The best thing that you can do for yourself and your family is admit that you have a gambling addiction. If you have made the step and admitted that you have a problem, you have already fought a large battle. The next step is to seek help. There are several ways that you can get help but the one that will help the most is joining a support group.
There is a support group that is specifically designed to help with gambling addiction and that is Gamblers Anonymous. The group is made of a twelve-step recovery plan which is very similar to Alcoholics Anonymous. For many people, coping with their addiction is possible because they have chosen the best sponsor themselves. Their sponsor is a person who has been through the program and was once and compulsive gambler themselves. They understand the trails and how hard it is to give up gambling. They are available for to you call anytime day or night.
Another option for treatment is getting therapy. The type of therapy for gambling is called cognitive behavioral therapy. This therapy focuses on changing the habits that are associated with gambling like urges to gamble, the way you rationalize your behavior to allow yourself to gamble, and false beliefs about your gambling. The therapy will help you to fight the urge to gamble and teach you how to avoid getting into a situation where you could be tempted to gamble again. The focus of the therapy is to help you manage you life without gambling. It teaches you to continue living without the urge to gamble.
The last part of any recovery program is maintaining recovery for life. Many people find that quitting gambling or any addictive behavior is easier than never doing it against. It is important to surround yourself with people who support your decision to not gamble and say goodbye to anyone who tempts you to lose control.
