Responsible Gambling

Gambling itself is not the problem here; one’s inability to control it is. There’s nothing wrong with playing games for real money from time to time, but only if you treat it as entertainment. If you feel like gambling is becoming an important part of your life, something you think about on a daily basis, something you always look forward to – that’s where the real trouble begins. You must never put gambling above other things in your life, especially if it has already begun to damage your financial wealth and your relationships with other people. Of course, there are some general precautions you’ve got to take if you feel like it already becomes an issue:

1. Set Reality Checks – be honest with yourself: do you lose more than you win? Is it too hard on your wallet? Do you feel frustrated about it? Does it impact your mood and your relationships with family and friends? If the answer is yes, you’ve got that problem, and you need to start acting.
2. Set Limits – deposit limits are essential for keeping your gambling at bay. Never deposit more than you can lose without being troubled by it. Depending on your overall financial status, set up a limit that would be acceptable for you, and never go beyond it. This would help you have fun without losing too much money and causing damage to your financial wealth.
3. Take Time Outs – do not play every day, play one a month or so. That way, you’ll be having more fun every time you play, and you won’t be losing that much if you play seldom. Playing once in a while makes it easier for you to control your passion for gambling, and it also makes it much more enjoyable.

Following these simple steps, you can make sure gambling does not cause any trouble to you and your family.

There are many signs of addiction people might experience or notice. Of course, not every gambler is addicted, and playing from time to time does not make you a so-called problem gambler. Nonetheless, if you or your loved ones show certain signs of addiction, you might be willing to pay closer attention to that habit. The American Psychiatric Association came up with a list of signs of addiction, and if you feel like you have any of those symptoms, it might be the right time to reconsider your attitude toward gambling:

• You need to play with an increasing amount of money in order to feel excited and thrilled.
• Feeling irritated or stressed when trying to resist gambling.
• Repeatedly failing to ditch gambling or abstain from it for a prolonged period of time.
• Thinking about playing most of the time.
• Gambling becomes a way to escape from real-life issues or is used as a distraction from other problems.
• Chasing losses – addicts tend to bet more and more in an effort to win back the money they’ve previously lost.
• Lying to families and friends about how much and whether or not they gamble.
• Betting jeopardized or even destroyed their relationships with friends or loved ones, caused them to lose career opportunities, and threatened their financial wealth.
• Betting or gambling already caused them to borrow money from other people or financial institutions.

These are the signs of addiction, and if you or your loved ones exhibit even one of those, there’s no denying that issue. Apart from the officially recognized signs of the problem, there are some other small details you’ve got to pay attention to. These are some minor issues most people would just ignore, but you need to understand that any of those might be a sign of a severe issue.

• You feel isolated because of your desire to gamble.
• Breaking promises given to your loved ones because of gambling.
• Trying to carve up some time to gamble instead of spending time doing something useful or hanging out with people you love.
• Compromising your career and relationships for the game.

These all are subtle signs of the gambling problem, which is why you need to be extra cautious. If you notice any of the aforementioned signs, it is a good time to ask for help and try to change your ways. There’s nothing wrong about admitting the problem, and even more so, it is the first and the most important step to getting rid of it. If you have this problem and if it already inflicted some damage upon your personal life and financial stability, it is imperative that you start acting now. Luckily, there are organizations in Pennsylvania and other parts of the country that specialize in helping people with all sorts of addictions to get over it.

Of course, there are organizations that can help you get rid of that addiction and improve the quality of your life in a considerable manner. These organizations are non-profits that aim at bettering people’s lives and helping you get back on the rail. Here, we have a selection of the US-based and global organizations that are there to help you. Remember, there’s no shame in asking for help, and that there’s hope for everyone.

Gamblers Anonymous

Gamblers Anonymous is a global non-profit that helps people deal with gambling addiction via a number of steps and counseling programs. This organization works both in groups and in private sessions, and each of these approaches is meant to help addicts get rid of the source of their issues. You can start your path to recovery by attending a meeting near you and talking to other people who currently go through the same things as you. You can also talk to the counselors and ex-addicts to find out how you can deal with the problem on a personal level.

Bettors Anonymous

Similar to the previous organization, Bettors Anonymous is a non-profit that uses a 12-step program to help people get rid of betting addiction and change their lives for good. This organization provides help to the problem players worldwide, and you can surely receive some professional help from the counselors at the Bettors Anonymous. This might be your opportunity to make that first step towards a better life, so you should not waste any more of your time and just go and get it.

Gambling Therapy Online

This online service functions on the territory of the US providing people from all states with the chance to get professional help. There are support groups that aim at helping problem players deal with their disruptive habits. Depending on the severity of your addiction, you can enter different groups and seek help. This is a professional organization whose goal is to improve people’s lives through an active and positive change of habits. This is a great place for you to start your journey towards your new life without the disruptive effect of betting addiction.

SAMHSA

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is here to help people overcome a variety of issues, including substance abuse and gambling addiction. The Behavioral Health Treatment and Services center is meant to help people with a variety of behavioral disorders, such as betting abuse, find a new way in life and change for the better. If you feel like you need help, there are SAMHSA centers in Pennsylvania, so you can surely attend a meeting near you and make that first step towards better life quality. Getting rid of addiction is not easy, but with professional help, you can surely find the strength to make that powerful and positive impact.

Contact any of these organizations to get help and receive that second chance for a better life. Addiction is not the end of the world, and you can surely change your ways by setting up clear goals and being consistent in your desire for a positive change.

Addiction is never a good thing, and if you feel like your betting habit starts to interfere with other areas of your life and impact it negatively, it is time to change your ways. You need to be honest with yourself and understand where to draw the line. If you feel like you’ve already crossed it, you need to act swiftly and without hesitation, so you can change your life and not fall too deep into that pit. Go ahead, change your ways, and be brave on your way.