Gambling Addiction

I found a website that has helped me a great deal with my gambling addcition and depression. Just knowing that there are other people who can relate to me really helped me to move on with my life. The website Help Stop Gambling Addiction Resources To Stop Compulsive Gambling is located at http://www.istoppedgambling.com

Have you tried a support group such as Gamblers Anonymous? I'd be lost with out them. http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

People don’t usually start out as problem gamblers. Somewhere along the way, though, the casual bets stop being “just for fun” and begin causing problems.
Recreation - Games - Gambling - Online Casino Games
How would you know if your betting is becoming a problem’
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It may be a problem if you:

spend more time or money gambling than you intended to spend.

go back another day to try to win back money or possessions your&squo;ve lost

feel badly about the way you gamble or about what happens when you gamble.

tell others you've been winning money from betting, when you really haven’t.
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want to stop betting money, or gambling, but don’t think you can.

hide signs of betting or gambling from your parents, friends or others.

are being criticized for your gambling or told you have a gambling problem.

have arguments at home, about money and gambling.

skip school or work for reasons related to gambling.
borrow money from someone and don't pay them back, as a result of gambling.

The About Alcoholism site has many links to resources for families of gambling addicts.

When it becomes more than a game it is time to get help. There are many resources where a player can find help.

Another good resource is www.problempoker.com. They offer a gambling self-exclusion program where one can block themselves from gambling websites, or you can block someone else.

If you really want to stop gambling carelessly, then you must put yourself through the process of learning to become a responsible gambler. If you do, along the way, you will start realizing that there's no way to beat any casino game; and that the more you bet, the more you will lose. Of course, there are systems and methods that help suppress or delay the losses, but that doesn't mean you are going to escape losing. It will be a disappointment at first to learn the truths of gambling, but it will also be satisfying to know that you are in control of your own gambling. As this knowledge is instilled into your mind, it will feel like an aura forming around you that will always keep you safe from gambling-related disasters. If you must gamble (to keep your sanity), then do so only if you are equipped with undeniable gambling knowledge and discipline that will keep you as far away from harm's way as possible.

CGS

Gambling:

the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
is the of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
play games for money
Gambling has become a normalized part of many cultures. It is not unusual for parents to purchase lottery tickets for their childen at an early age or to take them to play Bingo. Retrospective studies have indivated that adult problem gamblers report the onset of their gambling to have begun quite early, often begining between the ages of 10 - 19.

Symptoms and Signs of Problem Gambling

Taking time off of study and spending less time with family and friends in order to gamble
Secret gambling
Feeling remorse after losing money and vowing to quit
Gambling with money that is needed to pay the bills or solve financial problems
When losing, further bets are placed to win back any losse.
When money is won, more money is gambled to win more
Gambling when feeling down oe when a desire exists to celebrate
Bank and credit card statements go missing to hide what has been happening
Betting money can become a problem like alcholism and drug addiction
Gambling addiction is sometimes referred to as the "hidden illness" because there are no obvious physical signs or symptoms like there are in drug or alcohol addiction. Problem gamblers typically deny or minimize the problem. They also go to great lengths to hide their gambling. For example, problem gamblers often withdraw from their loved ones, sneak around, and lie about where they’ve been and what they’ve been up to.

The reasons for gambling of youths with video poker machines, sports betting, cards, or other forms of gambling, adolescents exhibit a number of dissociate behaviors; escaping into another world, ofter with altered egos. When playing, adolescents with serious gambling problems report that $20, playing all day, and losing all the money. A bad day is when the $20 only lasts 10 minutes. Ther three predominant resons all adolescents report gambling is for the excitement it brings, for enjoyment and to win money. Other adolescents engage in this behavior for peer pressure, to relieve boredom and to mask their depression.


Attitude and Knowledge about Gambling

When i'm betting, i must know the tricks and strategies if i want to win
If i lose while gambling, it's because i played badly
Betting is a good way to obtain money quickly
Betting money is a good way to take up a challenge
Anyone can stop betting easily
If i gamble often at a game of chance and money, i can become good and win more money
If i play lottery 6/49, i have more chances to win if i choose my lucky numbers
Problem gambling can strain your relationships, interfere with responsibilities at home and study, and lead to financial catastrophe. You may even do things you never thought you would, like stealing to get money to gamble or take money meant for your parent. You may think you can’t stop, but problem gambling and gambling addiction are treatable. If you’re ready to admit you have a problem and seek help, you can overcome your gambling problem and regain control of your life.


Myths & Facts about Gambling Addiction and Problem Gambling
MYTH: You have to gamble everyday to be a problem gambler.
FACT: A problem gambler may gamble frequently or infrequently. Gambling is a problem if it causes problems.
MYTH: Problem gambling is not really a problem if the gambler can afford it.
FACT: Problems caused by excessive gambling are not just financial. Too much time spent on gambling can lead to relationship breakdown and loss of important friendships.
MYTH: Partners of problem gamblers often drive problem gamblers to gamble.
FACT: Problem gamblers often rationalize their behavior. Blaming others is one way to avoid taking responsibility for their actions, including what is needed to overcome the problem.
MYTH: If a problem gambler builds up a debt, you should help them take care of it.
FACT: Quick fix solutions may appear to be the right thing to do. However, bailing the gambler out of debt may actually make matters worse by enabling gambling problems to continue.


How you know you have a gambling problem?
Feel the need to be secretive about your gambling. You might gamble in secret or lie about how much you gamble, feeling others won’t understand or that you will surprise them with a big win.
Have trouble controlling your gambling. Once you start gambling, can you walk away? Or are you compelled to gamble until you’ve spent your last dollar, upping your bets in a bid to win lost money back?
Gamble even when you don’t have the money. A red flag is when you are getting more and more desperate to recoup your losses. You may gamble until you’ve spent your last dollar, and then move on to money you don’t have- money to pay bills, credit cards, or things for your children. You may feel pushed to borrow, sell or even steal things for gambling money. It’s a vicious cycle. You may sincerely believe that gambling more money is the only way to win lost money back. But it only puts you further and further in the hole.
Family and friends are worried about you. Denial keeps problem gambling going. If friends and family are worried, listen to them carefully. Take a hard look at how gambling is affecting your life. It’s not a sign of weakness to ask for help.
4-D : Singapore’s most popular gambling pastime
4-D is the most popular gambling pastime in Singapore, with 53% of Singaporeans participating in the lottery, according to a recent survey by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports. In the survey conducted between December 2004 and February 2005, Singapore residents aged 18 and above were asked about their participation in gambling activities over the last 12 months. Among those who gambled, 64% started with 4-D and 78% began regular gambling with it. 4-D was also the most popular gambling activity among probable pathological gamblers.
Background
4-D was introduced in the 1980s as a four-digit lottery held on the weekends. In the lottery, players place their bet on any number combination from 0000 to 9999 out of which 23 winning numbers will be picked. On 9 August 2000, a Wednesday draw was added to the 4-D calendar. On 16 June 2005, Singapore Pools launched the iBet system, a cheaper way to place bets on all permutations of four-digit numbers. The biggest 4-D win was S$14 million won by a man in his 40s during a draw in September 2005. His bet for a single draw was estimated to be between S$4,667 and S$7,000.

How To Stop Gambling Addiction/ Quit Compulsive Gambling/ StepsTo Stop Problem Gambling

The general approach to preventing problem gambling among youth is to reduce risk levels by enhancing protective factors, such as family cohesion and connectedness to school, while strengthening their coping abilities and the surrounding environment.

Changing your lifestyle and making healthier choices
One way to stop yourself from problem gambling is to analyze what is needed for gambling to occur, work on removing these elements from your life and replace them with healthier choices. The four elements needed for problem gambling to continue are:

A Decision: Before gambling occurs, the decision to gamble has been made. If you have an urge to gamble: stop what you are doing and call someone, think about the consequences to your actions, tell yourself to stop thinking about gambling, and find something else to do immediately.
Money: Gambling cannot occur without money. Get rid of your credit cards, let someone else be in charge of your money, have the bank make automatic payments for you, and keep a limited amount of cash on you at all times.
Time: Gambling cannot occur if you don’t have the time. Schedule enjoyable recreational time for yourself that has nothing to do with gambling, find time for relaxation, and plan outings with your family.
A Game: Without a game or activity to bet on there is no opportunity to gamble. Don’t put yourself in tempting environments or locations. Tell the gambling establishments you frequent that you have a gambling problem and ask them to restrict you from betting at their casinos and establishments.
Parents’ Role in Prevention
The first thing parents should do is talk to their children. Communicating with a child or teen begins with listening. As a preventive measure, parents should talk to them about gambling to ensure they understand the risks when gambling. Encouraging conversation about gambling does not mean that you agree with the behaviour. In reality, it can help children make informed choices about their own behaviour.
It is important to be aware that children are more likely to gamble if they observe their family members gambling or hear their family members talking excitedly about gambling. Parents should be advised to discuss with their children that gambling is a form of entertainment and not a way to make money. This can help them understand that in addition to being fun, there are risks to gambling. Limiting or eliminating gambling activities in the home and replacing these with non-gambling family activities can help create a fun family environment.
If you think your child is gambling or gambling too much you have many options, including seeking professional help. Here are some general steps to follow:

Get informed about gambling and its risks.
Be aware of your own gambling behaviour and beliefs.
Encourage discussions and questions about gambling.
Listen to what your child has to say.
Set limits on time, money and frequency of gambling if problems are not severe.
Seek professional assistance if you think the problem is severe.

The problem is bio-chemical and requires a shift in brain chemistry. Pharmaceuticals are problematic and often have life-threatening side-effects.

I was reading about Inositol and fish oil's relationship on obsessive compulsive disorders at natural cures website. I ordered some of the natural supplements and low-and-behold it took about 7 or 8 weeks before my compulsive urges and thoughts about gambling stop getting the best of me.

Also, I suffer from some sexual addiction urges that have decreased to a great extent!

There are several more supplements that go along with the concoction but it is worth the effort and safe!

Revitalizer

I am responding to everyone who has been brave enough to voice their opinions and concerns about gambling. I am a compulsive gambler who is in recovery. This addiction is very powerful and affects people from all walks of life. To assist with my recovery I started a blog that journals the life of a compulsive gambler. It starts with recognizing I had a gambling problem, hitting rock bottom, seeking help, and my experiences through recovery. It is my person story, but I hope I can help at least one person with this terrible addiction. It is not just the gambler who is affected, it is everyone in the gambler's life. If you ever want to hear one person's experience, please feel free to stop by my blog. I would love to hear from you. http://thelifeofacompulsivegambler.blogspot.com/
I wish you the best and can tell you that there is help out there for those fighting the addiction and those living with a compulsive gambler. Jolene