One thing that all gamblers, sports bettors, and casino enthusiasts have in common is that, eventually, their habit will get them in trouble. It starts with small issues like missing games or being late to the betting shop, but before you know it, you’re spending half your paycheck on gambling debts. You might even be hitting the books to see what else you can get in trouble with.
The people around you might not even realize how bad your gambling problem is, but trust me, they can smell it on you. Your coworkers might even suspect that there’s something wrong with you because you’re constantly asking for help with gambling problems, and they know that you’re not like this normally. Your friends might avoid you because they think that you’ll never change. Or, at least, they won’t want to be around you when you’ve had one too many losses.
It’s not that you’re a bad person because you have a gambling problem. It’s just that there’s something wrong with you when you can’t control your impulses to bet. And, eventually, this will lead you to do things that are seriously bad for your health. People with OCD will often go to great lengths to avoid causing harm to themselves or others. However, sometimes this is difficult, and, as a result, they end up harming themselves unintentionally. Here are some of the ways in which OCD puts a strain on your health.
Mental Illness
Anyone who spends a lot of time thinking about odds and probabilities is bound to develop some sort of mental illness. If you’re constantly thinking about whether you’re going to win or lose money on a particular game or bet, you’re going to develop an obsession with finances and gambling. It’s all about satisfying your urges to gamble, but satisfying them in healthy ways. When you’re finally feeling good about yourself, you can say goodbye to this mental illness and hello to a healthier, happier you. It’s not easy being a gambler with OCD, but it’s definitely achievable.
Physical Illness
The stress and anxiety that come with having OCD is enough to make anyone physically sick. If you’re already worried about causing harm to yourself or others, you’re going to be doubly sick when an actual physical illness befalls you. When you feel that your body is falling apart, it can be hard to find the motivation to get up and do something about it. You might even blame yourself for having this disease. It takes a lot of motivation to get up and get your physical therapy every day, but it’s totally worth it. You’ll feel so much better once you’ve completed your treatment and can get back to living your life. Just be sure to follow all of your doctor’s instructions and do what you can to avoid getting sick again.
Harm To Self
One of the things that people with OCD struggle with is self-harm. If you’re worried about yourself, it’s easy to hurt yourself without even trying. You might cut yourself, burn yourself, or even push yourself too far in the opposite direction and take too much alcohol or drugs. Do whatever you can to avoid this, because there’s no easy way out once you’ve started. You might think that self-harm is a temporary solution to your problems, but it’ll cause you more issues in the long run. Harming yourself doesn’t solve any problems; it creates new ones. The same goes for gambling. You’re not going to make anyone else love you, and you’re certainly not going to solve your financial problems. You’re just creating new ones by continuing to hurt yourself with addictive gambling. If you think that you’re going to eventually harm yourself due to your gambling, it might be the right time for you to seek help. There are people who can help you.
Financial Illness
The worry about finances is very common among people with OCD. You’re always worried about whether you’re going to lose your job or have enough money to pay your bills. These worries can cause you to hold back on spending and even seek help with fundraising. You might want to set up a separate account to organize your money and keep track of what’s coming in and going out. All of this is normal and understandable, but it can still cause you unnecessary stress and anxiety. It’s not easy being a gambler with OCD, but it’s definitely achievable. Just take it day by day and don’t beat yourself up about it. You’re doing the best that you can.
Healthy Lifestyle
Being healthy is one of the primary goals that people with OCD strive for. There are many ways that you can be healthy even if you have OCD, including getting plenty of sleep, eating healthy foods, and exercising. You might also consider joining a support group with others who are also struggling with gambling addiction. Just make sure to work at it and don’t give up. Healthy living is something that you can achieve, and it feels so good when you accomplish it. And, as a result, it also makes you feel better. Believe it or not, living a healthy lifestyle can help you to combat your gambling addiction because you’re not constantly thinking about it. It’s easier for your mind to ignore something that you don’t bother thinking about. When you become aware of this, you can start to change your habits, and this in turn can help you to feel better. In order to do this, you’re going to have to be creative, because there are so many aspects of your life that come with OCD. What works for one person might not work for another, but, as a whole, using your head and experimenting often leads to success. This is where the intuition comes in. If you’re not sure what will work for you, just try something new and see what happens. You might end up having to take a step back, but at least you’ll be able to take a step forward. Don’t give up!