www.safe-gaming.com

Fighting Gambling Addiction with Accountability

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Is gambling truly an addiction? Yes. Sure, gambling may not be up there with alcohol or various drugs but any behavior that is centered on a habit or activity that becomes compulsive can be classified as a valid addiction. And gambling, much like any other addiction, can have catastrophic effects on the lives of not just the addicted but the family and loved ones, as well. That is why it is so important to fight this addiction and eliminate it or at least reduce it to a more manageable level, and one of the best ways this can be accomplished is accountability.

Accountability can help anyone addicted to gambling by teaching them to fight their urges by presenting them with the burden of having to report their actions to a trusted confidant. This is not meant to be demeaning, quite the opposite. Through accountability, the addicted is never alone in their fight and there are a number of ways you can hold the addicted accountable. If you are the friend of someone addicted to something, you could keep in touch regularly on the phone or email.

If you are living with someone and you get your home security through places like www.HomeSecuritySystems.com then you could use your system to your advantage. Activate the chimes on the doors and know when someone might be leaving to go gambling. Sure, it seems a little rough and extreme, but which hurts more? Answering to your friends for your addiction or answering to the bank when you lose all your money?

Getting Back to a Normal Life During Your Recovery

admin — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Getting back to a normal life during your recovery from a gambling addiction can be difficult if you do not focus on other aspects of your life. Statistics show that people recovering from a gambling addiction who did not have firm life goals set, and were not working toward those goals would fall back into their addiction. So getting back to a normal life during your recovery requires you to get back into life, and the things that make life worth living.
The best things in life that help people the most on their road to recovery is family, investing your time in family activities is a wonderful and effective way to keep your eyes on the prize of normal life away from gambling. Finding a new hobby or reviving an old one can be a wonderful way to spend quality time with yourself and others, and keep your mind from wondering. Being around others is also a great way to prevent the temptation to run off and gamble.
Getting back to a normal life during your recovery may come with some relapses, but if you focus on your life goals that involve your family, then you will make it.

How Gambling Affects Your Family’s Future

admin — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Gambling is a hobby that many people engage in. There is nothing wrong with gambling in moderation, but if it is does in excess, it can have a negative impact on the person and his or her family. A person may begin to neglect spending time with his or her family to go gambling. Many divorces and separations have been caused by excessive gambling.

Additionally, gambling can also drain a person of his or her finances. This can cause financial difficulty for the entire family. Many families have been put out of their homes due to the fact that they could not afford to make mortgage payments.

Gambling is something that has ruined many people lives. Fortunately, a person can get help before it gets out of control. The first thing that gambler has to do is admit that there is a problem. This is a difficult step because most people who have a gambling addiction have difficulty admitting that their gambling is out of control. The next step is to seek treatment. Today, there are many treatment facilities available for those who have a gambling problem. The professionals help people identify the circumstances that lead to the addiction and how to avoid them.

Different, Effective Treatments For a Gambling Addiction

admin — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Gambling has often been called the hidden disease because those who are addicted show no outward physical signs in the way a drug addict or alcoholic would. The consequences can be just as devastating to individuals and their families, however. And the hardest step is acknowledging that a problem exists.

There are multiple treatment options for this compulsive disorder. One is the traditional 12-step program Gamblers Anonymous. One chooses a sponsor who is also recovering from addiction who can provide support when needed and valuable advice at any time. Another is cognitive-behavioral therapy, which focuses on reshaping attitudes by examining the mistaken beliefs and justifications that gamblers have developed. They learn to replace these false ideas with the truth about gambling and the burdens it causes not only to the gambler but also to friends and families.

One variation of the therapy approach is a four-step program: re-label, refocus, reattribute and revalue. Feelings and attitudes are changed in four steps as one examines mistaken ways of thinking and finds substitute feelings that are productive and worthy. Any program for treatment must be tailored to the individual who may gamble for a variety of reasons. That is why different, effective treatments for a gambling addiction are necessary.

The Importance of Supporting Your Loved Ones During Their Struggle

www.safe-gaming.com — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Are you a friend or partner with someone who enjoys gambling but takes their gambling over the line by leaving the bills unpaid, draining bank accounts, and going to the casinos online or live casinos. Betting the money away can cause your relationship many problems. However, you can learn the importance of supporting your loved ones during their struggles of having a gambling addiction. To begin with, you can be your own person and be able to live your life without their addiction interfering how you live.

The statistics show that compulsive gambling in the United States has grown to approximately two and a half-million adults suffering from compulsive gambling in 2011. The research also shows there can be up to three-million adults that are problem gamblers and not yet crossed into the compulsive range. There are also well over one-hundred-forty-eight-million adults are in the category of low risk.

The statistics in the research done is staggering. Yet an addicted gambler believes that compulsive gambling is not their problem. Many believe that they are having some fun and winning some money on their better days. Although the gamblers might win and feel lucky this could be the beginning of the addiction to gambling. Many people do not start out believing they cannot stop. No, they believe they are playing for fun until they win money and then continue to chase the winning over again.

The effects gambling has on families is the loss of control on time and money as the addicted gambler will spend more time gambling and more money each time. It becomes difficult for your loved one to connect on life problems while gambling excessively. With mixed feelings and knowing that their causing problems for the ones they love by spending the money for bills and food.

It is difficult to believe the addict that they will stop because every time they do it seems to last only days. With getting the help, they need helps to offer a better chance for them to stop gambling and be able to admit to the severity of their addiction. This will heal the family as will not living their life for them. Being strong while you see the symptoms listed is one way to keep your family strong through the tough times. Some signs and symptoms are
- Money missing
- Valuables missing
- Addict become withdrawn from friends and family
- Sneaky and secretive
- Worried and preoccupied
- Missing important dates as birthdays
- Miss work
- Neglecting the family, bills, work, and exciting feelings

As the addict needs help, so do the loved ones in order to understand their gambling. Counseling helps families to understand and try to be involved in all resources offered to you and your family. While trying to keep your family together.