Gambling and addiction

Gambling is just one of many addictions. Alcoholism, drug addictions, workaholism, shopaholism, addiction to painkillers … these are just some of many. Basically, anything that is detrimental to your wellbeing on any level and that you keep repeating can be called an addiction.

People fall into the trap of thinking that gambling is going to give them a big win and then their life will change like magic. Unfortunately, this is not the case, and statistics have proven again and again that even if that big win does happen the winner will lose it all, often gambling it away. However, all is not lost. Natural help is at hand for the gambler via hypnotherapy, counselling, group support and NLP and many organisations can help you to plan your finances better.

In Australia, the Melbourne Cup is a day when even people who often don’t indulge in gambling seem to have a splurge. Add to that the weekly Lotto, Powerball and poker machines in clubs and, for people who love gambling, temptation is all around. Each year the statistics for addictions rise and individuals and families suffer.

While having a splurge and gambling once in a while can be fun, it is very easy for it to become a problem and lead to serious consequences by betting money you can’t afford to lose. Gambling causes huge issues in a family regardless of how wealthy they are; but there are ways to protect your financial future if a relative is gambling as well as ways to assist the gambler.

It is important that you take control of your family’s money to ensure it is not gambled away. You may need to be responsible for paying the bills and must organise a budget so you can stay on track. A big factor in this is to set up a personal bank account just in your name so you have some finances if your partner is gambling their wages away. Just set aside as much as you can each week and let it accumulate from there. A good amount is 10 per cent. Put it in the account as a direct debit before you even start to pay the bills. Your partner is not to ever have access to this account as this is your emergency money to protect your family financially.

Whether it be gambling, alcohol, shopping, working or any of the other addictions, hypnotherapy and NLP has helped many change those negative habits and create new positive foundations for their life.

Next, start to protect the assets. Make sure they are not in the gambling person’s name so they can’t sell them or mortgage them without your knowledge. If your partner won’t agree, this can be done through the court system. Also make sure that bank accounts and credit cards are all in your name and give your partner their share only for the week. It does sound a bit controlling but if the partner has no money to gamble it is one way of assisting them to overcome the issue. Make sure you change all the PINs and passwords on accounts and on the internet and don’t use ones that are easy to guess. This will help you look after the family finances and take temptation out of your partner’s way.

A financial counsellor will help you with advice on how to set up all of the above as well as help you to look at your options for paying debts that may have been accumulated in your partner’s name, which you also would be responsible to pay. That is why there needs to be management of the funds, so you don’t end up losing everything due to their illness.

Did you know though that NLP and hypnotherapy are useful in helping people to stop gambling? These are just two of the natural modalities that assist people to change their patterns. Whether it be gambling, alcohol, shopping, working or any of the other addictions, hypnotherapy and NLP has helped many change those negative habits and create new positive foundations for their life. Consult a natural therapist in these areas to find out more.

There are also many organisations that you can contact for support, such as The Salvation Army, Gamblers Anonymous or Relationships Australia to name just a few. So take heart because help is at hand if you or a loved one have a gambling issue. Just pick up the phone and make a few enquiries.