Your Path Back to a Life Without Gambling

Gambling problem and gambling addiction are two different things. A gambling problem involves difficulty controlling one's gambling, which often leads to various consequences that negatively affect our lives. Gambling addiction, sometimes called pathological gambling syndrome, on the other hand, is a diagnosis made after assessment by a psychologist or doctor.

A gambling problem involves difficulties controlling one's gambling, which often leads to various consequences that negatively affect our lives. For example:

• Health consequences: anxiety, depression, sleep problems, suicidal thoughts. It can also involve problems with alcohol or other drugs.
• Social consequences: conflicts with loved ones and friends, problems with work or school. In the worst case, committing crimes to continue gambling.
• Financial consequences: difficulty paying ongoing expenses or indebtedness due to gambling.

Gambling addiction, sometimes called pathological gambling syndrome, on the other hand, is a diagnosis made after assessment by a psychologist or doctor, where at least four of the criteria described below are met:

• You constantly think about gambling.
• The thrill diminishes and you need to gamble with larger sums to achieve the desired effect.
• You have difficulty limiting, controlling, or stopping gambling altogether.
• You become restless and irritated when trying to control or limit your gambling.
• You start using gambling to avoid the self-consequences of the game, such as depression, helplessness, guilt, anxiety, and depression.
• You try to win back the money you have lost.
• You minimize or lie about your gambling to family and friends, or even therapists.
• You have lost important personal relationships, jobs, educational opportunities, or potential careers due to your gambling.

As a gambling addict, you develop a range of character traits over time. It becomes increasingly difficult to set boundaries for how much time and money you should spend on gambling. This leads to problems with finances, work, health, and relationships.

The most common sign that you have a problem with your gambling is that you continue to gamble despite the negative consequences that arise. Another clear sign is that you spend more money and time than you initially intended.

When a gambling problem escalates into gambling addiction, it's due to a variety of factors being activated simultaneously. Often, it depends on who you are as a person, your predispositions, and your background. But also, it's influenced by what you encounter in your environment, the milieu you live in.

Today, there are more online casinos and Vegas machines than ever before. The amount of gambling advertising increases daily, and the accessibility of various games has never been higher. It's easy to feel surrounded, almost compelled to gamble. Additionally, all these "fast" games are much more dangerous than slower ones, such as monthly lotteries or scratch cards.

Often, it's different personal traits that influence why you gamble and how you gamble. For example, perhaps you gamble to try to dampen negative or unpleasant emotions, or to seek thrills. Or you gamble to win back what you have lost. The brain adapts extremely quickly. And the reward system is heavily influenced by gambling.

Furthermore, the brain adapts extremely quickly. And the reward system is heavily influenced by gambling. Notice the advertising and the appearance of all the games, how the colors and sounds are designed to trigger you to gamble. Being aware of the industry's tactics can help you feel less alone in your problems.

It's difficult to change a situation, especially when you feel like your own worst enemy. But it's possible! The first thing that usually happens when you have problems with your gambling is that you struggle to get a good overview of your finances. Mapping out the consequences of your gambling, creating budgets, and regaining control becomes more and more challenging.

The first step is to go back to basics. Take courage and try to make as honest and clear an assessment as possible of where your money is going and where it's coming from. Find out exactly how much money you're spending on your gambling. Create budgets for each month, track income, expenses, and how much money you spend day by day.

Feel free to seek help from someone you trust, a friend or family member. If the situation is really serious, it might be a good idea to let your friend take responsibility for your finances for the near future.

When you find it difficult to control your gambling, it's a good idea to completely distance yourself from anything related to gambling. Both online and offline. Avoid socializing with people who trigger your gambling. Avoid or block websites. Instead of watching regular TV, where gambling advertisements are rampant, consider using various ad-free streaming apps. Instead of traditional radio channels with a lot of gambling advertisements, you can listen to audiobooks, podcasts, or streaming-based music services.

A strong recommendation from us at Spelfriheten is to block your gambling on spelpaus.se – which covers all digital and physical gaming operators authorized to operate in Sweden.

Another recommendation is gamban.com – a blocking filter that prevents you from accessing gambling-related websites and downloading various gaming apps. This also works for gaming operators without a Swedish gaming license.

Consider all the time you spend gambling today. All that time will be available to you when you stop gambling. It's good to prepare for this. Make plans for what you will do with your time instead. Try to stay active and busy, so you don't spend too much time thinking about gambling.

What did you enjoy doing before gambling took over your life? Was there something enjoyable? Exercise? Art? Spending time with friends and acquaintances? Start with daily walks. Getting your body moving is essential to keep your mind from dwelling on gambling thoughts.

Attend self-help meetings regularly and often. There, you'll get inspiration, tips, and hope from other players who have made significant progress in their own gambling freedom.