Inner Dialogue: The Correlation between Self-Talk and Self-Image

About age five, you began a conversation or a running dialogue that will last your entire life. These will be the most important conversations you will ever have, as they will greatly influence who you become and to what degree you will give yourself a chance to succeed in life. This conversation is with you. Over time, nothing is more influential to your ability to give yourself a chance than your self-talk. Indeed, self-talk and self-image are closely entwined.

Like many important aspects of life, we’re usually not taught how to talk to ourselves. Sure, we’re told to “think positive.” What the heck does that mean? Rarely when an authority figure offers that advice do they follow it up with examples to help you understand how to frame your thinking into a positive outcome or thought pattern. That’s probably because the advisor doesn’t really know how to really “think positive.”

There are a number of different dynamics to self-talk as it relates to self-image. As you grow up, like many of us, you have events occur around you and to you that are good and bad, sometimes really bad. These events, especially the negative ones, can “freeze” your self-image at that age. You may have a number of self-images that you speak with each day. This doesn’t mean you have multiple personalities, but that you have various versions of you giving you advice from different ages.

For example, maybe at an impressionable age for your emerging sexuality, you saw, heard or experienced something that convinced you that you were unattractive. Imagine a thirteen-year-old boy who overhears his mother in conversation with her own mother about how disgusting sex is and how the penis is funny looking. The sexual identity of that 13-year-old could well freeze at that point. For the rest of his life, his inner-dialogue and self-image regarding sex may be framed completely around that single conversation from an authority figure. His sense of attractiveness and appeal to the opposite sex is restrained by what he was “taught” by his mother. This programmed him to feel that women think sex is disgusting and the male organ funny looking.

Had he heard that same conversation at age 23, odds are it would have had little lasting effect accept, maybe to help him understand certain dynamics of the relationship between his father and mother a little more.

Conversely, a 14-year-old young girl may hear her father speak of women in a degrading manner that convinces her that her worth is tied to her ability to sexually attract men. Her self-image froze there and was supported throughout adulthood by the ongoing conversations with that 14-year-old.

It’s not unusual in weight loss sessions for the person, often a woman, describe how she sat in the kitchen while her parents yelled at each other. The fighting made her sad, so she would just sit there and continue to eat to try to make her feel better. Her associations with food changed from something to eat because she was hungry to something that provided her with comfort. Food became a friend. From that point on, her inner-dialogue regarding food was framed and driven by that young, frightened, sad little girl.

One weight client was raped as a young teen. Her mother, in a sincere attempt to console her, told her that it happened because, “She was too pretty.” Overeating for the next 20-years was her way making sure that never happened again.

In addiction counseling, the phrase “chasing the dragon” has to do with the ongoing attempt by the addict to return to those initial experiences of getting drunk or drugged that were pleasurable. Even as their lives fall apart around them and intellectually they understand that drinking and drugging is ruining them, they continue to chase the dragon. The part of them that says to drink is trying to return to that first buzz. Dr. Wil Horton says that when he is working with clients on overcoming alcohol addiction is to remember your last drink, not your first.

John Graden is a fun, exciting, and inspirational speaker, author, and trainer

A martial arts master teachers, he is the author of five books including The Impostor Syndrome: How to Replace Self-Doubt with Self-Confidence and Train Your Brain for Success, Mr. Graden has been profiled by hundreds of international publications including over 20 magazine cover stories and a comprehensive profile in the Wall Street Journal

Presentations include: The Impostor Syndrome, Black Belt Leadership, The Secret to Self Confidence, and How to Create a Life Instead of Making a Living, John has taught his proven and unique principles of success to thousands of people on three continents since 1987

From keynote presentations for thousands to one-on-one coaching sessions, John Graden is a dynamic speaker, teacher, and media personality who brings passion and entertainment to his presentations

http://www.JohnGraden.com http://www.JohnGradenTV.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/addictions-articles/inner-dialogue-the-correlation-between-selftalk-and-selfimage-831226.html

Helping Someone Stop Gambling

The Internet has created a tremendous problem for anyone with a gambling habit. There are an abundance of easily accessible online gambling sites and activities. 24/7 access to gambling sites can be a disaster for a person who is trying to stop gambling. With an abundance of online casinos and betting sites, anyone with a gambling addiction and an Internet connection is faced with constant temptation to log on and just make one more bet.

Why can’t someone just stop gambling on their own? Do they enjoy losing money?

A compulsive gambler often wants to stop gambling. After all, he is losing his hard earned money, risking his relationships, suffering from mood swings and stress . . . But he can not just decide to stop gambling without help. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) – the American handbook for mental health professionals – Compulsive Gambling is a mental disorder that requires treatment.

How do you know if someone should stop gambling? After all, many people have control of their gambling and enjoy it.

Problem gambling is characterized by a difficulty to limit the amount of time and money spent on gambling which leads to harmful effects on the gambler as well as those close to him or her. Compulsive gambling is now defined as persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behavior meeting five of the following behaviors:

1. Preoccupation. He/She has frequent thoughts about gambling experiences, whether past, future, or fantasy.

2. Tolerance. He/She requires larger or more frequent wagers to experience the same “rush”.

3. Withdrawal. Restlessness or irritability associated with attempts to cease or reduce gambling.

4. Escape. Gambles to improve mood or escape problems.

5. Chasing. He/She tries to win back gambling losses by gambling.

6. Lying. Lies to hide his or her gambling habit.

7. Loss of control. He/She has unsuccessfully attempted to reduce gambling.

8. Illegal acts. He/She has broken the law in order to obtain gambling money or recover gambling losses.

9. Risked significant relationship. Gambles despite risking or losing a relationship, job, or other significant opportunity.

10. Bailout. He/She turns to family, friends, or another third party for financial assistance as a result of gambling.

How Can you Help Someone Stop Gambling?

If you know someone who is gambling too much on the Internet, you can do a lot to help them. First of all, get rid of the constant temptation to get online and place bets. Fortunately, that does not mean you need to completely block them from the family computer or cancel yourInternet connection. If your loved one admits he/she has a gambling problem and they want help to stop gambling, you can agree together to start by blocking their ability to gamble online. By installing a good web filter, you can immediately block gambling and betting websites from your PC, virtually stopping them from reaching casino and other betting websites.   

A web filter is a software program for blocking certain types of Internet content that cause problems. It can be a fast and easy way to stop a problem that is just emerging or helping a serious compulsive gambler to stop gambling from their PC.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/addictions-articles/helping-someone-stop-gambling-831602.html

How To Control Your Gambling Cravings

Before you can begin to move forward to control your gambling cravings you must first be honest with yourself and admit that you do in fact have a gambling problem. This is the first and probably the most important step, admitting to yourself that you have a gambling problem.    Once you have accepted this fact you can then start taking positive action to control your gambling cravings. One thing you should do is start changing your regular routine, for instance if you know that you are accustomed logging onto the internet at a certain time to play at your favorite online casino, as that time approaches you should find something else to do to keep you occupied.   Perhaps you can invite an old friend or family member to dinner or perhaps a movie, anything out of the ordinary that would keep you occupied during those crucial hours. Spending time with family and friends is a good way to distract yourself from the cravings and of course you’ll probably focus intently on what they’re saying to keep yourself distracted so they’ll come away thinking you’re a great listener!

Set some limits for yourself.   Start by setting a limit as to the amount of money you can afford to gamble with at each gambling session. This will help you manage your finances a lot better and you won’t feel so pressed to continue gambling hoping to win back that grocery money you have just lost. This is one of the biggest mistakes gambling addicts make: they dip into finances that are set aside for other things and when they find that they have lost all or nearly all of those funds, they feel compelled to continue playing in the hopes that they will win back at least a portion of those funds. Once you have set a limit on how much money you are able to spend at any given gambling session stick to it no matter if you are on a winning streak or losing terrible.  Log off once your allotted cash has gone.

Now that you have your finances all organized it is time to set up a time play limit.   Set a time limit for how long you can reasonable play for each day, whether it is one, two or three hours.   Once your time limit is in place you should make every effort to stick to that limit.   When the time limit is up you should log off, without hesitating a moment.   No matter if you are winning or losing or if you still have cash left in your account, the main thing here is sticking to your plan, just log off when the time is up, and make no excuses.   Be patient as time goes on your gambling cravings will reduce as you find yourself spending fewer hours on those online casino websites. Fill that time with a new hobby or even a new romance if you think this will distract you even more and if you’re already married then why not wine and dine the wife or hubby, establish a date night, act like the relationship is still new, after all he or she has probably been feeling a little neglected because of your gambling habit.  In time you will be able to take full control of your gambling habits.

Sarah Harrigan is a professional casino player and reviewer. For straight talking honest advice on online gambling be sure to visit her website for comprehensive reviews on the best online casinos and winning casino strategies.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/addictions-articles/how-to-control-your-gambling-cravings-850404.html

Too much Sugar perhaps

I had my first beer at the age of 13 and it was absolutely disgusting stuff and it was quite some time before I had another.

About a week I think, I may not have loved the taste but I liked what it did to me.

Everyone drinks beer, at least all of the people I knew or grew up with, and I thought it was the norm to have a few beers after work, (pretty soon it was before, and during work as well), because Everybody did it.

Before too long Wages were calculated by how many pints to the dollar I could get, nothing else mattered.

Hence the Home Brew Kit.

I can’t remember much about my first attempt at brewing my own beer. It was my brothers wedding and my uncle and I were found unconcious in the bathroom. Too much Sugar maybe.

I even tried Blackberry wine once. 80 pints of knock your block off bliss. Mom threw it out because it was going moldy. AAArgh!

But just how many beers are out there anyway?

I really have no idea, but it saved me money, that is, if I can remember rightly.

I spent year after year looking for new home brew kits and recipes and spent my time brewing, tasting, farting a lot and, of course, getting sloshed.

I don’t have a job today. needless to say, this book of over 640 home brew recipes has stood me in good stead as an income earner and keeps the beer flowing.

Brew Your Own Beer

“Impress your friends and colleagues with

your new-found beer making knowledge,

Over 640 Thirst Quenching Beer Recipes!”

It is not impossible to try all of these in a lifetime but please beware, the gutter is not a nice place to live and being homeless stinks.

Drink, if you have to, sensibly and moderately.

Otherwise, AA is on the first page of the phone book and you will meet hundreds of people there who tried brewing their own beer.

Take Care

Happy Days Goldfinder

 

I am extremely handsome with blonde hair and hazel green eyes. I always carry gold and diamonds in my pocket and ….ooop, wrong page.
My “Job” is making people happy, and I would like to give you something just for reading this so please email me or visit my website, http://www.online2ndincome.com/beerindex.htm

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/addictions-articles/too-much-sugar-perhaps-856956.html

Overcome Addiction with Emotional Freedom Techniques

Addiction can show up in many forms and is described as an obsession or compulsion towards abusing a substance such as alcohol, nicotine, drugs or even food. Psychological addictions are just as common and include addictions to video games, sex, gambling, work or pornography. People who are addicted often feel imprisoned by their obsessions and therefore unable to stop. But, there is a very effective addiction treatment known as Emotional Freedom Techniques or EFT.

Overcome Feeling Powerless

As mentioned above, addiction sufferers often feel powerless and stuck when it comes to their addictions. The fear of not being able to cope without the substance and, feelings of deprivation often come to the forefront when someone tries to “kick” their habit. There are always underlying emotional reasons that drive the addiction, turning it into a vicious cycle. EFT can help to counteract underlying emotional drivers that addicts suffer.

Conquer Cravings

With substance abuse addictions, cravings can overcome someone who is trying to kick their habit. Addiction recovery is possible with EFT as both the physical and psychological components of the cravings can be defused. We do that by addressing the physical sensations, beliefs and attitudes that arise with the cravings by tapping on various acupressure points on the face and body.

Neutralize Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms for some addictions can be quite debilitating and range from sleep disturbances to shakiness and an inability to concentrate. These types of symptoms make quitting very uncomfortable because the addict is unable to function as they did before as they went through the withdrawal period. When successfully applied, EFT can effectively neutralize any physical withdrawal symptoms that surface.

If You Want To Learn More…
If you would like to learn how to use EFT to overcome an addiction from Master Practitioners Carol Look & David Rourke, then check out Healing the Cycle of Addiction with EFT. This program includes 6 audio CDs and is suitable for both practitioners and lay persons. You can listen and follow along with the audios and easily release feeling overwhelmed, identity issues, cravings, withdrawal symptoms and the possibility of relapse. You’ll feel empowered and ready to take on the world!

Laura Whitelaw is a Certified ZPoint and EFT-CC practitioner. If you want to learn more about Emotional Freedom Techniques, visit Healing Pain and Illness with EFT.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/addictions-articles/overcome-addiction-with-emotional-freedom-techniques-860262.html

10 Features of Denial

Denial, they say, is “not just a river in Egypt”. Denial is a strange beast. It is on the cycle of change (or, rather, just off it), as ‘pre-contemplation’. That time when you are not thinking about change because you don’t need to. You are a ‘happy user’. Other people are starting to suggest that you have a problem. Then denial raises it’s ugly head and starts to show its various features:-

1. Avoidance

Avoidance is saying “I don’t think about it. I don’t talk about it. Whenever the small inner voice starts it’s prompting, I submerge it, drowned under more drink, more sex, or with any other distraction.
Avoidance is not going there, saying, “What I don’t know can’t hurt me”".

2. What Problem?

When suggesting that an addict might have a problem, brings out a show of more needles than you would see on a cornered porcupine, you know you’ve pressed a button. The response is a puffed up “What problem? I don’t have a problem.”

He may feel that his righteous indignation has won the day. He has managed to fend off another attack on his character, but the still small voice inside starts to niggle his conscience again.
 
3. Minimising

When you cannot convince yourself that you are not in denial, then it’s best to minimise the problem. You may say, “It’s not that bad, it’s such a small thing. It was a problem last month but now I’ve got control of it. If I put my mind to it, I can stop whenever I want to.”

4. Rationalising
 

Rationalisation is providing a good reason rather than the true reason. But not all rationalisations are good reasons. Some are a real stretch of the imagination, but they are made to sound rational.

“If I can explain the causes of it, I won’t need to sort out the problem. When I get down to the root cause, it will be alright. It’s due to the stress I’m under at work, and that’s putting pressure on the marriage. It’s how my personality is, It’s the way I deal with stress – I can live with it.”

5. Blaming (Projection)

“It’s not my fault. If you had been what I have been through, then you would drink. How can I take responsibility for my drinking when it’s not my fault.” Or, “If you had my wife then you would drink too. I am not an alcoholic, she makes me drink.”

6. Comparing
 
“There are plenty of people with a far more serious problem than me. For example, there’s so and so who’s marriage has just broken up. Compared to him, I don’t have a problem. I don’t need to get help.”

7. Manipulating

“If other people want to help me, that’s their business. I’ll just let them do it. If it fails, it’s not my responsibility. I can blame them. They are the one’s who will feel bad. If anybody else wants me to change when I am not ready, my subsequent lapse will be their fault.”

8. Feeling Better

This happens during the first or second week of treatment. Ten days without the symptoms of the problem. Like a revelation it comes. “I’m cured. I don’t need this treatment. I’ve never felt better in my life. All the drugs are behind me.”

9. Compensation

“I cannot be acting or behaving the way you say because I always act the opposite”.

10. Justification

“I did it because it was the right thing to do at the time. I didn’t think it would lead to anything”.

Extended denial can affect a person physically, mentally and spiritually. It can lead to a state of hopelessness. Hopelessness is itself, another aspect of denial. It denies that we have the ability to change. It means that there is no point in carrying on. It is not even worth anybody trying to help us it would be a waste of their time.

When addicts are in denial, they are not liars. They believe that they are not dependent on chemicals. They are actually unaware of their dependency.

Knowing that you have a problem, does not automatically make bad news into good news. It takes a while for it to sink in. Acceptance does not come easy. It is considered that Denial is, paradoxically, part of the process of recovery. For some, the road to recovery means getting to a place of brokenness, and Denial is often the first step.

Alan Butler is a Recovery Coach having worked for the last 10 years with men recovering from addiction. Three years of this were invested as a House Parent on site at the Christian run Ovis Farm Project in Devon, England. He has a Diploma in Coaching and Mentoring from the Institute of Counselling, Glasgow. He is currently taking time out with his children and granchildren in Australia but would welcome comment through http://www.therecoverycoach.co.uk

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/addictions-articles/10-features-of-denial-862944.html

The 4 Stages of Addiction

According to the dictionary addiction means:-

1. Being abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit forming (especially alcohol and narcotic drugs).

2. An abnormally strong craving.

3. (Roman Law) a formal award by a court sentence of a thing or person to another (as of a debtor to his creditor), a surrender to a master; “under Roman law, addiction was the justification for slavery”

The Chinese have a saying about heroin ‘You begin chasing the dragon but then it jumps on your back and begins chasing you’. Jackie Pullinger, the British woman who set up a ministry in Hong Kong t, wrote a book about her experiences there in ‘Chasing the Dragon’.

This expression relates to smoking heroin, but it could be applied for all mood altering drugs, alcohol, painkillers, tranquillisers, speed, solvents, LSD, cocaine, heroin, crack, ecstasy, barbiturates, and cannabis. It can apply to adrenalin based addictions like gambling, sex, shopping, people (co-dependency) and eating disorders.

Addiction doesn’t just happen. There is a progression towards chemical dependency, or any other addiction. It passes through four main stages.

1. Experimental Stage of Addiction

The Experimental Stage could happen out of curiosity or peer pressure. The user may say “I’ll just try it I don’t have to use it again” The user may experience pleasure or mood swings. The outcome may be intoxication or being stoned, or a ‘rush’ of some sort. Many who experiment with drugs do not progress to the next stage of addiction.

This may start in early teens (sometimes younger) with trying alcohol, cigarettes or cannabis. It is easy to get high because of the body’s low tolerance. Often done with their peers away from a parent or guardian. It may be seen as acting grown up, or a simple act of rebellion.

2. The Recreational Stage of Addiction

During the recreational stage the user may use at the weekends with friends, just to unwind from a stressful week. Looking for relief. Tolerance increases and more substances may be used, amphetamines (speed), larger quantities of alcohol. Symptoms may include stopping out late, suffering hangovers.

The user is by now starting to plan for use. Waiting for the weekend to be with friends, but also risk taking may increase by smoking on the way to school. Starting to lie about how much, and what is being used. Parents may react at this stage by grounding their child.

3. The Early Dependency Stage

During this stage, the regular user becomes an abuser. Now maintaining an addictive lifestyle that starts to affect others. The young user may be missing school and stealing money to feed the habit. Older users may be struggling to keep their job and running up debts. There is a daily preoccupation to source drugs and this often leads to meeting dealers.

4. The Full Dependency Stage

During this stage of addiction, there is a self destructive and compulsive desire to escape to oblivion, or escape from reality. Sobriety is too difficult to face. If left untreated, the addict may now face despair and risks premature death through overdose, suicide, accidents or side effects. Many end up with legal problems, imprisonment and family breakdown.

Addiction causes two main problems, a chemical (or an adrenalin) dependency problem, and a lifestyle problem. These are explored within the framework of other articles. Has addiction faced you or your family?

Alan Butler is a Recovery Coach having worked for the last 10 years with men recovering from addiction. Three years of this were invested as a House Parent on site at the Christian run Ovis Farm Project in Devon, England. He has a Diploma in Coaching and Mentoring from the Institute of Counselling, Glasgow. He is currently taking time out with his children and granchildren in Australia but would welcome comment through http://www.therecoverycoach.co.uk

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/addictions-articles/the-4-stages-of-addiction-862965.html

Abstinence – Does It Make the Heart Grow Fonder?

Saying ‘abstinence’ to a recovering addict is like saying ‘celibacy’ to a hot blooded male. In my years working on the Ovis Farm Project, the concept of Abstinence was one of the difficult principles to get across. It wasn’t that your recovering addict didn’t understand the word, it was just too difficult to see “how it applies to me.”

Abstinence was OK for everybody else, but “I will be able to control my drinking or drug taking as long as I have a short break.” Moderation seemed the best and logical option. Like, abstinence means forever! A lifetime without a drink was too much to contemplate. The very idea of a life after rehab without their drug of choice was enough to derail them and send them running up the track to the nearest bar.

I realise that Abstinence is a big thing to ask your regular addict. You are asking him to give up the one thing that has made his life liveable, the only thing that can get him through a day. This is not an easy option.

Let’s get this straight. Abstinence is not ‘recovery’. Abstinence is a pre-condition of recovery. Recovery is about overcoming addictive thinking. Abraham J Twerski, in his book, ‘Addictive Thinking’ suggests the formula:-

Recovery = Abstinence + Change

He then makes the following observation, “When we try to convince addicts of the fallacy of their thinking, it is like telling someone that his or her belief in the law of gravity is a delusion. It is the height of futility to expect an addictive thinker to abandon their concept of reality and accept ours instead.”

Perhaps timing is an important factor. In the early stages of recovery how can you make a lifetime commitment, when taking a day at a time is all you can do? “Please don’t mention the ‘A’ word until I’ve been dry for six months and then some”

When a recovering person is six months into his program, he can start to see a different horizon. He can start looking forward to make short and medium term goals. Indeed, a significant goal may have already been achieved by making it through six months. So what about abstinence then? If there is so much as a shadow of a doubt about abstinence, our recovering person is due for a fall. It may come in a month, it may come in a week, but generally it happens the day you walk out of the rehab gate. Stay with the program until you can make a heartfelt decision for abstinence.

Why should you go for abstinence? – You will have experienced many traumas in your life as an addict. You will probably have lost your job, lost your family, spent time in prison, and attended too many funerals to remeber. You have a life-controlling problem.

The only sure way not to repeat the previous 10 or 20 years is to have a commitment to abstinence. Decide never to use again. Abstinence is a choice you can make when you have been clean for a while, it is extremely difficult to make choices when you are still using. You may need help. Do another program, live a ‘day at a time’ even try harm reduction – but make a commitment to abstinence.

You may be ready right now to take this step. You are sick and tired of being sick and tired. You have had enough of letting your past dictate your future. You will know that it is the right time. There is a right time for some things.

Here are some steps to help you get into the right frame of mind:-

1. A commitment to abstinence is not a commitment to perfection.

2. Understand how your body and your mind works – get to know your triggers and find alternatives to your thinking patterns and your habits.

3. Remember that a lapse does not need to lead to a relapse – don’t beat yourself up when you slip – it’s a mistake, not the end of the world. Get help’

4. When was the last time you managed to moderate your drinking or drug taking? When did you last go out and have one beer then go home? Have you tried moderation a number of times and it didn’t work? Maybe that will help you decide.

Learn different coping mechanisms. If someone tempts you with a drink, say. “I don’t drink,” not, “I’m trying to give up.” Think like a non-drinker. If emotional issues arise, deal with them – don’t use them as an excuse to derail your recovery. You are on the ‘no-excuses’ track now.

Be totally committed to your future, Remember why you are making the new choices. That old way of life is in the past where it needs to stay. You can start a new life. Clear your head to focus on your goals. Be ever watchful but don’t be consumed by the old life. Forgive yourself and move on.

Alan Butler is a Recovery Coach having worked for the last 10 years with men recovering from addiction. Three years of this were invested as a House Parent on site at the Christian run Ovis Farm Project in Devon, England. He has a Diploma in Coaching and Mentoring from the Institute of Counselling, Glasgow. He is currently taking time out with his children and granchildren in Australia but would welcome comment through http://www.therecoverycoach.co.uk

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/addictions-articles/abstinence-does-it-make-the-heart-grow-fonder-863006.html

How to go about joining New Online Casinos

When dealing with a new online casino the individual needs to practice a certain level of caution to insure that their choice leads them to an enjoyable experience. The future online casino gambler should take it upon themselves to check into a website before committing to a subscription, this can be done by logging on to an online casino gambling directory which should give the user a full background source of information from which an educated decision can be made. The individual can also get information on a new online casino from other online casino gamblers; these should be people that the individual knows personally as opposed to just online contacts, if no information is available about a particular online casino website the player should not attempt to make contact.

One of the perils of a new online casino is that they can disappear just as quickly as they appeared and take with it the subscriber’s deposit or winnings, the player should always seek out the more reputable online casino websites that have been operating for a long while. Checking online gambling news websites is also a good method of obtaining information on new online casinos as they would most likely use this medium to advertise, the player should note that this is not proof of a safe website only a limited summary of the website particulars placed by the online casino providers and not an independent source. The player using these online casinos, whether new or not should never take anything for granted and must always keep alert, anything that seems out of the ordinary should be reported to the online casino security division which can also be found on the online casino directory.

For the individual who would still like to subscribe to one of the new online casino websites there are a few services that they should look for to gauge the dependability of their choice. The player should find out via the casino profile what company is running the casino and who their backers are; a new online casino being backed by a real land based casino could provide better security for the player. The other thing the player should look for is the customer service of the online casino, knowing that an online casino is a financial institution that involves a high level of trust, the player should test the customer service hotlines to see how long it takes to get a reply to their queries, being able to get knowledgeable assistance from a real person 24/7 by either email or telephone is a huge plus for any online casino and excellent for a new website.

Before the individual attempts to log on to any of the new online casino websites they should take the precaution to equip their computer with the latest anti-virus and spy ware software, a good internet connection is also a must as there is nothing worse than getting cut off in the middle of a game. The player should also check the level of availability of the online casino to know whether the website software can handle the number of players logging onto and playing the different games on the site, any slowing down or freezing up of the website software should be a good indicator to the player of the quality of their choice. Even though online casinos have high tech tracking devices to prevent scam artists, the player must still be on the lookout especially with new online casinos, and most importantly the player must check to make sure that the online casino they have chosen is legal in their country.

Sarah Harrigan is a professional casino player and reviewer. For straight talking honest advice on playing online casinos be sure to visit her website for comprehensive reviews on the most trusted online casinos and winning casino strategies.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/online-gambling-articles/how-to-go-about-joining-new-online-casinos-868071.html

goldcoins-articles/Choosing Gold Coins For Your Collection.txt

Gold Coins </p> <p>Choosing Gold Coins For Your Collection</p> <p>Perhaps you have a few gold coins in your possession, and you?ve been<br /> thinking about starting a collection of gold coins. Maybe you feel you<br /> could collect something of value, or maybe you simply like the way the<br /> coins look. You could even be thinking that a collection of gold coins<br /> could pass down through future generations of your family as an heirloom.<br /> However, you don?t know much about collecting gold coins, and you<br /> certainly don?t know how to choose the right gold coins for your<br /> collection. How do you know when to purchase one for your collection and<br /> when to walk away from an offer? That solely depends on you, but there<br /> are some guidelines you can use to determine if certain gold coins are<br /> right for you.</p> <p>1. Choose gold coins that you like. Realize that, even if you are<br /> trying to collect gold coins of value, including rare and limited edition<br /> gold coins, this is your own personal collection. While you may have<br /> them out for show when others come to visit, you will be the most<br /> frequent admirer of your own gold coins. Therefore, you should be able<br /> to look at them and think these are all fabulous. You should adore every<br /> piece in your own collection. Therefore, if you come across any gold<br /> coins that don?t appeal to you, it is probably an opportunity to walk<br /> away from.</p> <p>2. Know how many of those gold coins are in print. Especially if you<br /> are collecting to increase the value of your collection, many of the<br /> television offers that claim to be for special edition or commemorative<br /> edition gold coins are actually mass produced coins that equate to low<br /> overall value. Again, the first rule of thumb is to purchase gold coins<br /> that you find attractive, so if you really like the coin in the offer, by<br /> all means make the purchase. However, with each and every coin you buy,<br /> you should research the number of those gold coins minted.</p> <p>3. When in doubt, don?t buy. If you aren?t sure you want to add one of<br /> those gold coins to your collection, or you are unsure of the<br /> authenticity of it and have no immediate way to verify it, you are<br /> probably better off walking away from the offer. This protects you from<br /> bad investments in gold coins and reduces the guilt factor when you buy<br /> something you really didn?t want or need.</p> <p><script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="http://www.jdoqocy.com/placeholder-3935071?target=_top&mouseover=N"></script> <p style='color:#000000; font-size:10px; font-family:Arial; font-weight:normal;'>goldcoins-articles/Choosing Gold Coins For Your Collection.txt</p> <div style="clear:both;"></div> <!-- <rdf:RDF xmlns:rdf="http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:trackback="http://madskills.com/public/xml/rss/module/trackback/"> <rdf:Description rdf:about="http://crackthegamblingcode.com/goldcoins-articleschoosing-gold-coins-for-your-collectiontxt/" dc:identifier="http://crackthegamblingcode.com/goldcoins-articleschoosing-gold-coins-for-your-collectiontxt/" dc:title="goldcoins-articles/Choosing Gold Coins For Your Collection.txt" trackback:ping="http://crackthegamblingcode.com/goldcoins-articleschoosing-gold-coins-for-your-collectiontxt/trackback/" /> </rdf:RDF> --> <p><a href="http://crackthegamblingcode.com/2009/04/" >← Previous Page</a> — <a href="http://crackthegamblingcode.com/2009/04/page/3/" >Next Page →</a></p> </div> <!-- begin l_sidebar --> <div id="l_sidebar"> <ul id="l_sidebarwidgeted"> <li id="Recent"> <h2>Recently Written</h2> <ul> <li><a href='http://crackthegamblingcode.com/online-gambling-goes-live-in-canada-apcw-perspectives-weekly-for-july-23rd-2010/' title='Online Gambling Goes Live in Canada! 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