a failing.

2. Carry a credit card only when you are shopping. Go there, buy your
   item(s) and get in the car and GO HOME. Do NOT allow yourself to go to a casino. If you feel the temptation, pinch yourself in a vulnerable area HARD! Then tell yourself, "I can go home now, it's done."

3. Put your time and effort into building a comfortable home life, and doing whatever it is you like to do at home. Put more effort into your relationships. If you want to wear sloppy clothes and work outside, do it. If you want to clean house all day, do it. If you want to cook, do it. If you want to be with your family, do it. These are the priorities of your life, so just do it. Stay occupied and involved with those things.

4. Tell your family how important they are to you. Think about the things that mean everything to you, your home, your family, a grandchild, etc. Picture it intensely in your mind. Then think about how you'd feel if tomorrow your life came to an end, and you never had the chance to make it up to those who mean the most. Make a sincere effort to change now.

5. Above all else, get help. Do not be ashamed to face your faults. There's not a soul alive who doesn't have them, there are just degrees of difference. There is an organization called Gambler's Anonymous, where you can go and have the support of others who have experienced what you are going through. There's a number for GA in every phone book. You can also access them online at www.gamblersanonymous.org.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't lie about your gambling addiction...to your family, your friends, but above all, to yourself.
• Don't lie about losing money or how much you've lost. You're fooling nobody, not even yourself.
• Don't tell your family tall tales about why you need extra money, to justify taking their money.

[nancycarol]

on 10/8/2009 Yes, you're right...it IS a form of escape. Instead of fixing whatever is wrong in our daily lives, we escape into gambling, or the bottle, or drugs. Thanks for your comment and rating on How to Live In Las Vegas Without Gambling.

[deanneorear]

on 10/8/2009 I myself have never had the problem but have seen it with many friends. Most the time it's just to keep busy or escape from problems even though it will only create more. 5*

[deanneorear]

on 10/8/2009 I myself have never had the problem but have seen it with many friends. Most the time it's just to keep busy or escape from problems even though it will only create more. 5*

[lighthouse1958]

on 9/2/2009 I sure wouldn't want to live there that's for sure. Las Vegas looks pretty but alot of wild things goes on down there I here. I could see how all your good tips would work. 5*

[nancycarol]

on 8/28/2009 Thanks Blake, for your comment and your rating on my How To Live In Las Vegas Without Gambling. Yes, it happens a lot, and sometimes to the nicest people. It's really sad and makes you want to do something to wake them up to what they can lose.