Benefits of habit “Stop gambling”

✓ Reduces financial issues
✓ Helps eliminate debt
✓ Maintains relationships
✓ Increases savings
✓ Reduces anxiety and stress

First step:

Miss 1 session today

Progress:

1. Today, no matter your gambling method (in casino, online, on your phone, etc.), skip 1 session today. Start with the shortest one and keep skipping once per day for 1 week.
2. Next week, skip 2 sessions.
3. Keep skipping more and more sessions until you’re gambling free.

Helpful tips to make it a habit:

✓ Trigger your mind. This one depends on the type of gambling you are participating in. If it’s all on our mobile or computer, start by uninstalling some or all gambling applications. If you go to physical gambling venues, use a stress ball you can carry everywhere to hold on to as you tear yourself away from the venue.
✓ Let the app help. Use the reminder function of this app to ring you up in the morning or during the day to remind you to stop gambling sessions. You may also track your progress on the calendar of this app by marking out the days you couldn’t resist betting.
✓ Reward yourself. Once you’ve gone through a month of serious reduction, celebrate by spending the time you used to dedicate to gambling with your loved ones. See the difference it makes and how much they appreciate your presence.

Tips for beginners:

✓ Addiction. Gambling addiction is very real and can be detrimental to your life. If you’re struggling while trying to reduce your sessions, try going cold turkey. List yourself as an addict so the gambling venues would know to not let you in. Delete all apps from your phone and computer and ask a close person to put a password-protected lock on downloading any additional applications.
✓ Reasons. Like any addiction, gambling releases dopamine into your system, which causes you to feel elated. When it recedes, you’re unhappy again and feel compelled to look for a hit again. Understanding this physical aspect of gambling addiction can help you persevere through the harsh withdrawal if you go cold turkey. Even gradual reduction may have similar effects. Keep strong.
✓ Alternatives. Just because you haven’t tried them, doesn’t mean other activities won’t distract you or make you happy and fulfilled. As soon as you start reducing the amount you spend gambling, start looking for alternative activities. It will keep you busy and away from thinking of how much you want to bet.