Recovery from Gambling Addiction: Practical Steps for a Better Tomorrow

For the last few weeks, I've been a regular in the gambling addiction and problem gambling communities on reddit and have seen many of the same questions being asked. "How do I stop gambling", or "Help, I've hit my rock bottom, how do I get out of this rut?". Now I'm no professional, I am just a fellow compulsive gambler who went through some of the same issues many of you all have gone through. Take this advice or blog with a grain of salt. Not all of these work for everyone. But as the first steps to wanting real change, realize you have an issue and are willing to put in the work on a daily basis to be better. The moment you are honest with yourself, telling yourself I am a compulsive gambler and want to change, you can. 

 

The next step is to self-exclude. Self-exclusions is basically a self imposed ban, telling the casino or sportsbook that you are aware you have a problem and mutually agree to not gamble on the app (kinda hard when you won't be allowed to use the app) or in person at the casino. The latter is kinda tricky because sometimes you can slip right past the person checking IDs or even some parts of the casino you can just walk right past without being asked to show an ID. If you do get caught at a casino that you have self-excluded from, you can face trouble with the law as that’s technically considered trespassing. Usually only lasts for a 1 to 5 year ban, after that YOURE FIXED! Wrong! They discontinue the ban and you're free, like Dobby the elf. But that will only get you right back where you started, back at the casino or sportsbook  gambling. If there is a lifetime ban, your future self will thank you for leaving this life behind you. 

 

 

I'll be up front and honest, while I tell others about going to Gamblers Anonymous, I, myself have only gone to 1 meeting ever in the last month. Maybe I have yet to find a group that I fit well with? Or maybe, I'm just hard-headed like many other compulsive gamblers.. While many compulsive gamblers  swear by going to GA meetings, it does not mean it’s the end all be all. Going to GA can definitely be a great source for those who are in recovery. Some others might find it to be a chore and not gain great value from it. It is one of those things where you get from it what you put into it. One type of support group meeting I have attended more of recently is SMART recovery meeting. SMART stands for self-management and recovery training. Gamblers anonymous is a 12 step program, similar to that of Alcoholics and narcotics anonymous programs. SMART recovery is a 4 step program and is open to any kind of addiction, including social media, shopping and phone.  The four steps are 1. building and maintaining motivation, 2. coping with urges and cravings, 3. managing thoughts, feelings and behaviors, 4. living a balanced life. They say gambling addictions are similar to those of drugs and alcohol so hearing from other addicts about their lives is very interesting when we put ourselves in their shoes. I think either program works the best. While we're all here for the same issue (compulsive gambling) what works for me, probably won't work for you, and vice versa. 

 

I think seeking a therapist is one of the most important things we can do as addicts. Typically with any addiction there is some underlying condition that eats at us and causes us to do what we do, gamble. Seeking out a therapist who specializes with addictions such as gambling would be the best thing we can do for ourselves to see what is truly wrong with us, why are we the way we are. There are inpatient centers around the country that could also be useful. While it might be very expensive, spending 30 days away from gambling, can give you a clearer way of thinking. There are four dedicated gambling addiction treatment centers around the country:

 

Algamus Gambling Treatment Services 

Prescott Valley of Arizona

 

Bridgeway Recovery 

Salem Oregon 

 

Core Center of Recovery 

Shreveport Louisiana

 

Vanguard Center for Gambling Recovery 

Granite Falls Minnesota

 

There are a few things to consider when looking into treatment centers: (Gambling Addiction: A complete guide to survival, treatment and recovery from gambling addiction and problem gambling)

 

1. Price

2. Insurance 

3. Will state fund your stay?

4. Offer a payment plan?

5. Any dedicated counselors available 24/7

6. How many other total patients

7. Any privileges for leaving the facility?

8. What is the food situation?

9. What happens after you get released?

 

 

Changing up what you do on a daily basis is key to recovery. For many of us, we gambled because we got bored. We were just sitting in front of the TV, mindlessly scrolling on our phones and wanted to win some money. In place of that mindless scrolling, one thing you can do is increase your physical exercise. In the last 4 months, I have increased the amount of physical exercise (3-4 days weekly) including both strength training and cardio. I try to split time 30 mins each. While you're increasing your physical exercise, you also should change what you're feeding you body. Making a nutritional change is huge and also helps the brain. Another activity that can be added is practicing gratitude. Practicing gratitude helps feel positive emotions, improve mental health and even improve relationships. When you practice gratitude, it changes signals in the brain by boosting serotonin (controls mood and is responsible for happiness) and activates the brain stem to produce dopamine, which was what we were chasing when gambling, only now, its a healthier form. Practicing gratitude makes you feel thankful for what you have rather than always wanting more. As compulsive gamblers, we get complacent, we are always wanting more. If we start to be more grateful for what is in front of us, we won't feel like we need more because we have enough.

It's gets better. One day at a time.