Recovery is a journey, and setbacks can happen. A relapse does not erase the progress you have made. If you experience a setback, reach out for support rather than trying to manage it alone. Talk with a trusted friend or family member, reconnect with your counselor or treatment provider, attend a support group meeting or reengage with your recovery program. The sooner you seek support, the easier it can be to get back on track.

1. Talk It Out
When you experience urges to gamble, talk with someone you trust. Sharing your thoughts and feelings can help reduce their power and remind you that you do not have to face recovery alone.

2. Learn From Setbacks
If a relapse occurs, avoid dwelling on shame or self-criticism. Instead, try to understand what triggered the setback and what steps you can take to strengthen your recovery moving forward.

3. Find Healthy Activities
Develop hobbies and interests that provide enjoyment, purpose and connection. Consider joining a club, volunteering, learning a new skill or spending more time with supportive friends and family.

4. Stay Physically Active
Regular physical activity can improve mood, reduce stress and support overall well-being. Even a short daily walk can help strengthen both physical and mental health.

5. Remember the Odds
Gambling is designed so that the odds favor the operator over time. Reminding yourself of this reality can help counter the belief that gambling is a reliable way to make money or solve financial problems.

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Gambling among older adults is different from gambling in younger age groups for the following reasons:

• When people are coping with big changes or loss, they are more vulnerable to developing a gambling problem; many older adults face life transitions and losses, such as death of loved ones, end of career or isolation from family and friends.
• Older adults who have gambled away their retirement savings don't have working years to make up their losses.
• Older adults may not understand addiction, making them less likely to identify a gambling problem.
• Older adults can be less willing to seek assistance for a gambling problem than younger adults.
• Many older adults hide their gambling because of the stigma associated with it, and health professionals rarely assess for problem gambling.
• Older adults often have easy access to gambling and are drawn to gambling to fill their time or to be with other people.
• Some older adults may have cognitive impairment that interferes with their ability to make sound decisions.

Many casinos market to older adults through incentives such as free transportation, discounted meals, entertainment, player rewards programs and promotional giveaways. Some casinos also offer amenities such as wheelchairs and motorized scooters to improve accessibility and convenience for patrons.

Because seniors tend to live away from their younger family members, their addiction can remain hidden for long stretches of time. However, there are some detectable signs that an older adult may have a gambling addiction. Seniors may:

• gamble to calm nerves, forget worries or reduce depression,
• lose interest in other things, such as food,
• talk about, think about or plan to gamble and not do other activities,
• lie about gambling habits,
• appear withdrawn or frequently unavailable,
• be vague when describing their days and activities,
• have sold off their valuable possessions for unexplained reasons,
• talk a lot about exciting wins – but never discuss their losses,
• gamble alone or gamble more often,
• get into arguments about gambling,
• go without basic needs in order to gamble,
• need to gamble more and more money in order to get the desired effect,
• experience health problems related to gambling like lethargy, headaches, bladder problems, anxiety and depression, and
• have financial problems caused by gambling.

Women can develop gambling problems for many reasons. For some, gambling becomes a way to escape difficult emotions such as sadness, loneliness, stress or anger. In these situations, gambling may provide a temporary distraction from life's challenges or emotional pain. As gambling continues, individuals may lose track of time, money and other responsibilities, while wins or near wins can create feelings of excitement, accomplishment or increased self-worth.

Some women gamble socially for years without experiencing problems but develop gambling-related harm following a major life change. Events such as retirement, divorce, the loss of a loved one or other significant transitions can increase vulnerability. The risk may be even greater for women with a history of substance use disorders, other addictions or mental health challenges.

Research suggests that women may be more likely to engage with social casino games, which are typically free to play but encourage users to purchase virtual coins or credits with real money. Unlike traditional gambling, these games do not offer the opportunity to win money or prizes.

Studies also indicate that women affected by gambling harm—whether their own or a loved one's—may be less likely to seek help or discuss the issue openly. Feelings of shame, guilt and fear can lead to secrecy and make it more difficult to access support and recovery resources.

An emerging concern is the growing number of women participating in sports betting. Once viewed primarily as a male activity, sports betting is increasingly being marketed to women, particularly through online and mobile platforms. As sports betting expands across the country and access to betting apps continues to grow, understanding its impact on women will become increasingly important.