Gambling Addiction

As seen on the skit, gambling addiction can get out of hand real fast. Remember when things get out of your control, it is time to get help. Do not kid yourself a gambling addiction can destroy everything in your life you have worked hard to build.

In this session, I will discuss a couple I am concerned about that I had a few months ago in therapy and they stopped attending the sessions in the center. They were high school sweethearts and got married, had 2 beautiful children and little by little they started buying lotto tickets. At first, it was a dollar a week, then months later it became a problem. They started spending hundreds of dollars a month, money they could not afford to spend. Then they started asking their family and friends to borrow money, getting cash advances from their credit cards and depleted their savings. So they ended up bankrupt and coming in for couple’s therapy. They were embarrassed to admit their situation, but they hit rock bottom and wanted to get up from there, they wanted their old lives back and were willing to work on it together. Does this sound like you? There is help out there, do not despair, a solution is around the corner, but it is a slow process and you can overcome it in time.

Where To Get Help:

• Gamblers Anonymous
• Self-help Groups
• Professional help, individual counseling
• National Council On Problem Gambling

Who Else Can You Turn To:

• Family
• Friends
• Neighbors
• Support Groups
• Counselors

What Things Can You Do:

• You have control in your fingertips, you just have to say to yourself “I can do this” or “I don’t need to gamble to have fun”, go to support groups until you feel you can do it on your own
• You need to be kind to yourself
• Get the help you need and keep fighting, you do not give up
• You are a survivor and you will succeed, you are no quitter
• Now you have another opportunity to make better choices and be stronger because of it
• Only go out with the exact money you need to do your errands, no extra money in your wallet or purse
• No more credit cards, cash only
• No more lotto tickets/ casinos (avoid these activities)
• No more borrowing money from others
• Go to financial institutions and get the help you need to get your credit back to where it was before (ask people in Gamblers Anonymous or other support groups which are the best institutions  to go to for this, they will direct you to the best places)
• Talk about your problem to people you can trust so you can get it out, process it and get the help you need

Substitute For The Craving To Gamble:

• Reading
• Singing
• Dancing
• Exercising, going for walks, biking, running or playing sports
• Going to the movies
• Visiting friends, family members or neighbors
• Talking on the phone
• Drawing
• Doing crossword puzzles
• Going on the internet and learning about something new or playing free video games online(avoid online gambling sites)
• Cooking
• Listening to music
• Watching television
• Dreaming about what you want in your life but gambling does not play any part of this dream

I want to take this time to wish the couple I worked with, wherever you guys are, I wish you the best and I will always welcome you back when you are ready to get the help you need.

Things To Remember:

• You and only you can make the decision not to gamble anymore
• You can do this, stick to it and you will get through it
• You deserve to be happy and free from gambling and all the stress that comes from all of it

I wish you the best and good luck to you!