How to Get Help to Stop Online Gambling
While online gambling may seem like a fun way to spend a few minutes or hours, it can cause serious issues for some people. These issues generally occur because a person has become a compulsive gambler. In some cases, online gambling can become addictive. When online gambling affects your finances, your relationships or your emotions in a negative way, you may need to look for ways to get help to stop online gambling. The type of help you will need will depend on how serious the problem has become.
Instructions
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Replace online gambling with another recreational activity.
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Eliminate your access to the Internet by canceling your service. This may not be possible if you need the Internet for work-related purposes, but you can set your computer's parental block to deny access to websites hosting online gambling. For added protection, it may help to have a friend set up the password, so you can't cheat.
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Join a class that teaches mental techniques you can use to resist the temptation to log on to your online gambling site. These classes often focus on ways you can break a bad habit, but some will evaluate triggers that can make you want to gamble online.
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Find a support group lead by someone who has experienced problems caused by online gambling. Often people who have been where you are understand the issues you are experiencing. Because of this, they can pick up on signals that you may be about to relapse and help you change course.
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Hire a counselor to help you discover underlying issues that lead your need to gamble online. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you identify things that you want to change and allow you to make those changes with the support of a qualified professional.
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Install a filter program on your computer designed to block specific websites. Some companies host filtering services, which means they will monitor your IP address and block your access if you try to go to a domain associated with online gambling. Even if you disable your parental controls, the filter will still prevent access to online gambling.
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Become a member of Gamblers Anonymous. Like Alcoholics Anonymous, this group goes beyond the basic support group. It aims to move people through the entire recovery process.
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Tips & Warnings
If you can't find any local support groups, you can consider contacting a local church, which might offer some type of counseling. If you have more than one computer with Internet access, you'll need to set up parental controls or install a filter on each computer.
If you fail to address an online gambling addiction, you may create financial troubles with legal ramifications.
References
- Photo Credit John Nyberg, Stock Exchange
