One of the ways we have to do things to overcome others is to have another type of entertainment in mind , how ? doing sports, doing activities to get organized and stop thinking about what is causing damage, when the damage is very strong , it is very obvious that you need help, therapies, rehabilitation, because sometimes addictions can become so strong as to Overcome certain emotions of People and have a direct influence on your life, and that is what should be avoided. As adults, you always have to be in Control of Everything and not let yourself be Defeated by Adversity.
I've considered numerous times how to stop gambling; it's a dangerous path that no one wants to take. Stopping gambling is not something you do immediately or in a single day. This generally takes a long time before one can totally distinguish themselves from addicts. I do take the time to check the recreational activities that would divert my attention away from gambling; it takes time, but no pain, no gain. It's heartbreaking to see our contemporaries become gambling addicts. I understand their desire for financial freedom, but gambling is not the way to achieve it. It will only lead us into huge debts, forcing us to sell our possessions and valuables in order to settle everything.
At least you have something to get your attention diverted, that is what most gambling addicts lack, they don't have anything else to pay attention to, that is the basic reason why one becomes addicted to gambling because they don't have much to do or they stop doing other things only for gambling which then becomes a problem and even if they want to do other things, they can't because the urge to gamble doesn't let them stop and go.
You are right that it takes time and courage to conquer this, if someone who is addicted to gambling has someone very close to them assisting them in this, they can do it more quickly because their close ones know what you like to do and they can make you do that along with them.
It's too hard to get your attarction diverted from gambling. Why ?
Because there are no programs that can make you rich and play games while earning money at the same time. I have seen people who try to make themselves busy in other things , try to find the other hobbies but in the end they revert back to gambling because there is nothing like gambling. There is no substitute for gambling.