gettingpastgambling.com

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If your gambling is causing problems in your life, there are things you can do to minimise, control or stop the gambling problem.

Set some goals
Setting short-term and long-term goals may help you to stay focussed and clear about cutting down or giving-up your gambling.

Avoid high-risk situations
High-risk situations like use of credit cards, taking out loans, carrying large amounts of money with you, using gaming venues for socialising or gambling as a reaction to emotions will weaken your resolve to control or stop your gambling problem.

Ask for help
If you are finding it difficult to handle your gambling problem on your own, it may be useful to seek professional help. Gamblers Help Services has information on free, confidential information and support services.

Talk about it
Talking about gambling problems with somebody you trust can ease the pain of bottling it up. It can also reduce the stress that can cause you to continue to gamble.

Face the feelings
Becoming aware that you could be a problem gambler may cause feelings of shame and guilt. Self-blame and self-harm can increase stress and may urge you to gamble more. However acknowledging the problem and taking steps to seek out help can open the door for positive changes.

Be kind to yourself
Stop beating yourself up over the gambling problem and focus on the steps you are taking to overcome the problem. Acknowledge your positive achievements; write them down to remind yourself of your strengths and attributes.

Take stock
Problem gamblers are encouraged to keep a journal of their gambling behaviour and thoughts to help them identify and control the urge to gamble. View a sample diary that will help you keep your own journal.

Try to find an Alternative to gambling
Many people gamble because they do not know what else to do. Try to find an alternative recreational activity or hobby.

Set Timetables
It is easier to stay focussed on controlling or giving-up gambling when you set a weekly timetable and stick to it. A balance of work, rest, leisure and spending time with family is important.

Overcome the Urges
Urges are normal reactions to gambling; you may find it easier to deal with the urges by focussing on other things and resisting the urgent need to gamble. You could try some deep breathing techniques to help decrease the anxiety of the urges. Try phoning someone close to you or Gambler’s Help Line and talk about what you are feeling.

Prepare for a lapse
A lapse occurs when you gamble again after deciding to stop. You do not have to continue to gamble if this happens to you. You can use this to learn more about what triggers your gambling. When a lapse occurs, examine what worked and what didn’t work with your plan.

http://www.problemgambling.vic.gov.au/problemgambling/helpmyself.asp

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For the Gambler: Controlling Debt

Take responsibility for your financial situation: Contact a credit counselling service, a bankruptcy trustee, and/or make a "proposal to the creditors" and pledge to repay a portion of your outstanding debt. This will not only help with your finances, it will help re-build your self-esteem.

Don’t try gambling as a way to solve your financial troubles.

Get a part-time job if necessary. This will occupy your free-time and help keep you from looking for a ‘quick out’. It may be tough, but in the long run will help with your financial situation and make you feel better.

Put someone else you trust in charge of your ATM or credit cards, at least for a period of time, or destroy them completely.

Protect your assets by transferring their titles to your spouse or partner’s name.

Limit the amount of cash you have access to by:

* Having wages automatically deposited into your bank account
* Destroying ATM cards or personal cheque-books
* Setting up bank accounts that require two signatures for withdrawals, rather than just your own
* Setting up daily cash withdrawal limits
* Paying bills electronically, not in cash

Seek professional help from a problem gambling specialist, credit counsellor, etc.

Information about treatment centres, help line numbers and Gamblers Anonymous.

Copyright 2008. The Responsible Gambling Council[

http://www.responsiblegambling.org/en/help/protectingfinances-debt.cfm