Using Relaxation Techniques to Quit
Gambling
By Dr. Fourkan Ali
If you suffer from a gambling addiction and are trying to quit, then you may be
interested in learning about how relaxation techniques can help to fight the
urge.
Many gamblers will say that they have every
intention of never gambling again. After an especially bad losing streak where
they have lost a lot of money, they will feel guilty and ashamed and will
promise loved ones that they are going to stop. And at this point, they really
do believe they will never gamble again. At that very point in time, they have
no desire to gamble and are filled with feelings of shame and guilt that they
have succumbed to the urge once more.
However, after a period of time has passed,
the urge to gamble may come back and, when that happens, nothing can stop them
from satisfying it. They will not think of the consequences of losing because
they are so focused on gambling and are convinced they are going to win.
Controlling the Urge
If this sounds familiar to you, then you will
want to learn how to control the urge once it takes hold. One way to fight the
desire to gamble is to think of various scenes where you have the opportunity
to gamble but you choose not to. It is important to think of the typical
pattern that precedes a bout of gambling. For example, maybe you have noticed
that you tend to gamble when you feel upset or when you get a bill through the
door and you are worried about paying for it. It could be whenever you read or
hear about betting, or somebody winning money on a scratch card or the lottery.
What you need to do is try to picture yourself
at the point just before you usually gamble. Imagine what you feel when you see
a gambling advert on the television, for example. Picture yourself reaching for
your laptop or mobile phone about to log in to your betting account. Imagine
your betting account and what you normally see. Picture yourself about to find
your favourite casino game and how confident you are that you are going to win
big.
Now think of how you will feel when you lose
your money. Think of the emotions that will be surging through you as your
money slips away until there is nothing left. You will feel angry and guilty
for more or less throwing your money down the drain; for simply handing your
money over to the site owner who is making huge profits from your hard earned
money. Picture the disappointed faces of your loved ones when they find out you
have gambled again.
Now try to imagine yourself feeling bored with
the whole process. Imagine that even if you do win, you will simply plough
everything you have won back on more bets. Visualise yourself feeling bored
with the whole idea of betting and think of yourself putting down your laptop
or phone before you deposit any funds. You are in control of the urge, and by
not placing the bet, you feel good about yourself and proud that you fought the
craving.
Repetition
By imagining yourself before you are about to
gamble, (whatever scenario you typically find yourself in) and by picturing
yourself choosing to give up the opportunity to bet, you can control your
desire to gamble. The key is repetition, and by using this technique every time
you are about to bet, you can learn how to stop before you even begin.
It is a good idea to spend time each day
running through these scenes in your head. Find a place where you can relax and
close your eyes while you imagine yourself not betting. The more you run
through these scenes, the less likely you are to want to gamble and when the
urge does come, you will find it much easier to fight it.
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