Recovery – A Staged Approach

Recovery – A Staged Approach

Although gambling would be argued by many that it is not a sickness and that it's only entertainment (which in many cases - that is true). Compulsive gambling though, may be considered as a sickness, which may require counselling, therapy and a support system to overcome.

But there is a way in recovery, which with some self-discipline and all of the above help, can be kept in check. It comes in four different stages:

STAGE ONE is to know the reasons for gambling

STAGE TWO is to recognise when it becomes compulsive

STAGE THREE is to find reasons to stop gambling

STAGE FOUR is to follow some steps to recovery

1. REASON TO GAMBLE - WINNING MONEY
WHAT MAKES THIS COMPULSIVE - TRYING TO WIN MONEY ALREADY LOST
REASON TO STOP GAMBLING - TO REGAIN FINANCIAL CONTROL
STEPS TO RECOVERY - HANDLING MONEY AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE

2. REASON TO GAMBLE - PEER INFLUENCE
WHAT MAKES THIS COMPULSIVE - BEING CARELESS TOWARDS LOVED ONES
REASON TO STOP GAMBLING - BEING ABLE TO ENJOY COMPANY OF OTHERS
STEPS TO RECOVERY - ASSOCIATE WITH PEOPLE THAT DO NOT GAMBLE

3. REASON TO GAMBLE - BOREDOM
WHAT MAKES THIS COMPULSIVE - BEING CARELESS OVER YOURSELF
REASON TO STOP GAMBLING - BEING IN CONTROL OVER ONE SELF
STEPS TO RECOVERY - CHANGE HABITS AND BEHAVIOURS

4. REASON TO GAMBLE - EXCITMENT
WHAT MAKES THIS COMPULSIVE - PLANNING A DAY AHEAD FOR GAMBLING
REASON TO STOP GAMBLING - START ENJOYING SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE
STEPS TO RECOVERY - CHANEL EXCESS ENERGY ELSEWHERE

5. REASON TO GAMBLE - FUN-ENTERTAINMENT
WHAT MAKES THIS COMPULSIVE - GAMBLING FOR LONGER THAN PLANNED
REASONS TO STOP GAMBLING - BEING AWARE OF LIFE AROUND YOU
STEPS TO RECOVERY - GET INVOLVED IN ACTIVITIES WITH OTHER PEOPLE

6. REASON TO GAMBLE - EMOTIONAL ESCAPE
WHAT MAKES THIS COMPULSIVE - LOOSING TIME OF WORK AND FAMILY
REASON TO STOP GAMBLING - START WORKING ON INNER HAPINESS
STEPS TO RECOVERY - SEEK COUNSELLING FOR PERSONAL PROBLEMS

7. REASON TO GAMBLE - BEING IN ACTION
WHAT MAKES THIS COMPULSIVE - GAMBLING UNTIL LAST DOLLAR IS GONE
REASON TO STOP GAMBLING - TO STOP CONSIDERATION OF SELF-HARM
STEPS TO RECOVERY - BUILD A SUPPORT NETWORK AROUND YOU

8. REASON TO GAMBLE - FANTASY
WHAT MAKES THIS COMPULSIVE - BORROWING MONEY FROM OTHERS
REASON TO STOP GAMBLING - NOT GETTING DEEPER INTO DEBT
STEPS TO RECOVERY - SEEK FINANCIAL COUNSELLING

9. REASON TO GAMBLE - LOVE OF THE GAME
WHAT MAKES THIS COMPULSIVE - SELLING PERSONAL ITEMS FOR GAMBLING
REASON TO STOP GAMBLING - TO START COMMUNICATING WITH FAMILY AGAIN
STEPS TO RECOVERY - KEEP A DIARY OF ALL EXPENDITURE

10. REASON TO GAMBLE - ANGER
WHAT MAKES THIS COMPULSIVE - STEALING TO FINANCE GAMBLING
REASON TO STOP GAMBLING - TO REGAIN SELF-ESTEEM AGAIN
STEPS TO RECOVERY - DETERMINE THE TRIGGERS AND WORK ON THEM

11. REASON TO GAMBLE - CHARITABLE DONATIONS
WHAT MAKES THIS COMPULSIVE - FEELING REMORSE AFTER GAMBLING
REASON TO STOP GAMBLING - RETURN TO CONFIDENCE AND POSITIVENESS
STEPS TO RECOVERY - REDUCE YOUR FINANCIAL NEEDS

12. REASON TO GAMBLE - BEATING THE ODDS
WHAT MAKES THIS COMPULSIVE - LOSING SLEEP BECAUSE OF GAMBLING
REASON TO STOP GAMBLING - RETURN TO MORE RESTFUL SLEEP AGAIN
STEPS TO REVOVERY - LEARN MORE ABOUT PROBLEM GAMBLING

13. REASON TO GAMBLE - MEETING WITH FRIENDS
WHAT MAKES THIS COMPULSIVE - LYING AFTER GAMBLING
REASON TO STOP GAMBLING - NO NEED TO LIE ANYMORE
STEPS TO RECOVERY - PLAN AND SCHEDULE YOUR DAYS AHEAD

14. REASON TO GAMBLE - ADVENTURE
WHAT MAKES THIS COMPULSIVE - NON-STOP CHASING MONEY
REASON TO STOP GAMBLING - REGAIN RESPECT OF OTHERS
STEPS TO RECOVERY - SAVE GAMBLING MONEY AND REWARD YOURSELF

15. REASON TO GAMBLE - EXPECTATIONS
WHAT MAKES THIS COMPULSIVE - SEEING LOSSES AS NEAR MISSES
REASON TO STOP GAMBLING - BEING ABLE TO HELP OTHERS
STEPS TO RECOVERY - DEVELOP REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

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Disclaimer - The opinions expressed in this website are not necessarily those held by the Gambling Impact Society (NSW) Inc. No responsibility will be accepted for anything that may occur as a result of anyone relying on the information and opinions contained in the website.

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