I put roadblocks up between me and my money . I used a daily self-hypnosis video to cope with the urges . Disclaimer - I did not actually get hypnotized and it did not "cure" me . It did impart a positive message in my mind that made the compulsion easier to deal with . I used distractions . That was key . I made lists of stuff I could do when the urge hit - take a walk , read a few pages of a book , do an online puzzle , sing a song to myself or along with the radio . I tried everything and kept what worked .
At my worst moments , I got in the shower . Can't do squat when you're naked and soaking wet .
I found that the longer I could go without giving in to a compulsion , the weaker the compulsion became . In my case , the first 3-6 months were the worst . It was like denying a toddler his toy . My addiction reacted with tantrums - pleading , bargaining , persuading and eventually screaming and demanding that I go and gamble . It was , honestly , Hell . I had no peace .
The voice was in my head from the moment I woke until the moment I went to sleep . Eventually , by not giving in , the screaming became talking , the talking became whispers and the whispers slowed to a stop . I am 5 years in recovery now . The voice still , on rare occasions , pops up " suggesting " that I can go and gamble like normal people do . It's still trying to come back and take over again . But it has no more power over me , nor will it again . I am wise to the lies .
One thing I read stood out to me : An urge will pass whether you act on it or not .
That helped me and I found it to be true .