Gambling is everywhere. Whether you are betting on a game, playing online gambling, watching the World Series of Poker on TV or spending the weekend in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, where there is gambling, there is addiction. According to PBS.org, 5% of gamblers are addicted. Sure this number seems small. But think about this, PBS.org also reported that in 1997 alone, 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 and stats only went up. Many people are ok gambling for fun, but others 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 companies are not stupid, they want people to be drawn to their products and spend money. 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. Who wants to by pass a shiny new car slot machine at a casino, not me! Every time you see these images, an emotion is triggered, maybe a happy one, an excited one or simply one of anticipation to get the new car or money. These can be very powerful feelings and persuade you to play, quickly you become sucked into the marketing trap.

Most gamblers now what obsession feels like. You start playing the slot machine or online poker, you usually start in small amounts. Maybe you win some money. Why not play the money since it is money you earned, seems logical! Of course you lose your money, so you play a little extra to win back what you already spent, no harm there you might think. 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.

The last thing anyone wants to do is admit they have lost control of their lives. This is the most difficult thing for most addicts to do. You have already taken the first step, if you are reading this, you know you are suffering from an addiction. The worst part is over, it is all down hill from here, especially when you have help. 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 uncover emotional attachments or triggers you might associate with gambling. Instead of wanting to gamble, after hypnosis you will simply be able to walk by with no problems. Hypnosis can help you improve you will power and give you the confidence to just say no to gambling all together.

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.