Gambling is a serious problem that can lead to many financial, professional, legal consequences and psychological issues. Fighting this addition is very hard and exhausting. When you are living in Las Vegas, the struggle to cope with gambling addiction is almost unbearable. The City of Sin has gambling temptations in every corner. Still, there are ways to deal with your gambling problem by recognizing your issue, coping with it, managing triggers to gambling, and getting help and support.
Admit that you have a problem
Denial is the worst enemy of every addict. Recognizing and admitting that you may have a gambling problem is the first major step to your recovery. The sooner you do that, the sooner you can start to cope with gambling addiction. The longer you deny it, the risk of getting into serious trouble is higher.
Take a look at this signs and symptoms of a gambling problem and see if you can recognize your behavior in any of them. Be honest with yourself – that’s the most important.
Sings of gambling addiction:
- Getting a thrill from gambling risks
- Making increasingly bigger gambling risks over time
- total preoccupation with gambling
- Reliving past gambling experiences
- Using gambling as a way to escape negative emotions or problems
- Feeling remorse or guilt after gambling
- Lying about gambling
- Borrowing money or stealing to gamble
- Making gambling your priority
- Repeatedly trying to cut back on gambling and failing
Understand the risks of gambling
Compulsive gambling is one of the worst addictions. Once you are in its vicious cycle, it can be very hard to get out. Gamblers usually don’t think about the consequences of their actions. That’s how the wealthy people end up homeless in a very short time. The thrill that gambler is getting is so big that they won’t think about anything else. They won’t stop and think what will happen if they lose. That loss can be money, their car, their house, or even a loved one.
Excessive gambling is leading to depression, anxiety, aggression, alcohol and drug abuse, relationship issues and a lot of illnesses that stress is causing.
Pathological and addictive gambling can is reducing the ability to evaluate the consequences of your actions, which are usually followed by regret.
Identify the reasons and managing triggers to gambling
In order to cope with gambling addiction, you have to identify why is this action so seductive to you. By realizing what are the triggers for your behavior will help you to deal with your impulse to gamble. Do you have a desire to gamble in a certain situation, company or you have that urge when you are in some emotional distress? When you know what is behind your desire to gamble, you will have more power to control yourself.
When you know what is behind your desire to gamble, you will have more power to control yourself.
Get help
People are not prone to asking for help until is too late. If you notice any signs that you may have a gambling problem, it’s time to get some help. It is very hard to cope with gambling addiction alone, and you shouldn’t. Once you make the first step and admit yourself that you have a problem, the other one is, to be honest with your family and friends. The people who love you want what’s best for you, so they will be your strength throw this thorny road.
Still, you have to prepare yourself that you will need professional help to cope with gambling addiction.
Luckily, there are many great places that you can get help in Vegas like:
- Algamus Gambling Treatment Services
- Compass Recovery Center
- Renewed Mind Behavior Health Service
- Oasis Counseling
- Resolutions Behavioral Health Therapy
How to cope with gambling addiction when living in Las Vegas
Las Vegas is a tempting place for gamblers on recovery. It is the gambling capital of the world, so it’s no wonder why many can’t resist its temptation. Still, if you are determined about resolving your gambling problem, there are ways that you can survive in Las Vegas without risking to fall off the wagon again.
Avoid triggers
Anything that you can associate with gambling can wake up your desire to gamble. The best way to cope with gambling addiction is to simply avoid triggers at the beginning. Cut out all the enablers, like your gambling buddies – they are not your true friends and you don’t need them in your life. Forget about your desire to become croupier in Las Vegas or any other casino position and find a new carrier path. Stay away from the casinos and sports betting places. Poker night at your friend’s house? Skip it.
Eliminate bad influences.
When you get your gambling addiction under control, start exposing yourself to these places and situation, but in the first phases in your recovery, try to keep your distance.
In the city like Las Vegas, it can be easier said than done. Still, at the end of the day, it’s the city like every other. It has its bad areas and also amazing ones. If your neighborhood is crawling with gambling temptations, there are some great neighborhoods in Las Vegas to move to.
Face the reality
Prepare yourself mentally that you will be facing a lot of temptations. When you know your demons, it will be easier to conquer them. Have a reason why you don’t want to gamble. It has to be a really good one that is the most important to you. Think about it any time that you are facing with situations and places that can trigger your urge to gamble.
It will keep you motivated to stay on the right path.
Keep busy
Your brain is a curious device. When it feels the rush that gambling brings, it will always want more. When you denied them that thrill, it will constantly remind you of it. The best way to beat it in order to cope with your gambling addiction is to trick it. Occupy it with other things. Focus on the work or enroll in some classes. Find a hobby or sports activity that you like. Go visit some of the best Las Vegas attractions that will totally keep your mind busy. Meditate. Make every day exciting and try to be happy that you are doing something good for yourself.
Over time, you will forget the urge to gamble. It may never fade away completely, but you will learn to cope with gambling addiction. One day at a time. On the other hand, if you’ve ever been thinking about relocating to Las Vegas, let us tell you that you share the same desire with thousands of people since Las Vegas offers so many opportunities for career, education, etc. And if you ever need the help of a professional moving company, make sure to contact the one you can truly trust.