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:
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
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.)
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?
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
Counseling for budgeting skills, and debt repayment plans is available.
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.
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).
Prevent boredom or loneliness by building other alternatives to gambling.
Take up sports, hobbies, exercise, or other enjoyable activities.
Modify behaviors that support your gambling (e.g. don’t drive past
your gambling venue of choice, avoid reading sports results).
Schedule your days, replacing the time spent gambling with other activities
you enjoy. Stick to your schedule as closely as possible.
Stress, depression, loneliness, anxiety can spark off gambling, so find
other ways of dealing with these triggers.
Go to a library or bookstore. Read books, pamphlets, or borrow videos.
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.
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.
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