The Connection Between Problem Gambling and Stress

Do you or someone you know have a gambling problem? Recent studies have shown that it may be caused by one or more of the following; alcoholism, bipolar disorder, major depression, drugs that may be prescribed to treat Parkinson's disease, or even stress. Gambling is often used as a stress reliever and diversion, but for people with certain risk factors, it can lead to a problem and even pathological or compulsive gambling.

Clinicians who treat gambling problems usually agree that the best way to treat the problem is by immediate cessation, support groups, and controlling other contributing factors such as those mentioned above. Following that line of thought, for people who gamble to relieve stress, using a relaxation strategy may help to control the problem. But what exactly is a relaxation strategy and how can you use it effectively?

A relaxation strategy is a tailored plan to relieve stress in your life by

1. recognizing stressors (when possible)

2. eliminating stressors (when possible)

3. using physical exercise and other stress relieving methods like hypnosis, meditation, or diversions such as hobbies.

Guided meditations are one of the ways that a person can relax and relieve stress. One of the nice things about guided meditations is that they may be downloaded off the internet and also they may be tailored with suggestions that also help to control problem gambling as well as relaxing the person who is meditating and thereby relieving stress. The two pronged approach of relieving stress and also using hypnotic suggestions to control gambling can be very effective.

The reason they are so effective is that when you are deeply relaxed your subconscious mind is more accessible and open to suggestions. Your subconscious mind is where your emotions and behavior originate. You are driven by your emotions and stored or learned behavior. Gambling to relieve stress is a learned behavior. No one is born knowing that gambling will relieve the stress he or she experiences, but over time, problem gamblers learn to use gambling to control the stress in life. Unfortunately, for some people, the learned behavior spirals out of control.

So replacing gambling with a good guided meditation can help to relieve the desire to gamble. Guided meditations come in many varieties and styles.

For more information about controlling gambling problems with guided meditations, go to http://gamblingproblems.homestead.com

Wil Langford, R. Hy., is a 54 yr. old. Clinical Hypnotherapist, Integrated Energy Therapist, and teacher. He is the author of, "Your Loved Ones, Your Self; finding and Raising the Family Within."

With hundreds of hours of clinical work, Wil is an expert on finding the keys to change unwanted behavior. His guided meditations for relaxation and habit control have helped many people to find happiness and change their lives for the better.

He is an expert on human consciousness and the author of Parts Consciousness Therapy. Will offers his guided meditations for gambling problems online and they may be listened to or downloaded at http://gamblingproblems.homestead.com for gambling problems relief. He may also be contacted by email there to answer questions free of charge.