How to Stop Gambling
A bet is a wager that involves something of value being placed on a random event, with the intent of winning something else of value, where instances of strategy are discounted. Gambling is a behavior that is common to many cultures around the world and has a profound effect on our brains. When we gamble, our brains release a chemical called dopamine that is similar to the feeling we get from spending time with loved ones or eating a good meal. This feeling can become addictive and lead to gambling disorder.
Like any addiction, it can be hard to stop. However, there are steps you can take to help. First, identify the root cause of your problem. It could be personal factors, such as a need to prove yourself or a desire to act in a certain way in order to fit in with others, or it may be financial, such as spending more than you can afford to lose. It could also be a side effect of another mental health condition such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. If you have a mental illness, it is likely you will be more susceptible to harmful gambling.
Another important step is to make a plan. You need to decide how much money you want to risk, set money and time limits for yourself, and stick to them. You can also strengthen your support network and find new hobbies, such as volunteering or joining a sports team, book club or exercise class. You can even seek peer support by attending meetings of Gamblers Anonymous, a 12-step program based on the model of Alcoholics Anonymous.
You can also try to break the cycle of harmful gambling by taking control of your finances. This means getting rid of credit cards, putting someone else in charge of your money, having bank accounts set up to automatically pay bills, closing online betting accounts and keeping only a small amount of cash on you at all times. If you are in financial difficulty, you can speak to a debt adviser at StepChange for free, confidential advice.
The final point is to recognise the danger signs and know when you need help. If you start to see any of the following behaviors, it is likely that your gambling has gone too far:
A bet is a wager that involves something of value being placed on a random event, with the intent of winning something else of value, where instances of strategy are discounted. Gambling is a behavior that is common to many cultures around the world and has a profound effect on our brains. When we gamble,…