Block casino websites

How to Stop Online Gambling? 12 Tips

1. Block Gambling Sites with BlockSite

Utilize BlockSite, a powerful tool that helps you block access to online sites and apps. By creating a digital barrier, it eliminates the temptation and accessibility of gambling platforms, supporting your recovery journey and helping you maintain focus on healthier activities.

Personalized Digital Barrier

• Create a custom list of gambling sites and apps to block.

• Tailor your digital environment to exclude tempting gambling platforms.

Easy Management of Block Lists

• Intuitive interface for adding or removing sites from your block list.

• Flexibility to update your list as your recovery needs evolve.

Elimination of Temptation and Accessibility

• Prevents direct access to online gambling sites and apps.

• Reduces the risk of impulsive gambling by removing triggers.

By leveraging these features, BlockSite becomes a powerful tool in your arsenal against online gambling addiction, providing a structured and supportive approach to overcoming this challenge.

Download our Android, iOS app or Chrome Extension today for free. 

2. Understand Your Problem

Deeply analyze the underlying reasons for your gambling habit. Is it a search for excitement, an escape from stress, or a coping mechanism for deeper emotional issues? Understanding the root causes of your gambling behavior is crucial for developing effective strategies to overcome it. This self-awareness is the foundation of your recovery process.

3. Get Professional Help

Engage with therapists or counselors specializing in gambling addiction. These professionals provide tailored strategies and support systems, crucial for overcoming the complex challenges of gambling addiction. They can offer insights and techniques that you might not have considered, helping you to understand and combat your addiction more effectively.

4. Find Alternatives to Gambling

Replace gambling with healthier activities like sports, hobbies, or socializing. These activities provide positive engagement and reduce the time and mental space available for gambling. They can fulfill the need for excitement or relaxation that gambling used to provide, but in a healthy and productive way.

5. Set Goals

Establish specific, measurable, and achievable goals for reducing or stopping gambling. Having clear objectives provides a sense of direction and a framework for tracking progress. Celebrate each small victory along the way, as this will help maintain your motivation and commitment to change.

6. Financial Management

Take control of your finances by restructuring responsibilities and limiting access to funds. Consider budgeting tools or financial counseling to manage finances effectively, reducing the temptation to gamble. This might involve setting up automatic payments for bills, cutting up credit cards, or having a trusted family member manage your finances temporarily.

7. Mindfulness and Meditation

Incorporate mindfulness practices to manage urges and maintain mental balance. Regular meditation can enhance self-awareness and provide a calming effect, reducing the impulse to gamble. These practices help you stay grounded in the present moment, making it easier to resist cravings and impulsive behaviors.

8. Educate Yourself

Increase your knowledge about the negative impacts of gambling addiction. Reading books, articles, and engaging in educational programs can empower you with information and strategies for recovery. Understanding the consequences of gambling addiction on a personal, financial, and psychological level can reinforce your commitment to recovery.

9. Strengthen Your Support Network

Build a robust network of supportive friends and family. Having people who understand your struggles and can offer encouragement is invaluable in the journey to recovery. Consider joining support groups where you can share experiences and learn from others who are facing similar challenges.

Avoid Triggers

Identify and consciously steer clear of environments, situations, or emotional states that trigger your gambling urges. Awareness of these triggers is crucial for preventing relapses. This might mean avoiding certain social situations, practicing stress-reduction techniques, or finding new ways to cope with emotions that previously led you to gamble.

Seek Help from Organizations

For comprehensive support on gambling-related issues, numerous organizations offer various forms of assistance. Whether you need support, advice, or someone to talk to about your gambling habits, these services can be invaluable:

• GAMSTOP: This service allows you to self-exclude from all online gambling operators licensed in the UK simultaneously. It's a significant step for those seeking to cut ties with online gambling platforms.

• GamCare: For face-to-face, online, or telephone counseling and support, GamCare is a go-to resource. They offer a confidential helpline for immediate assistance and guidance.

• Gambling Therapy: Operated by the charity group “Gordon Moody”, they provide different treatments and support globally. Their services are tailored to meet the diverse needs of individuals struggling with gambling addiction.

• Gamban: This tool enables you to block access to thousands of different gambling sites across all your devices. You can download it for free at Gamban or speak to an advisor for more personalized support.

• BeGambleAware: Offering help and support via phone, online, and forums, BeGambleAware is a comprehensive resource for those seeking assistance with gambling issues.

Celebrate Milestones

Recognize and celebrate each step forward in your recovery, no matter how small. Acknowledging progress reinforces positive behavior and motivates continued efforts towards overcoming gambling addiction. Set milestones and reward yourself for reaching them, whether it's a week without gambling or successfully managing a trigger.