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The Connection Between Problem Gambling and Stress

05 Jun

Do you or someone you know have a gambling problem? Recent studies have shown that it may be caused by one or more of the following; alcoholism, bipolar disorder, major depression, drugs that may be prescribed to treat Parkinson’s disease, or even stress. Gambling is often used as a stress reliever and diversion, but for people with certain risk factors, it can lead to a problem and even pathological or compulsive gambling.

Clinicians who treat gambling problems usually agree that the best way to treat the problem is by immediate cessation, support groups, and controlling other contributing factors such as those mentioned above. Following that line of thought, for people who gamble to relieve stress, using a relaxation strategy may help to control the problem. But what exactly is a relaxation strategy and how can you use it effectively?

A relaxation strategy is a tailored plan to relieve stress in your life by

1. recognizing stressors (when possible)

2. eliminating stressors (when possible)

3. using physical exercise and other stress relieving methods like hypnosis, meditation, or diversions such as hobbies.

Guided meditations are one of the ways that a person can relax and relieve stress. One of the nice things about guided meditations is that they may be downloaded off the internet and also they may be tailored with suggestions that also help to control problem gambling as well as relaxing the person who is meditating and thereby relieving stress. The two pronged approach of relieving stress and also using hypnotic suggestions to control gambling can be very effective.

The reason they are so effective is that when you are deeply relaxed your subconscious mind is more accessible and open to suggestions. Your subconscious mind is where your emotions and behavior originate. You are driven by your emotions and stored or learned behavior. Gambling to relieve stress is a learned behavior. No one is born knowing that gambling will relieve the stress he or she experiences, but over time, problem gamblers learn to use gambling to control the stress in life. Unfortunately, for some people, the learned behavior spirals out of control.

So replacing gambling with a good guided meditation can help to relieve the desire to gamble. Guided meditations come in many varieties and styles.

For more information about controlling gambling problems with guided meditations, go to http://gamblingproblems.homestead.com

Wil Langford, R. Hy., is a 54 yr. old. Clinical Hypnotherapist, Integrated Energy Therapist, and teacher. He is the author of, “Your Loved Ones, Your Self; finding and Raising the Family Within.”

With hundreds of hours of clinical work, Wil is an expert on finding the keys to change unwanted behavior. His guided meditations for relaxation and habit control have helped many people to find happiness and change their lives for the better.

He is an expert on human consciousness and the author of Parts Consciousness Therapy. Will offers his guided meditations for gambling problems online and they may be listened to or downloaded at http://gamblingproblems.homestead.com for gambling problems relief. He may also be contacted by email there to answer questions free of charge.

 
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Gambling Addiction – How to Help a Problem Gambler

08 Dec

Do you have a close friend or relative with a gambling problem? Do you want to help them but you don’t know how? Is their gambling problem drastically affecting their life and possibly yours? As a former gambling addict I can tell you what is effective and what is not.

One of the most important things to NEVER tell a gambling addict is to JUST QUIT. You will most definitely alienate this person. They will feel that you do not understand them and/or unwilling to try. You will instantly create a “wall”. By making such a statement you will not likely be able to help this person further until you regain their trust.

The next thing to remember is do not enable this person who has a gambling problem. You will not be helping them at all. A gambling addict will come up with all kinds of creative reasons why they need your help financially. DO NOT believe them. In order for a gambling addict to stop gambling he/she must learn the consequences of his/her actions.

You can offer to help with the gambling addicts finances by safeguarding their ATM and credit cards. It can be disastrous for the problem gambler to keep these on hand. However much the gamblers resolve is to not gamble they are often spontaneous and will use their bank cards on a whim. DON’T insist they give you their cards. They must be willing to allow you to do so.

The next thing I recommend is to encourage the person with a gambling problem to seek counselling. I highly recommend a therapist who practices hypnotherapy. This type of therapy effectively replaces negative thinking within the gamblers subconscious mind with positive thoughts. These positive thoughts will allow the problem gambler to increase their self-esteem and confidence. Along with this therapy you can also encourage your friend or relative to attend Gamblers Anonymous meetings regularly.

The last, and most drastic, decision you may have to make is to leave this person if you are living with them. If they are draining your finances by not paying their share then it is time for them to go. You can still offer emotional support with your love and understanding, but use the “tough love” approach.

I wish you the best in your endeavours to assist your friend or relative with their gambling addiction. It is a tough addiction to quit but it is do-able.

Written by Cynthia Romero, author of the Smile More Today and Tomorrow website. Visit my website for more information on Hypnosis.

 
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Problem Gambling Effecting Local Economy

01 Dec

Political leaders are approving gambling establishment developments in hope to raise needed revenue with out consequence to their constituents. Political leaders are aware that a significant number of people already have a problem gambling and the likelihood of more people developing an addiction is likely to increase. It’s unfortunate but these same leaders refuse to do anything about it since the increased revenues from the gambling establishments helped to fund many state needed programs.

Political leaders look at the short run, because they are continually being tested to see what they can do for their voters. These leaders are not elected for life and usually serve for two years unless they are elected again. Once they are up for re-election they tell the voters this is what they have accomplished during their term. It’s unfortunate but these gambling establishments slowly deplete the economy. By the time all the negative affects are felt either the political leader is no longer in office, up for re-election with all new promises or another source of revenue is found. This political game continues until enough people put pressure on their leaders. Problem gambling is a silent addiction and very few people are willing to admit they have a compulsive gambling addiction, lost all their money to gambling, stole from their employer so they could gambling and or are embarrassed to let their love ones know they had a problem. Once again the political leader win and their voters and the local economy lose.

People are gambling excessively. A gambling establishment could not expand at the rate they are growing if people weren’t losing their money. These same people cut their spending at their local shopping centers, personal entertainment like movies and cut spending for everyday staples. I met one mother who stopped buying milk. She figured she could save twenty dollars a month and this would give her more resources to gamble. Now that she stopped she can’t believe that she could do such a thing to her family.

The gambling establishments created an empire. They opened gift shops, entertainment concert halls, gas stations and unique restaurant inside their entertainment complex. They give every patron a tracking card that earns them points only valid at their gambling complex while they gamble. They then use these points to eat, entertainment, hotel and or purchase gifts. This past holiday a significant number of people saved some of their points to buy family gifts. Once again the gambling establishments win and the local businesses and shopping centers lose.

Not everyone has a gambling addiction, but a good majority of people enjoy recreational gambling. It’s unfortunate but even a casual gambler gambles more then they expected. These casual gamblers people also will have to cut back their spending for a short time. They may not go out to their local diner because they cn eat for free at the gambling establishment. In all these situations, the local economy suffers. People who live with in fifty miles of a gambling establishment are more like to be negatively affected.

It’s time to find a solution to this growing epidemic. Political leaders need to step up to the plate and stop the abduction of the people. Recently their have been a significant number of commercials dealing with gambling addiction. Everybody applauded this first attempt to deal with gambling addictions. Unfortunately it appears the leaders are too late. An acre of land on fire can not be distinguished with a cup of water.

The only solution to stopping the problem gambling is to regulate the gambling establishments and or consider closing them down until a solution is found. No matter which direction the political leaders choose they need to pick up their pace.

Mr. Howard Keith has an extensive background in dealing with compulsive gamblers, relatives and friends of gamblers and teenage gamblers. Mr. Keith believes there are many alternatives to aid in the recovery of a gambling addiction verses a twelve step program. A large percentage of his emails were from compulsive gamblers looking for an alternative to Gamblers Anonymous and twelve step programs. Gamblers Anonymous also helps a significant number of people each year but there is a large percentage that they are unable to reach. For more information on gambling addiction and stop gambling you can check out

I Stopped Gambling So Can You http://www.istoppedgambling.com/

 
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How to Help a Loved One With a Gambling Problem Stop Gambling and Control the Addiction

17 Oct

Do you love someone who seems to be out of control with a gambling problem? Maybe it is a subtle presence in his or her life that is having a negative effect, though on the surface, things seem fine. It may appear that he or she is not trying to deal with the addiction, may not even admit that there is one, but as the old saying goes, “Still waters run deep.”

Your loved one may want to stop gambling, but may not know how. There may be a great inner struggle going on and the last thing he or she needs is more pressure. Sometimes the pressure of having someone talk about his or her problem may be too much. It is best to let that person bring the subject up when the time is right according to their inner schedule and feelings.

You may be worried, but sometimes the only course of action is no action. You must take care of yourself and your own emotions and sort them out before you can help the other person. This means getting your own house in order and perhaps developing a few tools that may come in handy. A support group is one way to start preparing. Caring, open minded people with some knowledge of compulsive gambling, such as a Gamblers Anonymous group can help you to cope with your own stress and feelings.

One thing that you can do for your loved one, if possible, is to find activities or interests that you and both have in common. Sometimes a diversion is a good way to stop gambling. Something as simple as meditating together, taking a walk and enjoying the outdoors, or watching a movie, can help in several ways. First of all, any time spent doing anything but gambling is helpful because it means there is less time to feed the addiction. Secondly, building a bond between you means that when he or she is ready to talk about the problem and deal with it, you will be there and accessible.

There are no shortcuts to successful treatment of the problem. It is a progressive illness and the only way to control it is to stop. But you are not the one to make the decision of when to stop or how to control the gambling addiction. That decision can only be made by the one with the problem. I don’t recommend bringing up the subject but if your loved one does, by all mean be open and listen to what he or she says about it. By listening and showing you are open to communication, you are letting him or her know that you are there when the time is right.

If the gambling problem is causing too much stress for you or is starting to take over your life, even though it is the other person’s addiction and not yours, you may want to seek counseling or start attending Gamblers Anonymous meetings. You don’t have to wait for the other person to make the first move if the problem is becoming your problem as well. Sometimes it is a family member, friend or loved one who attends the meeting before the gambler does. You will find support there and people who understand what you and the person you care about are going through. Taking care of yourself and preparing yourself is one of the most important things you can do and just as your loved one has to deal with the problem in his or her own way, you have to deal with it in your way and also take care of yourself so that it will not ruin your life.

Wil Langford, R. Hy. offers his guided meditations for gambling problems online and they may be listened to or downloaded at http://gamblingproblems.homestead.com for gambling problems relief. He may also be contacted by email there to answer questions free of charge.

With hundreds of hours of clinical work, Wil is an expert on finding the keys to change unwanted behavior. His guided meditations for relaxation and habit control have helped many people to find happiness and change their lives for the better.

He is an expert on human consciousness and the author of Parts Consciousness Therapy. Wil Langford, R. Hy., is a 54 yr. old. Clinical Hypnotherapist, Integrated Energy Therapist, and teacher. He is the author of, “Your Loved Ones, Your Self; finding and Raising the Family Within.”

 
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Teenage Gambling Addiction is a Real Problem

12 Oct

Teenage gambling is becoming more and more of a problem with each passing year. Teenagers can gamble on video games with their friends, gamble online, and engage in poker games with friends. This problem is deepening as more and more teenagers engage in gambling in one form or another.

Studies have shown that gambling in teenagers is on the rise and that it does not seem to be slowing down. The glamorizing of poker games by celebrities on television has had a negative impact on teenagers.

These teens believe that gambling is the road to easy money and huge sums of cash. They believe gambling to be an exciting dreamworld that they want to soon become part of.

Gambling addiction can occur very easily in these teens because of the adrenaline high that happens while engaging in a gambling activity. Studies have also shown that teens can become addicted very fast, and that it is much harder to break the gambling addiction habit when starting at such a young age.

The effects of a teen gambling problem are as follows:

1. Cutting school, and having unexplained absences.

2. Poor grades that become worse and worse

3. Money problems and stealing money from parents.

4. Constantly needing money for poorly explained reasons.

5. Preoccupation with gambling and social isolation, except with gambling friends.

6. Engaging in forms of illegal behavior.

7. Use of drugs and alcohol.

8. Unexplained mood changes.

9. Poor sleep habits and hygiene.

So what do parents do when they suspect that their teenager has a gambling problem or gambling addiction? Because every situation is different, there is no “one size fits all answer”. However, there are a few things that you can do.

1. Insist that your teenager visits a counselor or therapist. A specialist in gambling addiction will be your best bet. Your first session will be known as an intervention.

2. Make sure that your teenager has no access to cash or credit cards and keep your cash and credit cards locked up so your teen has no access to this.

3. You teen will most likely not admit that he or she has a gambling problem or gambling addiction. This does not matter at the beginning, however. You are the parent and you can decide the intervention.

4. Insist that your teenager attend a Gamblers Anonymous or other 12 Step Group. You can attend a Gamanon meeting which is usually next door to the Gamblers Anonymous Meeting.

Michelle Tee is a self-help coach and author on the subject of gambling addiction . If you are looking to stop gambling and have not had success in the past, visit her site today.

 
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