How to Stop a Casino Gambling Problem
Gambling addictions can ruin your life and your family members' lives. Many people who have never had a gambling problem don't understand how difficult it is for gambling addicts to stop their behavior -- the urge is often too overwhelming to stop. Stopping your casino gambling problem isn't impossible, and, with the right combination of therapy, gambling programs and behavior changes, you'll be able to control the urges that once controlled you.
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Instructions
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Notify the casinos in your local area that you have a gambling problem. All gambling establishments have a problem gambler list. The gambling establishment will watch out for you if you enter the building, and, if they see you, they will escort you out.
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Enroll in a gambling program that's designed to help gamblers overcome their problems, such as Gamblers Anonymous. Gambling programs are often headed by someone who used to have a gambling problem of his own, so he can identify with your troubles and help stop your addiction.
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Visit a therapist. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is often helpful for problem gamblers. The therapy focuses on how gambling is destroying your life and works on changing your beliefs and false-truths about your gambling problem. Therapy teaches you how to fight your addiction, what to do when you feel an urge to gamble and how to focus on activates that don't involve gambling.
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Cancel or throw away your credit cards, and take your money and put it into someone else's bank account. Money is to gambling addicts what alcohol is to alcoholics -- if you have access to money, there's a good chance you're going to gamble with it. Put your finances in the hands of a trusted friend, spouse or family member until you break your addiction.
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Schedule activities to keep yourself busy throughout the day. Whether you want to focus on hobbies, such as coin collecting, model building or bowling with friends and family, keeping yourself busy means that you won't have time to gamble.
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Call someone when you begin thinking about gambling. If you think about going to the casino, immediately call a friend or family member and tell them. Think about your actions and what gambling has done and will do to your life. Immediately do something to take your mind away from gambling.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit gambling image by marta from Fotolia.com
