I am the new girl

Until the '80s, someone throwing away large amounts of money on gambling was considered fashionable.

In the 1980s, the American Psychiatric Association officially identified pathological gambling as a mental disorder.

At that time, about 1.1 million Americans engaged in problematic and compulsive gambling. The number has increased since that time to between 5.1 and 8.4 million people in the United States that meet the criteria for the current diagnosis of gambling addiction.

5 Strategies to Avoid Getting Addicted to Gambling

One does not have to gamble every day to be considered addicted. A person can be identified as an addict - or more accurately, a "problem gambler" - if they display some of the symptoms of the disorder.

Of course, one can gamble responsibly. Addiction, however, is a serious matter that can manifest at any moment.

To promote safe and healthy approaches to gambling, here are five strategies to avoid gambling addiction.

1. Avoid temptation

If you are having problems stopping yourself from playing at the blackjack table (even if you are winning), then that urge has to be tackled.

It is essential to know when to stop. Most people do not cash out when they are winning. The best time to collect your winnings is when you are on a high. Do not let greed get the best of you.

The overall environment of a place can influence a gambling addiction that leads to losses. Racetracks, casinos, sports fields, or any other popular betting or gambling sites should be off-limits for an easily enticed person.

Temptations can also stem from relationships. Certain people can be a bad influence, leading you in the wrong direction.

Any environment that makes you risk more than you should, encouraging you to be greedy is not the best place to be.

2. Don't let boredom be a reason

Sometimes, gambling addiction can be a coping mechanism for boredom. Ex-gamblers find the rush of winning or losing in an instant appealing.

Therefore, one needs to plan activities to replace what would have been a typical day in the casino with a different stimulating task.

Since research indicates that people attracted to gambling have more of a problem tolerating boredom than the average person, the substituting activity has to be especially compelling and interesting. After all, old habits die hard.

Some productive activities include exercising, spending time with people who do not gamble at all and practicing meditation techniques. These are some healthier choices that will allow you to unwind, manage moods, and reduce the feeling of boredom.

3. Rekindle an old hobby

While taking up a new activity is a good choice, coming back to a hobby discovered in the past can be even more beneficial.

When people focus only on gambling, other interests, passions, and favorite activities become less important. If gambling is not part of the equation, one could pick up on a lost hobby.

Returning to some of your hobbies will boost your self-esteem. You will renew some skills that you probably lost because of the amount of time you were devoted to gambling.

The resurrection of the old hobby can simultaneously serve to remind the ex-gambler of their remarkable life before the gambling addiction took over, and renew hope for their new life ahead.

Balance is good, and everything should be done in moderation. It is okay to gamble a small amount of money as a form of entertainment, but make sure you are investing time in other hobbies, too.

4. Set limits

With an unlimited amount of money, people sometimes cannot keep track of how much they are gambling away. Restricting cash flow and creating a budget from the beginning enforces responsible gambling.

A limit should not be changed after you have entered the casino. Credit cards, checks, and other possibilities for monetary transactions have to be out of reach to avoid temptation. Extra cash should be left at home.

The money that comes with you to the gambling floor should be a reasonable amount. However, since there is a fair chance all of that cash will be lost sooner rather than later, consider creating a mental plan of your reactions and following actions.

Money should be budgeted when visiting a casino or any other entertainment facility containing gambling or betting games. Irresponsible gambling can quickly transform into an addiction (see this report about why seniors are at high risk of losing money at casinos).

5. Take frequent breaks

A breather or a step back can make a significant difference between addictive behavior and a healthy relationship with gambling.

While most believe that a break will somehow ruin a hot streak, that is mostly not the case.

Leaving a slot machine or a craps table permits the player to collect thoughts and come back to reality. For example, a simple two-minute break allows you to check on how much time has passed, and the amount of money spent. It can help you come back to your senses and make a well-thought decision.

Gambling should be an enjoyable and entertaining activity. A break allows a player to analyze whether those are the emotions they are actually experiencing. If their behavior is more obsessive, aggressive, and frustrated, then the break could indicate that it is time to call it a night.

Gambling addiction is a severe and classified mental disorder; but responsible and safe gambling definitely can be possible.

Various online gambling websites provide great games along with tips on how to safely gamble . For example, OnlineCasinoGems offers information on bonuses, free games, and strategies to make money gambling online through secure casinos.

Gambling addictions are harmful. There are many bankruptcies, burglaries, spousal abuse, child neglect, foreclosures, and suicides connected to gambling addictions in the United States.

There are also plenty of steps and precautions to consider to practice gambling safely.

Even though gambling receives a bad reputation, the end goal of the activity is to provide fun and entertainment for the players. This mission can be achieved as long as gambling is handled responsibly and necessary precautions are taken.

my site; casino games online free