Gambling has been a past time of many people from all over the world, from Las Vegas, China and even to India. In fact, according to PBS.org, 87% of people who visit Las Vegas gambled. Of those 87%, 67% played the slot machines. In places such as India, gambling is a main source of income. PBS.org estimates that in 1997 alone over 27 billion dollars a year was made from gambling. That was ten years ago, those numbers only went up. For many people, a little recreation gambling is not acceptable, they become addicted and obsessed.
PBS.org estimates most recreation gamblers spend four hours in a casino, usually playing slots (68%) and spend $580.00. For addicts, these amounts double! Links to addiction can sometimes be traced back to a memory. It could be something as simple as being a child and hearing your parents talk about winning the lottery and never having to work again. You and your parents might have talked or dreamed about what you would do with all the money. As you get older you associate happiness and financial freedom with the lottery or gambling. Just the thought of winning the jackpot is enough to intrigue anyone, but for someone who suffers from addictive behaviors, this thought only adds fuel to the fire.
Marketing sends a powerful message to gamblers as well. When you walk into a casino or enter an online gambling website, you are greeted with bright colors, flashing lights and visually appealing games or machines. No one wants to walk by a diamond themed progressive slot, it's pretty and has sparkly icons, you simply must play! Every time you see these images, an emotion is triggered, maybe a happy one, an excited one or simply one of anticipation. These can be very powerful feelings and persuade you to play, it is like you can not stop yourself.
Obsession is something most gamblers are familiar with. You start playing the slot machine or online game, you usually start in small amounts. Maybe you win some money. Why not play the money since it is money you earned, not put in. Of course you lose your money, so you play a little extra to win back what you already spent. Next thing you know, you are gambling away your house payment, each time thinking to yourself, the next one I will win big. This obsession quickly takes over your mind and you life. Before you know it you have gambled away everything in your life you were trying to save, you marriage, house, savings account and the kids' college fund.
It is difficult to admit when you have lost control of something, especially something as large as your life! You have already taken the first step, if you are reading this, you know you are suffering from an addiction. There is help out there for you. Gamblers make excellent candidates for hypnosis because they are able to regularly fall into a trance. Hypnosis will help you identify why you gamble in the first place and pin point emotional attachments as well. The subconscious mind is very powerful and while in hypnosis, you are able to replace negative triggers such as bright displays. Instead of wanting to gamble, after hypnosis you will simply be able to walk by with no problems.
Imagine what your life could be like without gambling. You would have extra time for things such as housework or time with your family, your marriage would be improved, you will be saving money. Think about all that extra money, you could take a vacation (not to Las Vegas) or do home improvement projects or just save for a rainy day. Addiction with anything, whether it is drugs, alcohol, or gambling is a disease are difficult to overcome, but with help you are able to lead a normal happy life. These are very real addictions and you need real solutions.
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