Struggling with a gambling problem can make everyday existence feel hopeless at times, and it can be overwhelming to even think about how to regain control of your life. However, as millions of people already know, recovery is very much possible. There are many bumps, twists, and turns on the long road to a successful recovery from problem gambling, and navigating them can be challenging, but getting there is worth it — and it’s worth celebrating, too.
If you’re currently on a recovery journey related to a gambling problem, it’s important to take time to celebrate your recovery milestones, no matter where you are in the process. Read on to learn more about why celebrating milestones is an essential step in the process of recovering from a gambling problem, or call our toll-free helpline now for 24/7 confidential gambling help. We’re here for you!
Creates Connection
Whether you’ve sought out support groups like Gamblers Anonymous or you’re working towards recovery in traditional therapy, one thing is for certain: human connection is an invaluable tool in the recovery process. That’s why celebrating milestones with supportive friends and family members can be so meaningful. Even a small celebration serves as a chance to bring the people who care about you together and experience their love firsthand. If others in your life have struggled with problem gambling, consider celebrating recovery milestones together. Hearing them share their experience can help you keep following your own path. If your problem gambling has caused disruption or tension in your relationships, celebrating milestones can also serve as a chance for you and your loved ones to heal together and move on to a better future.
Provides a Sense of Accomplishment
Celebrating milestones during your recovery provides you with a sense of accomplishment, and the resulting hope and encouragement you’ll feel can help you continue working towards a better life — and your loved ones will be able to admire your efforts and cheer on your decisions. If you’d like to celebrate concrete numbers, you can count the number of days, weeks, months, or years you’ve abstained from gambling. As an alternative, you can try estimating the amount of time and money you previously spent on gambling, then calculate how much you’ve saved.
Enables Introspection & Reflection
Taking time to appreciate milestones is also important for problem gamblers because it provides an opportunity for reflection and introspection, which are two healthy coping mechanisms that everyone should practice. From looking back at your early days recognizing the signs of a gambling problem, how far have you come? How have aspects like relationship problems, mental health struggles, and other hardships contributed to your gambling problem — and how are you coping with them now that you’re in recovery? These and other questions are important to ask yourself, even if you don’t have concrete answers for everything.
Acknowledges Your Hard Work
Celebrating your milestones is also about celebrating the hard work you’ve done and will continue to do. After all, recovering from a gambling problem isn’t easy. It takes courage to come forward about your gambling problem and seek help, and the journey doesn’t always get easier once all the cards are on the table (pun intended). Whether you’ve had to practice self-exclusion at your local casino, place restrictions on your use of the Internet, or seek financial counseling, overcoming problem gambling behavior and its consequences is a long-term process that takes discipline, care, and effort — and that’s worth celebrating!
Be Proud of Your Recovery!
Even though certain parts of a person’s life may affect their predisposition toward problem gambling, there are no true universal personality traits of a gambler — problem gamblers come from all cultures, colors, creeds, and walks of life, and that means anyone can be vulnerable to developing a gambling problem. If you’ve had the strength to begin recovering, take some time to celebrate your milestones and appreciate how far you’ve come, and let each celebration serve as an event to remember along the long road to recovery!
If you or a loved one is struggling with a gambling problem, you aren’t alone. A safe space for help is available here at 800-GAMBLER. Our toll-free, confidential helpline operates 24/7 and we can connect you to a variety of recovery resources. Get in touch with us now and take back your life for the better!