Gambling, screens & other habits~15 minCBT
Thinking traps in gambling
Catch the beliefs that keep betting going — chasing, 'due for a win', 'I have a system' — and check them against reality.
Cognitive therapy for gambling (Ladouceur and colleagues) works by correcting the mistaken beliefs that drive betting: that you can predict or control random outcomes, that a win is 'due', or that near misses mean you're close. Seeing the trap is half the battle.
1. 'I just need to win back what I lost.' — My version, and the reality
Every bet is priced so the house or the app takes a cut, so chasing usually digs the hole deeper.
2. 'I'm due for a win.' — My version, and the reality
Each spin, hand or game is independent. Past losses don't make a win more likely.
3. 'I have a system' or 'I know the sport.' — My version, and the reality
Knowledge doesn't beat the built-in edge over time. Lucky streaks feel like skill.
4. 'I almost won.' — My version, and the reality
A near miss is a loss. Games are designed to make near misses feel exciting.
5. 'It's not gambling, it's trading.' — My version, and the reality
If you're risking money on an uncertain outcome hoping to win more, it works like gambling — whatever the app calls it.
6. What I remember (the wins) vs. what actually happened (the total)
7. My reality check, in one sentence
"The only sure way to win is not to bet."