It is very hard in the beginning. Because it feels like our brain is stuck on a loop. Get money, get to establishment as fast as possible, gamble. In the beginning any frustration of this loop can cause urges or really cravings. Your brain is craving for that excitement or that stimulation and it only remembers one easy quick way of getting it!
But working on filling your gambling time with things that promote natural release of feel good chemicals, like jogging, walking, deep breathing, nature, playing sports, biking, meditation, yoga, tai chi, or any such thing will help.
Slowly over time you will start filling your time with healthy things like study and spending time with friends and family, promoting relationships that are the true meaning of life.
If you find yourself day dreaming about playing shake your head and change the mental picture! Do not dwell on it or play online for fun (no money). This will just keep the urges alive and we rather strangle and stamp them out!
You are making a very wise choice to deal with this now. It is a progressive condition and will just keep getting worse. Because it is a high functioning addiction (not likely to show like an alcohol or drug addiction) in the beginning, a lot of gamblers don’t admit to their problem until they have lost everything many many times and hit a financial brick wall. This could take years or decades!
So although you didn’t chose to have a gambling addiction you can chose recovery! Well done!
Laura