Lesson
Triggers
Learn how to identify different types of triggers for gambling behavior, and improve your ability to fight against them.
Triggers
Our behaviors do not exist in isolation. They are the outcome of a sequence of events, influences, and choices. Like anything, they have a starting point—a spark that ignites the fire. We call these triggers.
By better understanding our own triggers, we can develop effective strategies for avoiding them, or diffusing them and maintain our goal of not gambling.
Triggers v Agency
We all have our own individual triggers for gambling, but in general, we can categorize them into several broad groups based on the types of events, emotions, or situations that prompt the desire to gamble.
Sometimes the triggers for gambling urges today link back to early experiences with gambling. It is common for them to connect to our first experiences gambling, as well as when it first got out of our control.
We’ll gain a stronger ability to leave autopilot mode and consciously choose how we move forward. That’s called agency.
Types of Triggers
Here’s how we categorize triggers at Evive:
Emotional Triggers
Social Triggers
Environmental Triggers
Situational Triggers
Psychological Triggers
Media & Advertising Triggers
Emotional Triggers
These triggers are related to specific emotions or emotional states that lead us to gamble as a way to cope, escape, or seek pleasure. Examples:
“Stress, anxiety, loneliness, boredom, sadness, frustration, excitement, or euphoria make me want to gamble.”
“Today sucked and I need an escape.”
Social Triggers
These triggers involve the influence of social situations or interactions that encourage us to gamble. Examples:
“My work friends meet at the card room on Fridays.”
“My high school buddies stay connected over fantasy sports.”
“My grandfather’s lucky number at the horse track was 7, so everyone in my family does the same.”
Environmental Triggers
These triggers refer to external factors in our surroundings that prompt the desire to gamble. Seeing or hearing about gambling, or being in physical proximity to gambling establishments could do this. Examples:
“My social media feed is filled with gambling posts.”
“I pass by the casino on my way home from work and find myself getting off at that exit.”
Situational Triggers
These triggers are specific circumstances or events that act as prompts for gambling behaviors. Examples:
“I just got my bonus and want to go to the card room.”
“I always celebrate with a night out at the casino.”
“I need cash for my girlfriend’s birthday, so I’ll go all-in on the game tomorrow.”
Psychological Triggers
These triggers are related to thoughts, beliefs, or cognitive processes that influence the urge to gamble. This can include belief in luck or superstitions, the illusion of control over outcomes, distorted thoughts about winning, or experiencing cravings for gambling. Certain mental health conditions and neurodivergence like ADHD can increase compulsive behavior, lower your aversion to risk, and heighten your urge to gamble. Examples:
“Something bad will happen if I don’t place a bet today since it’s 7/7 and that is lucky.”
“Gambling is the only time I feel focused in my brain.”
Media and Advertising Triggers
Similar to situational triggers, these involve exposure to gambling-related content in the media or through advertisements. It is largely out of your control as you can’t control the billboards, advertisements, or news tickers that come across your screen. The issue is that they can ignite an urge, distort the reality that gambling is not all fun and games, and increase the feeling of loneliness and shame from enduring gambling harm. Examples:
“I can’t seem to get away from gambling - ads on the radio, billboards, and my YouTube suggestions.”
“Everyone else is winning and having fun, so I just need to gamble more to be like that.”
User Spotlight - Meet Joe
Tap here to read about Joe's experience with triggers
If you would have asked me about triggers in terms of my gambling six months to a year ago, I would have said that I had none. I didn't necessarily buy into the concept of triggers. Looking back now, I realize had plenty of triggers.
Emotional triggers were probably my biggest ones. If I didn't close a deal at work, if I got into a fight with my wife, if I just felt stressed out and overwhelmed from the day to day of dealing with a newborn, I would bet--HEAVY.
I also really struggled with social triggers. My friends were betting and none of them knew about my problem. So when I would see the group chat popping off about gambling I felt like I was missing out so I had to bet it--even if I didn't like the game.
Environmental triggers were also a big one. I didn't really post much on social media, but I scrolled quite a bit. All the major sports accounts. I followed gambling personalities and guys selling their picks and I would hope that they would be giving out a free one because for whatever reason I trusted these guys. Again, it led to me betting on games that I didn't even have an idea on where the colleges were located.
Find Joe @winning.without.wagers on IG and winning_without_wagers on TikTok
Let's Reflect
What situations or emotions tend to precede my gambling urges, and how can I proactively manage or avoid these triggers in the future?
What strategies have been effective for me in addressing triggers in the past, and how can I incorporate them into my current routine?
Closing Thought
Identifying your triggers is an important first step, the next step is recognizing you have choices. Need to boost your motivation to make the choice that fits your values? Here are a few tools you already have access to in Evive:
Upload a photo of something important to you in Your Big Picture in the Toolkit. It could be your family, a loved one, your pet, your dream car. Seeing an image of what drives you is a huge motivator.
Select a Word from Evive, or write your own positive affirmation. Sometimes all we need is a little word of encouragement to keep us on the right track.
Connect with others who’ve been there before in the Evive Community. Remember, you’re not alone in this!