I think the first step is to acknowledge that a person has an addiction. One cannot quit any kind of addiction if he does not know that he is already an addict. Then admission. After we admit that we are an addict then that is the time when we can decide to quit the addiction. There is always a process in everything, especially in addiction, there is no shortcut in a gambler addict's rehabilitation.
It is true. one must first realize that he has become a gambling addict. because how can someone stop gambling if he doesn't feel addicted and feels normal. even though he has exceeded the limits of ordinary gamblers.
And the second important point after realizing that he has become a gambling addict is that he must also have awareness and be determined to stop gambling. or have a strong intention to disengage from gambling. because even though someone is aware that he is a gambling addict but if he does not have the intention and determination to get out of gambling addiction then he will not be released and will even go deeper. and after this second point there is. then the next steps that can be taken are with what the OP posted and can also be with tips from you. So in conclusion, if someone really wants to be free from gambling addiction, he is aware that he has become a gambling addict and has a strong desire/intention//determination to quit and get out of gambling addiction.
I have a friend who is a psychologist, and a long time ago I met her and we started talking, suddenly it came out that we were talking about economics and I jumped with the question of what can a person do who suddenly enters a casino and decides to spend a part of her money having fun with slot machines, but that she hasn't known how to control that fun and it has become an addiction that she can't control, she told me what you say, that the first thing is that the person assumes that he has the problem and Recognize, if the problem is very big, so that you do not fall into suicide you have to be medicated, this to safeguard your integrity, then it is good that you have a partial, almost total distance from all casino games.
This issue is delicate, and very serious, responsibility above all, it is always good to keep in mind that the personality and training of each person affects their decisions.
I think its very hard to change behaviors that turn into habits. Considering the fact that our body literally produces hormones that will effect our psychological health if we keep following our routine. Gambling as a habit is no different. Best way to finish this habit turning into addiction is to cut your brain wires symbolically. You should stop yourself producing that harmful hormone making you slave.
I agree - there is 21/90 rule. It takes 21 days to make a routine and 90 days to make it your habit.
Once you are trained for 21 days - you are good to change your routine. But it take a courage - a real courage indeed.
It is very hard when it comes to changing routines, I think it is too difficult when anxiety strikes, to be concise it is very difficult to be in the process, it is where the falls come, the weaknesses come to light, I think it is a test where you must have a lot of strength, such a serious problem is always difficult to deal with, even with abstention.