Overcome Gambling Addictions

Posted on 9/16/2002

By Linda S. Mintle, Ph.D.
Psychotherapist
Use these seven strategies to help break an addiction to gambling.

Have you repeatedly disappointed and hurt family members and friends because you are addicted to gambling? Are you convinced that the next “big win” will solve all your problems? Gambling addictions are serious and they need to be treated. If you are a compulsive gambler who wants to conquer the habit, begin with these seven steps that will help you break the gambling addiction.

Gambling addictions need to be treated. It is common for gambling addictions to bring major relationship, financial, legal, emotional and spiritual problems. If you are a compulsive gambler, get help. Begin with these steps:

1. Admit you have a problem. The first step in treating any addiction is breaking through denial. If you are saying things like, “I can get control tomorrow. I’ll stop tomorrow. One more time and I’ll quit. The next time I’ll win,” you are in denial about the seriousness of your problem.

2. Go to a support group such as Gamblers Anonymous (GA). This is a national support group dedicated to helping people break free of gambling addictions. It has chapters in most cities. You can look on the Internet or locally under community services. Some churches sponsor groups. Support groups help you realize that you are not alone. Other people relate and identify with your struggles and keep you accountable, as well as support you.

3. Know you are powerless and need God’s help. The thinking of most addiction support groups acknowledges that it takes someone bigger than self to overcome compulsions. In your case, you need God’s help. Surrender to His plan and then call on Him. The Bible says He is your help in the time of trouble.

4. Take stock of your finances. For some of you, your compulsive gambling has depleted accounts that were meant for the future, college tuitions, retirement, emergencies and other unexpected expenses. You may need the help of a financial person to whom you can be accountable. Money is a source of temptation, so make yourself accountable to someone.

5. Examine your behavior. Is your behavior in line with God’s Word? Anything that becomes an idol is to be surrendered. Gambling is an idol. Spend your time doing things that make you stronger in the Lord. We are biblically instructed to first seek the kingdom of God, and then He will add things that we need. The key here is to seek God. Spend time in the Word (not at the race track). Take time to pray rather than anxiously waiting to see if you won. Work on conforming to His image in all areas of your life.

6. Ask those you’ve wronged to forgive you and make restitution when possible. You’ve hurt people along the way. Go back and deal with the damage.

7. Learn better ways to cope with stress. Obviously, gambling is a bad way to deal with stress. You need to learn other healthy outlets for stress. You may need to work with a therapist on this. When you give up a behavior, you need to replace it with a new behavior.

The only sure bet is Jesus Christ. He promised you eternal life if you accept Him as Savior and make Him Lord. The one thing you don’t want to gamble away is your eternity.

Dr. Mintle - Dr. Linda Helps – author, professor, Approved Supervisor and Clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy – is a speaker and media personality, as well as a licensed clinical social worker with twenty years in psychotherapy practice. For more articles by Dr. Linda S. Mintle, go to Counseling and Advice on the Health Channel.