Help For Gambling Problems
Gambling is an activity where someone puts something of value at risk in the hope of winning something else of greater value. It is considered a vice because it can lead to addiction and financial ruin. It can also cause conflict in relationships, stress and feelings of anger, fear or shame. It can affect people of all ages and backgrounds, but there are some groups of people who are more at risk for developing a gambling problem than others, including adolescents, veterans, aging adults, and members of the Latino and Asian communities.
Many gamblers are not aware they are putting themselves at risk and can become entangled in a web of debt, money worries and stress that leads to harmful behavior, including thoughts of suicide. Harmful gambling is often a symptom of underlying mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety or drug and alcohol misuse. Some people gamble as a way to distract themselves from painful emotions and situations, or as a reward for good times. If you or a loved one has a problem with gambling, it is important to seek help.
It can be difficult to break the habit of gambling, but you can start by changing the environment around you and creating new triggers for yourself. If you have friends or family who also gamble, try to spend less time with them. If you find yourself driving past casinos or TABs, consider turning down the road or heading somewhere else instead. You should also avoid alcohol and drugs, as they can increase your chances of gambling, or make it more difficult to stop when you’ve started.
You can also learn to recognize internal triggers that will help you overcome your urges to gamble. It may be helpful to write down the situations or feelings that trigger gambling, and create a plan for how you will respond in future. This could be as simple as saying no to a friend when they ask you to gamble, or making a counteroffer like “let’s go to the gym instead”. You can also focus on addressing any underlying mood disorders that might contribute to your addictive behaviour, such as depression or bipolar disorder.
It’s also important to understand the odds and house edge of gambling. This will help you to realise that even when you think you are on a lucky streak, you will still lose money. Chasing your losses will usually only lead to bigger losses and more debt, which can cause stress and anxiety for yourself and the people around you. If you’re worried about your finances, speak to StepChange for free debt advice.
