Facing up to our demons can be distressing and difficult to deal with, but we are all human and we all have flaws, faults and weaknesses. For many people, slot-gambling can be a big problem and instead of a fun, exciting past time, it can become an addiction. There can be light at the end of the tunnel however, with the right help and support. 

One of the many examples of recovered ex-gamblers is Rick, who had always enjoyed gambling both in casinos occasionally as well as every so often online. Gambling became a problem for Rick when his wife passed just a few months into their retirement, meaning not only did Rick have extra time on his hands as he was no longer working five days a week, but his grief was something Rick found hard to escape. 

It didn’t take long for Rick to start to spend more and more time gambling online, on slots mainly but also on games like poker and blackjack which he used to enjoy. It hit a low point when Rick did not spend any time with his family and instead preferred to isolate himself and gamble until he had not only spent his savings but was also getting himself into debt through his gambling problem. You can hop on to Top Slot Games to check out the sites that are legal.

It’s so easy to get into this situation, and here is what you can do to stop gambling becoming an addiction before it takes its toll.

Stick to your budget

First off, before you gamble, it’s a good idea to set yourself a budget that you feel comfortable spending. You should either put this amount in another account which is dedicated as disposable income and is separated from your money for things like your mortgage/rent, bills and groceries/necessities and make sure you only use this separate account – or – withdraw an amount of cash to spend in the casino and do not use your cards. As well as setting yourself a budget, it’s important to stick to this budget religiously. 

Don’t shut out your family and friends

Your family and friends care about you, love you and have your best interests at heart, so if you feel like you are starting to shut those closest to you out so you can gamble without their knowledge, this could be a sign that you are developing a gambling problem. Don’t shut people out, don’t be afraid to confide your feelings in someone you trust and take loved one’s advice. A problem shared can be a problem halved. Luckily for Rick, his family kept pressing him to see them and eventually interveined when he confided in a family friend about his gambling problem.

Don’t gamble when you’re down

It might seem like a good idea to gamble when you’re feeling low as a way to cheer yourself up, but this usually leads to feeling more depressed when you lose, rather than taking it on the chin. Rick mainly played when he was feeling depressed and alone and every time Rick lost he would spiral deeper into depression, putting himself in financial difficulty. Only gamble when you’re in a good headspace and if you’re feeling depressed, reach out and talk to someone you trust.