How to Keep From Getting Addicted to Gambling

Gambling is the activity or practice of risking something of value by betting on a random event, with the intent to win something else of value.

Whether you are gambling for fun or as a way to earn money, there are steps you can take to keep yourself from getting addicted to it. Here are a few of them:

Set a budget for yourself and stick to it.

Identifying the amount of money you can afford to spend on gambling will help you stay within your limits and make it more likely that you can quit when you are tempted.

Limit your time and make sure to leave when you reach your time limit, no matter how much you win or lose.

Avoid chasing lost money, as this can lead to bigger losses in the long run.

Balance your gambling with other activities that you enjoy doing.

Strengthen your support network by reaching out to friends, family and other people who have also been affected by your addiction.

Find a trusted treatment facility or organization that can help you overcome your problem gambling. These can include therapy sessions, counseling, family and marriage counseling, career and credit counseling and other services that will help you get back on track.

The effects of gambling are structuralized in a conceptual model that divides costs and benefits into three classes (financial, labor and health, and well-being). Costs manifest on the personal and interpersonal levels, while benefits are visible on the society/community level.