If you’re struggling with online gambling addiction, there is help available. With a few simple steps, you can take control of your life and stop gambling for good.
Talk with friends and family
The first step is to reach out for help. Talk to a friend or family member about your problem and let them know you want to stop. There are also many support groups available, both in-person and online, that can offer guidance and understanding.
Get New Hobbies
The second step is to make some changes in your life. If gambling is your only form of entertainment, find other things to do with your time. Take up a new hobby, go out with friends, or volunteer for a local charity. It’s important to fill your life with positive activities so you don’t have time or energy for gambling.
Set a Budget
The third step is to set a budget and stick to it. Determine how much money you can afford to lose without causing financial hardship and stick to that amount. When you’re gambling online, it’s easy to get caught up in the game and spend more than you intended. By setting a budget, you can avoid these traps.
Only Gamble with Extra Money
Fourth, only gamble with extra money. Never use the money that you need for bills or other essential expenses for gambling. This will help ensure that you don’t end up in debt and are unable to pay your bills.
Get Help if You Need It
If you find that you can’t stop gambling on your own, there is professional help available. There are many treatment options available, including inpatient and outpatient programs, that can provide you with the support and tools you need to stop gambling for good.
Where can I get help in the UK?
If you’re based in the UK and struggling with gambling addiction, there are a number of organisations that can offer help and support, including:
GamCare – GamCare is a national organisation that provides free confidential advice, support, and information to problem gamblers and their families.
Gamblers Anonymous – Gamblers Anonymous is a 12-step program for people who want to stop gambling. The organisation has meetings across the country where members can share their experiences and offer support to each other.
Visit Gamblers Anonymous here →
National Problem Gambling Clinic – The National Problem Gambling Clinic is a free NHS service for people who are struggling with gambling addiction. The clinic offers assessment, individual therapy, and group therapy.
Visit National Problem Gambling Clinic here →
How to tell if you’re addicted to gambling
The first step to assessing whether you or someone you know has a gambling problem is to look for the signs and symptoms of gambling addiction. These can include:
- Preoccupation with gambling
- Needing to gamble more money to get the same thrill
- Chasing losses by gambling more after a loss
- Lying about gambling activities
- Isolating from family and friends
- Missing work or school due to gambling
- Experiencing financial problems due to gambling
If you or someone you know is displaying these signs, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible. Addiction can destroy lives, so don’t wait to get help. There are many resources available to those struggling with gambling addiction, so don’t hesitate to reach out for help. With the right support, you can stop gambling and reclaim your life.
The bottom line is that gambling addiction is a serious problem that can have devastating consequences. If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling addiction, there is help available. With a few simple steps, you can take control of your life and stop gambling for good.
How To Stop Gambling Ads on Facebook
If you’re trying to take a break from gambling, one of the first places you should look is your Facebook feed. That’s because online gambling companies are some of the biggest advertisers on social media platforms.
Fortunately, there’s a way to stop gambling ads from showing up in your Facebook feed. Here’s how:
- Go to your Facebook settings and click on “Ads.”
- Under the “Ad Preferences” section, click on “Ad Topics.”
- Find “Gambling and Casinos” and set it to “Not Interested.”
- Repeat steps 1-3 for each ad topic that includes gambling ads.
By taking these steps, you can make it much less likely that you’ll see gambling ads when you’re scrolling through your Facebook feed. And, if you do see them, they won’t be as intrusive or tempt you to gamble.
How To Stop Gambling Ads on YouTube
If you’re trying to take a break from gambling, one of the last places you want to see gambling ads is on YouTube. But, unfortunately, that’s where many online gambling companies choose to advertise.
Fortunately, there’s a way to stop gambling ads from showing up in your YouTube feed. Here’s how:
Go to your YouTube settings and click on “Ads.”
Under the “Ad Preferences” section, find “Gambling and Casinos” and set it to “Not Interested.”
Repeat steps 1-2 for each ad topic that includes gambling ads.
By taking these steps, you can make it much less likely that you’ll see gambling ads when you’re watching videos on YouTube. And, if you do see them, they won’t be as intrusive or tempt you to gamble.
Alternative Ways to Stop Gambling
If you are one of the many people who struggle with gambling, you may be looking for alternative ways to stop gambling. Gambling can be a difficult addiction to overcome, but there are a number of things that you can do to help yourself quit.
Try Hypnosis To Stop Gambling
With the help of a hypnotherapist, you can overcome your gambling addiction by addressing the underlying causes of your problem. Through hypnosis, you can change your attitude and beliefs about gambling, and develop new, more positive ways of coping with stress and anxiety.
Cut your Credit Cards and live off Cash
One way to stop gambling is to cut up your credit cards and only bring a set amount of cash with you when you go out. This way, you can’t access more money if you lose what you have.
Blacklist yourself from all gambling websites
If online gambling is a problem for you, there are websites that can blacklist you from all online gambling sites. This can help you to control your gambling by making it impossible for you to access any gambling websites.
Make your husband or wife in control of all your money
If gambling is a problem for you, make your spouse the sole person in control of your finances. This way, they can help you to stick to a budget and limit your spending on gambling.
These are just a few of the many ways that you can stop gambling. If you are struggling with a gambling problem, there is help available. Seek out professional help from a qualified counsellor or therapist to get started on the road to recovery.
