Is your gambling getting out of hand, not sure, if you answer yes to 3 or more of these questions, there is a good indication that it is.
- Do you spend too much money and/or time gambling?
- Have you gambled away the money needed to pay household bills?
- Have you risked or lost a relationship because of your gambling?
- Do you struggle to sleep because of your problems with gambling?
- Do you gamble to try to win back losses?
- Do you lie about how much you gamble?
The ways to gamble in today's society has exploded with the use of smartphones, it makes it so much more accessible, but at the same time so much harder than to take control back as it has snook its way into your emails, apps. There are ways that these can be blocked, however that does not deal with the root causes of what is fueling the gambling. They most certainly are part of the solution though.
Unlike some other addictions, gambling is the unseen one. The likes of alcohol or drugs with which there are usually clearly visible signs. Yes, gamblers have mood swings, can be secretive, seem stressed and distracted, however, the signs can be attributed to other issues that are causing concern in a person life.
As with most things, it starts off as a social activity, and for many, it remains that way, however, for some, it escalates and starts to cause problems, which can be kept hidden for a long time. Whether it is the lottery or betting on the horses to using one or some of the many online bingo, slots or roulette sites, they are all designed to keep you on their sites. Even when they are putting TV adverts out about safe gambling, they are still enticing you to gamble. Let me show you… “I don’t want you to think of a pink elephant”………………. You thought of a pink elephant, didn’t you?
Although it may feel like you’re powerless to stop gambling, there are plenty of things you can do to overcome the problem, repair your relationships and finances, and finally regain control of your life.
One of the biggest steps to overcoming a gambling addiction is realizing that you have a problem, given that you are reading I can assume that you have or are starting to know it. Even just admitting it to yourself is a huge step forward. It takes tremendous strength and courage to own up to this, especially if you have lost a lot of money and strained or broken relationships along the way. Don’t despair, and don’t try to go it alone. Many others have been in your shoes and have been able to break the habit and rebuild their lives. You can, too.
