Best Services to Stop Gambling Addiction
Gambling is fun and entertaining, but only as long as it’s under control. If a harmless hobby turned into a big problem — keep your head up, there is a way out of it.
On this page, I’ve collected all the organizations and resources that might be helpful in a fight with gambling addiction. Don’t hesitate to contact them right away.
STAY IN CONTROL
Gambling addiction can be treated, it’s a fact, but the process might be long and complicated. That’s why it’s much better to keep your finger on the pulse and never let it happen. How? Here are some recommendations.
Need more information? Find it here.
TREAT ADDICTION
To deal with a problem, you need to recognize it first. Start with checking this list of gambling addiction signs. Is there something that rings a bell?
If you feel that some of these signs might be true for you or someone you know, please contact one of the following resources:
STAY ALIVE
In this part, I collected suicide prevention resources for those who might be thinking of crossing the line or their families. If you suspect that someone you know might commit suicide, please, reach one of the organizations below. If you are the one who thinks of ending things — remember, you are not alone, and there is always a way out of the darkness.
MANAGE YOUR DEBTS
One of the main side effects of gambling addiction, besides mental health problems, is that it quickly leads to financial problems as well. Compulsive gamblers tend to get in debt and borrow more and more money, hoping that they will win everything back, until the moment when the debt burden becomes unbearable. If you feel like you or someone you know might be in such a situation, you can get free counselling here:
STOP GAMBLING
If you can’t control your gambling activities, there is one radical way out of the situation, and it’s called self-exclusion. In this case, you’ll be banned from all the online and offline casinos and just won’t let in if you can’t resist temptation yourself. If you think you might need a break from gambling, you can learn how to start the self-exclusion process here.
Gambling Addiction Myths
Gambling addiction, like any other mental condition, is surrounded by myths and fears. It makes it harder to detect and treat as people struggling with it can’t acknowledge the problem and seek help. Here are the five most popular myths about compulsive gambling, and the truth hiding behind them.
🔔 Myth. “I can’t be a problem gambler if I don’t bet every day. ”
Truth: Actually, it’s not about how often you make bets but more about the consequences it drags. If you are betting once a week, but it leads to stress, guilt, and financial problems — you are a problem gambler.
🔔 Myth. “I’m not the one to blame for it, it’s my family/wife/friends, etc.”
Truth: Blaming others is a typical sign of any kind of addiction. It’s better if you take responsibility for your actions and seek help instead of ruining relationships with people you love.
🔔 Myth. “I have enough money, so gambling is not a problem.”
Truth: Financial problems are not the only ones caused by problem gambling. You might be safe from getting in debt, but you are not protected from depression, anxiety, and social isolation.
🔔 Myth. “I’ve lost a lot of money, but I can win all of it back”
Truth: This is exactly the thought that brings compulsive gamblers to the very bottom of the addiction. In reality, your chances of winning and losing are pretty much the same at every point.
🔔 Myth. “If I or someone I know were problem gamblers, I’d know. ”
Truth: Problem gamblers don’t look like problem gamblers. They look like ordinary people, and you might never know that they are actually having hard times struggling with the addiction.
It’s time to get help!
Gambling addiction might be hard to detect and treat, but the sooner you seek help, the easier it would be to fight it. If you suspect that someone you know might be a problem gambler — pick one of the organizations from the list right now and start fighting the addiction before it has done serious damage,