Reginald Blair 
Identify their cause. They could be experiencing underlying mental health issues or just going through difficult times at work, home, or financially that lead them down this path of gambling behavior.
Avoiding high-risk situations is an excellent first step, whether that means forgoing credit cards, loans or carrying around large sums of cash.
Pay close attention to your finances
People struggling with gambling addiction will frequently lie to others to hide their behavior. They may stay out late, steal money from family and friends to fund their habit or be irritable or angry due to this behavior; if it affects relationships, careers or health it may be time to intervene and suggest they seek professional assistance.
Gambling addiction can have devastating repercussions for everyone involved, from relationships and finances to mental health and even spiritual wellbeing. If you suspect someone you care about may have a gambling problem, acting quickly could prevent further problems arising here are some suggestions on how you can do just that:
Know the rules of the game
Gambling can be an enjoyable activity for people who gamble responsibly, but for others it can become an addictive habit that negatively impacts finances, relationships, work, health and mental wellbeing – sometimes leading to depression and anxiety or even leading to suicide attempts.
Gambling addiction often means lying to family and friends about the amount or place where they gamble, staying out late gambling, stealing money from family, selling personal belongings to fund their habit, etc.
One way to overcome gambling addiction is to remind yourself that gambling equals loss. One effective strategy for doing this is writing “gambling equals loss” on a post-it note and placing it somewhere visible; you could also try other stress management techniques like meditation, yoga, reading/writing activities or exercise as ways of breaking away.
Avoid high-risk situations
Gambling can become an issue for people from all backgrounds. It can strain relationships, bring financial ruin and even lead to criminal activities. Therefore, it is crucial that individuals identify any situations or events which trigger gambling behavior and take measures to eliminate them as quickly as possible.
Finding ways to occupy your time can also be invaluable; whether that means rediscovering an old pastime, taking up something completely new, exercising regularly, meditation techniques and/or stress management approaches could all provide you with much-needed respite from work and stress management strategies.
If your commute to work takes you near a casino, consider finding another route or keeping to an alternative plan. Leave credit cards at home, carry only what’s necessary with you and refrain from visiting gambling websites and television shows to reduce temptation for gambling and maintain fun experiences without feeling bored – something which can sometimes lead to gambling as an escape route. This way you will avoid boredom leading to gambling!
Stay away from casinos and online gambling sites
Gambling addictions can have devastating repercussions for relationships, finances and careers. From sports bets and cards, roulette, poker or slots in casinos or online to betting on sports events or cards for fun at casinos such people with gambling problems often lose control and end up doing things they would have never imagined doing otherwise. Research shows that gambling addiction causes changes similar to other process addictions with cravings, impaired-control and withdrawal symptoms similar to drug users.
At last, it is possible to break free from gambling addiction. Steps that may help include recognising its symptoms, setting limits and boundaries, and staying away from high-risk situations. Coping mechanisms as well as activities which provide meaning may also help. For instance, exploring new hobbies, spending time with loved ones or furthering education/self improvement could all provide relief from addiction.
Don’t blame yourself
Remembering that gambling behavior is rarely caused by one individual is vitally important; oftentimes a combination of factors such as stressors and personality types that tend towards compulsive behaviours are at play here, alongside existing mental health conditions that contribute to compulsive gambling-behaviors.
Step one in conquering gambling addiction is admitting there is one. Doing this takes strength and courage, particularly when the habit has already caused financial hardship or damaged personal relationships.
As important, it’s also essential to remember that it is not your duty to fix someone else’s problems; however, you can help by eliminating triggers and temptations that lead them down a downward spiral. For instance, if your partner finds themselves drawn towards gambling during sports broadcasts or when driving past casinos on their commute home from work, try changing channels or taking an alternate route home instead.
