Navigating the Path to Recovery: Understanding and Overcoming Gambling Addiction Relapses
Geoffrey Carney Geoffrey Carney

Navigating the Path to Recovery: Understanding and Overcoming Gambling Addiction Relapses

Embark on the courageous journey to overcome gambling addiction with resilience and commitment. Recognize that relapses are part of the process, not failures. Discover why they happen, from triggers to lack of support, and turn them into learning opportunities. Learn how to get back on track through self-reflection, reinforcing your support system, and adjusting coping strategies. Celebrate small victories and understand that recovery is a courageous, ongoing effort. Embrace challenges, celebrate victories, and move forward one day at a time toward an addiction-free life. Seek professional help, practice self-compassion, and remember, relapses are transformative when approached with dedication to learning and self-discovery.

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Opening up about Gambling Addiction: The Importance of Honesty in Relationships
Geoffrey Carney Geoffrey Carney

Opening up about Gambling Addiction: The Importance of Honesty in Relationships

Discover the impact of honesty in relationships when facing the challenging topic of gambling addiction. In this heartfelt reflection on a failed relationship due to undisclosed gambling struggles, gain insights into the importance of transparency, building trust, and seeking support. Learn valuable tips on how to initiate this difficult conversation with your significant other, offering guidance on what to do and what to avoid. Join the journey of rebuilding and find hope for a healthier, happier future. Don't let the shadows of addiction define your relationships—embrace honesty and change one day at a time.

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Understanding the Role of Therapy in Overcoming Gambling Addiction: A Path to Recovery
Geoffrey Carney Geoffrey Carney

Understanding the Role of Therapy in Overcoming Gambling Addiction: A Path to Recovery

Explore the intricate world of gambling addiction and discover the transformative power of therapy in the recovery journey. Delve into the behavioral roots of compulsive gambling, and learn how therapy identifies underlying issues, modifies destructive behaviors, and provides essential support. Uncover the diverse types of therapy—individual, group, family, and online—that contribute to a brighter, addiction-free future. If you or someone you know is battling gambling addiction, take the first step towards healing with the guidance of therapists and professionals. Remember, recovery is possible, and with therapy, there is hope for a better, addiction-free tomorrow

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Changing Habits: A Key to Overcoming Gambling Addiction
Geoffrey Carney Geoffrey Carney

Changing Habits: A Key to Overcoming Gambling Addiction

Overcoming addiction requires a transformation of habits, and for those struggling with gambling addiction, this shift can be a powerful step towards recovery. In this blog, we explore the journey of changing daily routines, incorporating healthier choices, and the positive impact it can have on battling addiction. Discover how physical exercise, meditation, and practicing gratitude can play pivotal roles in regaining control of your life and finding happiness beyond the urge to gamble. Join us on this transformative journey towards a brighter, addiction-free future.

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Self exclusion FTW
Gene Carangal Gene Carangal

Self exclusion FTW

Discover the power of self-exclusion in managing gambling addiction. Learn about the legal aspects and varying durations of self-exclusion across different states, with insights into the lifetime ban in Illinois and the process of lifting it after 5 years. Explore the consequences of reversing self-exclusion and the importance of this critical step in curbing compulsive gambling habits. Uncover the nuances of self-exclusion apps and their effectiveness in blocking access to gambling sites. Delve into the legal implications of trespassing if found at a self-excluded casino. Gain insights into international efforts, such as Australia's BetStop, a nationwide self-exclusion application.

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Recovery from Gambling Addiction: Practical Steps for a Better Tomorrow
Geoffrey Carney Geoffrey Carney

Recovery from Gambling Addiction: Practical Steps for a Better Tomorrow

Are you struggling with gambling addiction? Join me, a fellow compulsive gambler, on a journey to recovery. In this blog, I share personal experiences and valuable insights gained from engaging with the gambling addiction community on Reddit. Discover practical steps to break free from the cycle, starting with the crucial first step of acknowledging the issue. Learn about the power of self-exclusion and the challenges it presents. Explore the world of support groups like Gamblers Anonymous and SMART recovery, each offering a unique approach to overcoming addiction. While I delve into my own experiences with these groups, I emphasize that what works for one may not work for all. Discover the importance of seeking therapy and explore specialized treatment centers across the country.

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Honesty is the Best Policy
Geoffrey Carney Geoffrey Carney

Honesty is the Best Policy

Embark on the transformative journey of recovery by embracing the power of honesty. Acknowledge the hidden struggles of gambling addiction and learn how honesty can be the cornerstone of rebuilding relationships and trust. Discover the importance of being truthful with yourself and loved ones, breaking free from the secrecy that shrouds this often silent battle. Explore practical steps to openness, from sharing your struggles with trusted individuals to fostering genuine connections on the road to recovery. Take the first step towards a brighter future—one day at a time. Life after gambling addiction can indeed get better, and it begins with the liberating force of honesty. Start your journey now

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Four stages of a gambling addiction
Geoffrey Carney Geoffrey Carney

Four stages of a gambling addiction

Explore the gripping journey through the four common phases of gambling addiction: the euphoric Winning Phase, the tumultuous Losing Phase, the desperate Desperation Phase, and the dark abyss of the Hopelessness Phase. Join us in understanding the psychological traps that lead to compulsive gambling and the toll it takes on mental health. Trigger Warning: Discussion of suicide. Learn about the alarming rates of suicidality among problem gamblers and discover resources for support and recovery. There is hope at the end of the tunnel, and help is just a call away. If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline. Remember, it gets better—one day at a time.

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guys and gals, we're just getting started
Geoffrey Carney Geoffrey Carney

guys and gals, we're just getting started

Discover the shocking reality behind the surge in gambling addiction since the overturning of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018. Delve into the underreported world of college-aged individuals, where 75% of those aged 20-30 are reported to struggle with gambling addiction. Explore the daily habits of American gamblers, with one in four engaging in daily gambling activities, as highlighted in a recent study. Astonishingly, a significant majority of problem gamblers wager more than half of their monthly income, leading to financial distress. This engaging narrative also delves into the psychological aspects of addiction, drawing parallels between the cravings of a gambler and a drug addict, both seeking to elevate dopamine levels through risky behavior. Gain a deeper understanding of the obsessive daily routines of problem sports gamblers, whose mornings, afternoons, and nights revolve around checking bets, hoping to recover losses and perpetuating a dangerous cycle. If you or someone you know identifies with these experiences, don't hesitate to seek help. Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER now to take the first step towards recovery. The story of legalized sports gambling's impact on lives is one that needs to be heard.

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Houston, we have a (gambling) problem
Geoffrey Carney Geoffrey Carney

Houston, we have a (gambling) problem

Discover the hidden truths of a gambling addiction as we explore the signs that often go unnoticed. Have you ever concealed your gambling habits from loved ones, only to find yourself trapped in a cycle of lies and broken promises? This eye-opening journey delves into the psyche of escape gamblers, those who seek refuge from pain through luck-based games like slot machines and lotteries. Learn how chasing losses can spiral into a financial abyss, fueled by the false hope of hitting a jackpot. From risky bets to the fear of losing control, explore the psychological aspects that drive compulsive gamblers. But here's the silver lining: recovery is possible. Prioritize your mental health, understand the root causes, and take the first step toward a life free from the shackles of gambling. Join the narrative of someone who lived through the highs and lows of gambling addiction, recognizing the issue only after choosing recovery. Learn about the transformative power of stepping away from destructive habits and seeking help. If you resonate with these struggles, reach out to 1-800-Gambler for the support you need. Remember, it gets better—one day at a time. Start your journey to a healthier, happier life today.

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My Story As a Compulsive Gambler
Geoffrey Carney Geoffrey Carney

My Story As a Compulsive Gambler

Follow my story of overcoming compulsive gambling, from the highs of chasing wins to the lows of insurmountable debt and depression. Join me on this path to recovery as I share insight, and advice. Learn how I aim to help others struggling with problem gambling through this blog. If you or someone you know is battling gambling addiction, find inspiration and practical guidance here.

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