Government of New Brunswick
Health

Strategies for Success

Removing the stimuli for gambling is critical in early recovery. The following are some ideas to help create a supportive environment where healthy choices become easier to make:

Handle as little money as possible
Dispose of bank teller cards
Discontinue credit cards if you are taking cash advances or using them irresponsibly
Have your pay cheques put directly into your bank account
Have someone else who you can trust (e.g. a friend, family member) manage your finances
Consider other financial avenues, such as locking your money into long-term savings bonds, etc
If you are going near a gambling venue, leave all your money, cheque books, etc. at home

Keep a diary of your expenditures

If you are gambling, keep track of how much you have spent, and the amount you have won. (If you can’t afford to lose anymore, record the losses of a friend or investigate legislation and statistics about the earnings of gambling venues.)

Try to reduce your financial need
Determine if there is something else contributing to your high level of financial need (e.g. drug or alcohol abuse)
Is it necessary for you to have lots of money or a high standard of living to be happy?

Get involved in activities
Problem gamblers often gamble alone, so get involved in activities with other people. Take an evening class, join a club or sports group, volunteer, or participate in activities with family or friends
Associate with people who do not gamble -meet with friends in a place where gambling is not available
Build a support network
Seek out self-help groups (e.g. Gamblers Anonymous, GamAnon, etc.)
Seek out addiction services workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, or other health care professionals that can help you
Seek out family, friends, or relatives for support

Seek financial counseling
Counseling for budgeting skills, and debt repayment plans is available.

Seek treatment
Drug or alcohol abuse and mental illness (e.g. depression, suicide, mania) can be treated. Seek counseling for marital problems, career and legal issues, or other problematic areas in your life.

Save your gambling
You can save your gambling money for something special you enjoy doing (e.g. hobbies, travelling). Reward yourself when you choose not to gamble (e.g. go out for dinner, see a movie).

Channel excess energy

Prevent boredom or loneliness by building other alternatives to gambling. Take up sports, hobbies, exercise, or other enjoyable activities.

Change habits
Modify behaviors that support your gambling (e.g. don’t drive past your gambling venue of choice, avoid reading sports results).

Plan
Schedule your days, replacing the time spent gambling with other activities you enjoy. Stick to your schedule as closely as possible.

Determine what triggers your gambling
Stress, depression, loneliness, anxiety can spark off gambling, so find other ways of dealing with these triggers.

Learn more about problem gambling

Go to a library or bookstore. Read books, pamphlets, or borrow videos.

Develop realistic expectations for change

It is unrealistic to expect quick change or improvement. Relapses are likely, and they are not signs of failure.
Understand that winning is due to luck only, not skill.
Gambling is not the best way, or the only way, of controlling your financial situation.


Why Do People Gamble?

There are many reasons, some of which are:

To win money

Gambling being the only form of entertainment where one can finish with more money than one started with.

Peer Influence
In groups, gambling may be seen as desirable behaviour because it means someone is taking a risk and tempting fate.

Charitable Donations
Some people gamble as a way of supporting a worthy cause.

Excitement, fun

Gambling is a complex mixture of anticipation and reinforcement that can make it enjoyable and fun.

Escape
It can be used as a way to escape from worries or problems, can relieve boredom, loneliness, etc.

Fantasy
They imagine themselves being happier if they won the big jackpot and/or think about what to do with a lot of money.

Parental Influence
Parents are role models for their children, children can receive messages that gambling is acceptable, harmless, get rich quick, etc.


Call the Gambling Information Line at
1-800-461-1234
for free, confidential information