Stop Gambling Cold Turkey
Gambling addiction is a complex mental condition in which a number of factors are at work in motivating the behavior. It is not a simple matter of just making your mind up to stop gambling, although for a few people, like some people can make up their mind up to stop smoking “cold turkey” and succeed, most don’t.
Quitting cold turkey simply means to stop using drugs abruptly and without help. Most cold turkey methods are attempted at home without outside intervention or medical assistance. Quitting cold turkey should not be confused with the addiction treatment known as detoxification. But, don’t be fooled. You can become hooked on this drug and experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop using it. Quitting Cold Turkey – What You Should Know About Withdrawal. In the simplest of terms, YES – you can quit smoking weed cold turkey. I quit cold turkey after scaring myself during one horrifying night of out control gambling. It shocked me & I was physically ill over it. So I quit cold turkey & when my next paycheque arrive I made sure I prepaid all my bills right away (I mean even bills that were a month away), so I wouldn't be tempted to spend it in a weak moment online.
I am a complete mess and don't know where to turn. Several years ago my sister went through a horrific gambling addiction that caused her loss of her four kids and sent her to an attempt at suicide. My other family members and I couldn't understand this addiction and why it put her in the state she was in. We didn't know why she couldn't just QUIT! I was extremely judgmental and criticized the fact that she lost her kids over the whole ordeal. Since then, I had an aunt and my grandmother go through the same thing - costing them hundreds of thousands of dollars - not understanding the addiction. Now that a job has placed me in a state where I am surrounded by casinos and slot machines in places like grocery stores, convenience stores, etc. I have found myself in the same boat. I have gone to escape the stress of the new job, the move across the country, the loneliness (due to leaving all my friends/family), etc. I have hobbies and a great husband. I don't know why I can't quit. I have friends to talk to and an understanding husband. I haven't gotten to the point of taking bill money, but I have cashed in an IRA account, drained half of my savings and charged $6,000 to my credit card (which is not normal for me because I am typically a debt free kind of person). I have talked to my sister who is very understanding and has encouraged me to go to GA now! She says this is a disease that can't be cured without help. I am too embarrassed and tell myself I don't have the time. I have a great job with a high income and feel like I would be made fun of for going. Does anyone know of any type of self help or ways I can stop the urge without GA or does this go away? I was doing good for a couple of weeks and was paying down on my credit card, then I had a bad day at work and slipped - took a two hour lunch to go to the casino. I have never lied to my husband and the point that made me realize how bad it was is when he said he thought I would steal from him. I cried for two days as I have never been a thief. I need help and advice!Gambling has become more and more prominent in our society andaccess to gambling is very present, especially in Oregon. I have agreat deal of experience treating problem gamblers and theirfamilies. I have included here a short article that I wrote aboutproblem gambling and recovery.
Nobody wakes up one day and decides to become a gamblingaddict. Gambling usually begins as a recreational activity - it's away to spend time with friends while enjoying the game and theexcitement of the chance to win a few bucks. Recreational gamblersgenerally stick to a time and money budget. When they reach theirlimit, they stop and move on to the next activity.
Not so for the pathological gambler. Gambling addicts are notreally all that interested in winning or losing. Their main goal is tostay in action as long as possible. That action increases the levelsof certain chemicals in their brain, primarily dopamine andadrenaline, and those chemicals cause the gambler to feel happy andexcited. These are the same brain chemicals that are activated bycocaine use. Using modern imaging tools, we see that brain scans ofgamblers in action look practically identical to brains that are highon cocaine. Winning is good because it provides money to extend thegambling action. Money represents nothing more than the fuel to keepthe gambling going and the action keeps whatever painful thoughts andfeelings that the gambler is seeking to escape, at bay.
How To Stop Gambling Cold Turkey
There are usually several distinct phases of gambling addiction:the winning phase, the losing phase and the desperation phase. As thedisease progresses from winning into losing and desperation, gamblersoften turn to criminal activity to fund their addiction. They will lieand steal from those close to them - family, friends, husbands, wives,parents and children. Some gamblers ultimately turn to suicide. Infact, gamblers attempt suicide at a rate that far exceeds that ofalmost any other clinical population. Forty-eight percent of gamblersin treatment in Oregon have had suicidal thoughts and nine percenthave made suicide attempts.
All of this occurs despite the fact that gamblers are generallybright, creative people. Many gamblers are educated and professionallyaccomplished. In this sense, gamblers' behavior is said to beego-dystonic, which means that it is incongruent with their truenature. Behaving in ways that run so counter to who they really are,gamblers generate a great deal of internal distress as they violatetheir own personal values time and time again. As they progress in theillness, they become more and more disconnected from loved ones, theirprofessional lives and themselves. Their dishonesty is not only towardothers, but also toward themselves.
Can U Stop Gambling Cold Turkey
Many people believe that if a gambler is losing excessive amountsof time and money gambling, they should just stop. The fact is,gambling addicts cannot 'just stop' any more than an alcoholic or drugaddict can stop using their drug of choice. Gambling addiction causeschanges in the gambler's brain in ways that require treatment andrecovery to arrest the addiction.
Can You Stop Gambling Cold Turkey
When gambling stops (usually when there's no more money), thegambler crashes - financially, physically, mentally, emotionally andspiritually. This crash is a combination of the gambler's realizationof the money and time lost, and the decrease in dopamine levels in thebrain that can lead to desperate thoughts and behavior. This is alsowhen gamblers may realize that they need professional help.
Recovery from gambling addiction begins with the gambler making anhonest assessment of his or her situation and deciding that they wantto stop gambling. The gambler must initiate abstinence and putbarriers in place to prevent access to money. Family members andfriends may be enlisted to help the gambler manage finances and theymust understand that the gambler is incapable of handling moneyresponsibly at this time.
Once the gambler has some time away from gambling and their systembegins to regain equilibrium, the confusion and mental fog created by gamblingwill begin to ease. Therapy can then address the issues that led themto gambling in the first place. For many, gambling is not their firstaddiction. Often gamblers have had previous problems with alcoholand/or other drugs, or compulsive shopping, spending, sex oreating. It is important to note that until the core issues areaddressed and resolved, individuals disposed to addiction will simplytrade one addiction for another. It is an attempt to mask the pain intheir lives. True recovery is achieved by doing the hard work tounderstand and make peace with life's difficulties.
Recovery from gambling addiction is a marathon, not a sprint. Itrequires effort, diligence and lifestyle changes that keep one healthyand safe from the cravings to gamble that will most surelyarise. Exercise, sleeping well, eating a healthy diet and maintainingnurturing relationships are all important parts of healthyrecovery.
The ready availability of gambling has made it possible forgambling addiction to run rampant. In Oregon, gambling is as close asthe corner deli. Gambling addiction destroys lives and familieswithout bias - it affects men and women, young and old, rich andpoor. Like all addictions, it is a disease. But there is hope. Whenaddicts and families seek and engage professional help, true recoveryis possible.
© 2011 John Benassu, MA, LPC All Rights Reserved.