| Try
some of the following: |
•Attend
self–help meetings such as
Gamblers Anonymous. (click for more info).
•Avoid going in or near places where gambling
is available.
•Spend less time with people who gamble to
avoid being pressured into gambling.
•Carry only the minimum
amount of money that you need for the day. |
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Now,
call or visit a friend or family member that you can trust. Talk
about your urges
to gamble and how you are dealing with these feelings. Friends and
family who
support your decision to change will play a big role in helping
you achieve your goals.
Some people in your life, however, might not want you to change,
and these people
could potentially encourage you to gamble. If you know someone who
may do this,
avoid contacting that person—especially when you are experiencing
an urge to gamble.
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| If you
find that you gamble even though you are trying to quit, you are not
alone. Many people find that it takes several attempts to quit or
cut down on gambling. Stopping or reducing gambling is a very difficult
thing to do and you may not be able to do it the first time you try.
Remember, however, that a lot of people don’t even get this
far. By asking for information and thinking about change, you have
already begun your journey to a safer, happier, and healthier life.
If you do gamble and you don’t want to, that does not mean that
you will never be able to stop. Keep trying, keep talking to people
you trust, and keep asking for help. Going back to gambling doesn’t
make your goals any less valuable or possible.
|
| Hopefully this guide has
helped you think about change. It is a starting point, as well
as a roadmap for the process of change. Thinking about change
is not always easy. Should you decide a change is right for
you, you will encounter many obstacles along the way. Expect
them and be prepared. Your journey may be difficult at times,
but it will be well worth it. |
| Reading this guide may have helped you to notice new things about yourself. Some of these things can be hard to deal with. Some may even be life problems that don't have anything to do with gambling. If you think that you have some other types of problems (or even some gambling problems that you need more help with), you should consider getting additional support or treatment. Some of the resources found by clicking the link below will help you, should you decide to seek additional information or counseling. |
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