Just take a gamble - you might win big! The lure of easy money is powerful. What if you could spend a single dollar and win millions in the lottery? You start out buying one ticket, then another and another - but you never win anything substantial. You may end up with a gambling addiction.

You might win twenty dollars and use it to buy more tickets. As soon as the gambling urge takes hold. it is not a far cry from buying a lotto ticket to heading toward a casino for some real action.

There are so many internet gambling sites, it is simple for anyone, even children to gamble. Teenage gambling is growing. The sites say you have to be over 18 or 21, but who's checking the IDs?

Teens are three times more likely to get addicted to gambling than adults. Some rack up thousands of dollars in gambling debt before they're even old enough to get a driver's license!

Gambling is a hidden addiction because it's more likely to be done in secret than on a night out to a casino with friends. When the addiction gets larger, gambling can take over many aspects of your life.

Up to 4% of Americans have a gambling addiction. If the thrill of the hunt is the hook for you, and risking cash to win big is the lure, you're an action gambler. But if you're more likely to gamble when you're upset or in some type of life crisis, then you're an escapist gambler. Men usually gamble for the 'action' and women usually gamble as an escape.

If you realize that you're driven to gamble and it's taking over your life, then you need to get help. You can't beat this on your own. Gambling is an addiction as powerful as drugs or food. Here are some tips to help you break the addiction to gambling:

1. Tell you significant other, or someoneclose to you. Ask for their support as you confront your problem.

2. Reduce your access to money. Get rid of access to easy credit, throw out your credit and debit cards. Carry only small amounts of cash in your wallet.

3. Change your path. Stay away from places that are triggers to gamble.

4. Stay away from people who encourage you to gamble. If necessary, change your cell phone number or email address so that they can't contact you.

Contact the nearest Gambler's Anonymous group. Your family can attend this group with you so they know what is coming. And find an experienced counselor who can work one-on-one with you.


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Pick up your Free 101 page Addiction Recovery Help Guide just for visiting our site. Bill Urell MA.CAAP-II, is an author and an addictions therapist at a leading treatment center. He holistic, healthy recovery and life skills. Visit our growing community at: http://www.AddictionRecoveryBasics.com.