Gambling takes many forms, from horse racing to high-stakes poker. Many are lured into the world of gambling, attracted by the excitement of placing bets and the thrill of risk versus potential reward.
However, this fun pastime can quickly become an all-consuming addiction with far-reaching consequences. Whether you call it compulsive gambling, a disorder, or an addiction, this condition affects millions.
A gambling addiction doesn’t just mean losing money; you develop a constant urge to keep placing bets despite the devastating results. Often, this leads to personal, professional and financial difficulties that worsen over time.
If you’re looking for professional help for a gambling addiction, I can help. I’m Dr Kamal of London Hypnotherapy and NLP, and I can help you beat your gambling addiction using the power of hypnosis.
This blog explores the various ways hypnotherapy can help people put a stop to gambling.
Different Types of Gambling Problems
Gambling isn’t restricted to one specific behaviour. The definition of addiction has evolved and so have the associated behaviours, which are classified as compulsive, problem gambling, and pathological.
Those suffering from compulsive gambling disorder are unable to resist the urge to gamble even in the face of negative effects, while problem gambling is a term for a range of gambling behaviours causing harm to themselves and others. The medical nature of pathological gambling suggests that it’s more of a psychological health issue than a loss of control or bad habit.
Although many may experience problems with gambling, not everyone is classified as an addict.
What Triggers This Destructive Behaviour?
The answer lies in the brain. Irrespective of the type of gambling behaviour, gambling addicts have lower dopamine levels. Dopamine, otherwise known as the feel-good hormone, works as a part of the brain’s reward-motivation system. In gambling, the anticipation of the reward itself increases the level of dopamine in the brain, and the prospect of a big win could give someone a temporary dopamine high.
This factor gives gambling the potential to become an addiction, and its associated problems aren’t due to a mere lack of willpower and self-control.
What Are The Associated Challenges?
Individuals with addictive gambling behaviours may be consumed with thinking about their next wager, trying to overcome losses with risky bets, and lying or hiding their risky activities. They’re likely to be irritable when asked to cut down on gambling and experience intense mood swings.
Gambling can have irreversible consequences on personal and professional relationships, affecting work performance and social connections as financial troubles mount.
The Power of Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis relaxes your mind and body, putting it into a state of high focus and attention. In this state, your subconscious mind becomes more receptive to change. Trained professionals use clinical hypnotherapy as a therapeutic tool to address and manage pressing mental health problems.
As an experienced hypnotherapist, I will help to address the withdrawal symptoms and setbacks you encounter when you try to stop gambling. Seek help for gambling addiction through in-person sessions at my Harley Street clinic, in London.
Using Hypnotherapy to Stop Gambling
Gambling is more than just a bad habit; it’s a compulsive behaviour that can consume every aspect of your life. It’s a destructive and complex addiction that can be hard to break.
In my gambling addiction hypnotherapy sessions, I use the power of hypnosis to target the underlying thoughts, emotions and behaviours that drive your urge to gamble.
Here’s how I help you overcome gambling addiction:
Breaking the Cycle of Addiction
Addictive gambling behaviour follows a vicious cycle, beginning with the urge to gamble, the act of placing bets, the rollercoaster of emotions, and the eventual regret or continued push to gamble more to recoup losses.
If you seek my professional help for your gambling addiction, I will address the root cause of this compulsive behaviour, helping you to manage the stress, boredom and emotional triggers that push you to gamble.
Modify Negative Thoughts and Patterns
Gambling urges stem from being overly optimistic about winning and the need to cover up losses by betting higher.
I will use positive suggestions to address and tweak these thought patterns in your subconscious and change the way you perceive gambling.
Strengthen Willpower and Self-Control
Similar to other addictions, resisting urges is one of the biggest challenges for people with addictive gambling behaviour.
My specialised gambling addiction therapy techniques help you build willpower and self-control to confidently say no to gambling opportunities in life.
Reduce Gambling Urges
Even in high-pressure gambling situations, it can be difficult to overpower the overwhelming desire, even when you know the outcome can be harmful.
When you seek my professional help for gambling addiction, we will address the emotional triggers linked to this behaviour to help reduce these urges.
Address Underlying Emotional Issues
Gambling can be used as a coping mechanism by many to overcome deeper emotional issues.
During our hypnotherapy sessions, I will explore the underlying cause of your gambling addiction and help you let go of pain, anxiety and stress.
Contact LHNLP for Professional Help for A Gambling Addiction
I’m Dr Kamal, Clinical Hypnotherapist and NLP Practitioner, working from my Harley Street clinic in central London. Providing compassionate therapy in a private space, I aim to help individuals overcome personal challenges and addictive behaviours.
My 25 years of experience in clinical hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, counselling, NLP, and psychology have helped countless individuals working in high-pressure environments overcome negative, addictive behaviours with lasting effects.
During our sessions, I will utilise various gambling addiction therapy techniques, including suggestion therapy, guided imagery, regression therapy and anchoring. I create bespoke and comprehensive plans to help overcome gambling addiction.
If you’re ready to give up gambling for good, contact me via phone or email to book a consultation in my clinic or online. I can provide you with the necessary tools to free you from the grips of gambling addiction.