Actually it can be a thing of decision, if a gambler decides to stop, it would literally be very difficult for him, it's just a matter of time and determination. The gambler should see it as a thing that's not beneficial. As time goes on that gambler tries to forget about it and also trying to concentrate on other important things that would be more beneficial. Gradually he/she would forget and move on.
It is possible for it to be a thing of the past
It is possible for people who really want it for people with great determination but those people are very few compared to the people who have not this great skill.Therefore gambling can be a thing of the past for very few persons from the ones that were addicted,only few make it like that famous Italian song says "1 in a million makes it",the majority of the gamblers who are addicted unfortunately cannot make gambling problems to be a thing of the past,they are sucked into addiction and continue so until they ruin everything.I hope this situation changes but so far very few from the addicted gamblers makes it that gambling problems can be a thing of the past.