How To Stop Gambling

Gambling addictions are difficult to deal with. As the craving for the thrill of a big win hangs over you day to day, it can be difficult to stop.

Family members and relationships drift away as you start to spend mountains of money on your addiction.

As you begin to lose more money, the search for a big win becomes more desperate as you try to win the money back - and you feel gambling is the only option.

However, the vicious cycle doesn't have to stay with you forever. At Rehubs, we can help you overcome your gambling addiction. 

In today's blog post, we will cover the symptoms of gambling addiction, what to do if you are struggling with one, and where you can get help to stop the cycle for good.

Identify Your Problem

Gambling is a type of impulse control disorder. It controls you to the point where you have little to no control left - even though you are aware that it hurts yourself and others, you can't stop.

The good news is that there is a way out, and acknowledging that you have a problem is a great step in the right direction towards lifelong recovery from gambling.

You may be in denial about your problem or you may not yet realise the severity of your problem. Here are some important symptoms to recognise:

• You always think about gambling, and plan your next gambling opportunity
• Needing to bet more money to feel the same excitement
• Trying but failing to stop or cut back on gambling
• Feeling anxious or irritable when trying to stop gambling
• Gambling to escape problems or to feel better when sad or anxious
• Trying to win back money lost by gambling more
• Lying to family or friends about how much you gamble
• Losing important relationships, jobs, or opportunities because of gambling
• Relying on others to give you money to deal with financial problems caused by gambling
• Doing illegal things, like stealing, to get money for gambling

If you feel you relate to any of these symptoms in relation to gambling, you are not alone and gambling affects around 246 thousand people across the UK.

Reach out to Someone You Trust 

You should reach out to somebody you trust so that you can get the help that you need for your addiction.

Talking to a friend or family member about what has been going on is brave, and they will be able to support you going forward.

They will be able to hold you accountable and motivate you to keep going on your journey. You will be able to tell them when you have temptations to gamble and they will support you and stop you.

Pinpoint Your Triggers 

Identifying what triggers you to gamble can help you to avoid these situations. Whether it is thrill-seeking, you're low on money and are looking for a big win or you need to escape from stress and worries, understanding what it is that triggers your gambling will help you to stop.

The Benefits of Stopping Gambling

When you stop gambling, it also comes with some benefits that will better your life, here is a breakdown of the benefits.

Financial 

Gambling is an expensive addiction, and the more you do it, the more money you begin to spend as you try to increase your winnings. This is a risk - the higher the amount gamble, the bigger the risk of losing it all.

When you recover from your addiction, you will be able to spend your money on more valuable things or save it for future purchases.

You will be able to manage your finances better as they will become less unpredictable due to you no longer having gambling losses.

Mental Health

Gambling can cause significant stress and anxiety. When you stop, the stress surrounding where you will find the money for your next win, or how much money you have lost will all go away.

You will be able to be at peace and have a calmer mental state.

Social Relationships

Having a gambling addiction can put a lot of strain on relationships. You may have drifted away from people due to keeping secrets regarding gambling, and not opening up about your feelings.

You may have been difficult to be around due to being constantly irritated with thoughts of gambling and mood swings, drawing people away.

When you are free from the grip and control of gambling, you will be able to spend more time with friends and family and build the relationships back up. This will also help you mentally as you will be socialising more and living a happier life.

Personal Development

You will be able to become more productive. Gambling can be time-consuming, but now that you have more spare time on your hands, you will be able to enjoy a new hobby or work towards a goal.

Overcoming addiction is a big achievement. It can increase your confidence and make you feel a lot more in control of your life.

Struggling With Gambling? Rehubs Can Help

Here at Rehubs, we can help you stop the cycle of gambling for good. No matter how overwhelming your gambling addiction may seem, with Rehubs, there is a way out! 

Take back control of your life and start your recovery towards a happier and brighter version of you. 

We have online rehabilitation programmes where you will have regular 1-1 meetings with an addiction specialist and daily group sessions to help you stay on track with your recovery and hold yourself accountable. 

Our programmes are flexible and designed to suit you so it doesn't matter what your lifestyle is, there is always some time for Rehubs. Complete your free online assessment and start your journey today.