May is recognized as National Mental Health Month, an opportunity to share the importance of care in our relationships to others and to ourselves. Sustaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle to achieve “wellness” in our daily lives can be a challenge, especially if dealing with problematic behavior.
Gambling can be fun. But for some, gambling can get out of control and create financial problems, family/relationship issues, even legal problems. If you choose to gamble, keep it safe:
-Set a limit on how much time you spend, the frequency and duration you gamble.
-Only gamble with money you can afford to lose.
-View gambling as entertainment, not as a way to make money.
-Don’t try to win back losses by more gambling.
-Balance gambling with other leisure activities.
-Gamble socially with friends or family, not alone.
-Avoid alcohol or other drugs when gambling.
-Do not gamble when you are at “high risk” such as coping with negative emotions (grief, anger, depression) or under financial pressure and stress.
-Gamble with the awareness and understanding that over time nearly everyone loses.
If you think your life might be going off balance due to your gambling activity, click here to begin a simple self-assessment test. Or call the Maryland Helpline (1-800-GAMBLER) to “have the conversation” with a Gambling Peer Recovery Support Specialist who can guide you to the resources you need, including “no cost treatment.”
It is never to late to get the balance back in your life.
Maryland Helpline: 1-800-Gambler
www.helpmygamblingproblem.org
