Gambling is a common leisure activity, be it on sports or on peer to peer games or just for banter. While gambling on its own is not a “grim reaper”, it can very much be associated with addiction. When individuals become addicted to gambling, they most certainly never come out winners, they tend to lose more than they ever gain and still continue even when the “ship is almost sunk”.
Ultimately, gambling addiction is something that can be managed with the help of specialized therapists, but such therapists are not readily available in Nigeria. This makes it paramount for each individual with an addiction to gambling to “take the bull by the horn” and curb the menace by themselves. Some little steps in dealing with gambling addiction include;
1. Acknowledge you have a problem
Most addictive gamblers do not know they have a problem or decide to turn a blind eye at that, there is no conscience check to stop them from throwing more money into the pot. Acknowledging you have a problem is the first step to solving that problem, and then you can begin taking little steps forward.
2. Secure your finances
Having easy access to your savings can fuel your gambling addiction. Challenge yourself by making it hard for you to access your finances for gambling purposes. You could uninstall your banking app, open a current account, keep your ATM card with a trusted fellow e.t.c. Make sure you would have to go through an amount of stress to get the finances you need for gambling
3. Find other distractions
You should also find other things to do and prevent idle situations that might push you back to gambling. Online games, reading, social media, book writing, graphic designing, and so on. Anything that will take your mind off gambling.
4. Inform your friends
Your circle should know that you are trying to curb your gambling habits. This information will not only get you the necessary support you need but also “red-light” any form of “gambling promoting” discussions or actions your friends might come up with when they are around you. Your friends have the power to crumble all the efforts you have been building over time in just mere moments when it comes to gambling.
5. Recall what you have lost
Have a mental picture or list of the amount of money or properties you have lost or its estimate, think about that at all times, think about what you could have actually used those finances for in other areas of your life, and how it would have benefited you. This is a thought that can elicit a phobia for your gambling addiction and it is good for you.
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