Gambling Addiction and Problem Gambling
Gambling is enjoyed by millions of people all around the world. It starts as a fun activity meant for harmless diversion, but it might sometimes divert into a really unhealthy obsession which is quite likely to have grave consequences. Whether you’re betting on roulettes, poker, slots or sports or even as simple as making a bet with friends, it is a form of gambling and might result in gambling addiction.
Gambling addiction is like any other addiction, such as chemical addiction. This might result in impulse-control disorders, like compulsive thefts and one might have a problem to control their gambling even if it is creating huge problems for themselves and their loved ones.
It usually starts with making a loss, due to gambling activities, and then gambling more to recover those losses. Thinking that gambling is the only solution to the problem of their financial ruin is an illusion that can turn into a never-ending cycle of losing more sum of money. It can also happen when one starts betting more and more money to experience the rush of risking big money, that might eventually become a habit. Gambling is meant to be a fun activity, and if it goes beyond that, it is necessary to seek rehabilitation to overcome this addiction.
It is important to know that this addiction can happen to anyone, though not everyone who walks into a casino gets addicted. Some people might be more vulnerable than others. The sooner you overcome it, the better it is for you and your loved ones. To stop gambling, the person addicted needs to have a desire to control or stop their behavior, not just to please their loved ones.
what causes problem gambling
There might be many factors contributing to gambling addiction. It can be desperation to get more money, the desire to experience the emotional high or the thrill, the atmosphere of the casino, or the societal status, or the urge to break even with the losses. People who fail to keep track of their spendings or believe that they have found a system of winning might also become addicted to the game.
It is also necessary to know the risk factors that might result in gambling disorder. A person who is on medications for Parkinson’s disease aka restless leg syndrome might have an increase in dopamine, which results in impulse control disorder, like compulsive gambling. High levels of serotonin (a chemical that is considered as a natural mood stabilizer) are also more vulnerable to gambling addiction.
Signs and Symptoms You should Know
Unlike drugs and alcohol, there are no obvious physical symptoms when it comes to gambling addiction. Therefore it is often referred to as a hidden illness. Usually, the problem gamblers, are themselves in denial of the problem, but you should know you have developed problem gambling if-
You face problems in controlling gambling
Can you walk away if you have started gambling once? Or, you usually stay till you have betted that last dollar, in order to recover the lost money?Or, have you made any previous attempt to control your gambling, but have been unsuccessful?
Rationalizing behavior
Do you think you are drawn time and again to gambling because you’re facing problems in your life? Personal or Professional? Do you think it is okay to gamble when you are depressed, lonely or bored?
Feel the need to keep it a secret
Are you sneaking out, or hiding it from your close ones about your bad gambling habit? Do you think they won’t understand it? Or do you just think that one day you might win big and amuse them?
Borrowing to gamble
Chasing your losses? Or even when you don’t have money do you seek debts to earn money in gambling? Or do you think of selling your things, or even stealing?
Your friends and family are worried about your Bad Gambling Habit and want you to seek gambling problem help
Do you think you have it in control and that they’re worried without any reason? Chances are you are living in denial. It is better to listen to them carefully and talk to them about it. There is always a way out.
If you think you show any of these signs or symptoms, then you need to control your gambling using the information below.
Contact your 24*7 national toll-free number to get the instan assistance and resources to overcome gambling addiction.
It is never too late to ask for help.
Myths about online casino
A lot of people have a different understanding of Gambling Cravingz. To make it clear for you, we have listed the myths and facts associated with gambling.
Myth:Problem gamblers gamble every day.
Fact: Gambling is problematic if it is rooting to other problems. There is no frequency for gambling to be a problem. Problem gamblers can also gamble infrequently.
Myth: If I am betting the money I can afford to lose, it is not a problem
Fact: It still is a problem. Gambling addiction is much more than a financial crisis. It can lead to spending too much time on gambling, which might lead to relationship and jobs failure, legal problems, mental health problems, dependency, and even suicide.
Myth:Only the weak-willed and irresponsible people fall trap to gambling.
Fact: It can affect anyone from all walks of life. Even people with a good background or more than average intelligence can become addicted to gambling.
Myth: There are problems in the life of problem gambler that makes him gamble
Fact: Every problem gambler tries to rationalize his behavior of gambling, and blames it on an external factor.
Tips for Responsible Gambling
- Know that it is just a game.
- It is not a source to make money, though you met be really lucky to make amazing money.
- Bet the money you can afford to lose.
- Don’t try to recover losses (and make more losses)
- Set a budget or an upper limit on your money spending
- Keep track of your losses. A lot of payment methods help you manage your budget, and tracks your spendings and earnings.
- Set a time limit. Do not cross that time.
- It should not be done to feel good when you are depressed. It is advisable to avoid gambling when sad. Depression and gambling do not go together.
- Avoid alcohol when gambling.
- Do not keep it a secret.
- Find alternatives to gambling-
i. Bored or lonely? Join a group with people who have same interest as yours.
ii. To solve money problems- gambling was never a solution anyway. Think of other ways you can earn money- job, business, freelancing.
iii. To feel thrilled- A lot of activities can give you adrenaline rush, like mountain climbing, racing or a day at the amusement park
iv. For distraction- Give time to your hobbies, dancing, swimming, painting or reading books etc.
Gambling Cravings and How to Deal With It
- Avoid Isolation or Do Some Other Activity
Meet someone over a cup of coffee, or meet a family member. It is not necessary to talk about your craving for them, but the point is to find a distraction while enjoying yourself. Or do something that excites you like dancing, bike riding etc.
- Postpone Gambling
Procrastinate when it comes to gambling cravings. Tell yourself that you’ll wait for 5 minutes or an hour while keeping yourself occupied, and you'll soon find yourself out of the craving. Do not just give into your cravings everytime you have it.
- Think about the consequences
Try visualizing the outcomes of a how to stop gambling and how will feel if you’ll lose a lot of your money and would have also disappointed yourself and your loved ones.
- Also, sometimes you might give into these cravings. Do not use this as an excuse to continue gambling, and give up. Do not use lapses as an excuse to give into sometimes, either.
Contact your 24*7 national toll-free number to get the instan assistance and resources to overcome gambling addiction.
It is never too late to ask for help.
Do you know about 'Self-Exclusion' ?
Self- exclusion is the duty of every online casino to offer its customers an option to exclude themselves as a part of their responsible gambling program. If someone thinks that they are getting addicted to the casino or their gambling is becoming problematic, they can send a mail to the online casino to lock their account and they can also decide to opt out from the promotional emails. This offers a cooling off period by temporary locking the account of the player to the date which he mentions in the form. Quitting the habit of gambling is possible- you just need self discipline and a helping hand. Casinos realize that it is a grave problem if someone indulges in problem gambling and therefore take self-exclusion on a serious note. They are obliged to help you with whatever is within their powers
Gambling Addiction Resources
If you or someone you know thinks that they are getting addicted to casinos or their gambling is becoming problematic, you should know that there a lot of resources available for them to seek help. These resources to treat problem gambling are available in different forms as each person will find different treatment effective for them.
As a part of your therapy, you can opt for a group meeting with similar people or get professional counseling from counselors or doctors. Whether you are looking for a helping hand, someone you can talk to or a rigorous regime, you can find them here.
These are just some of the organizations dedicated to helping people with gambling addiction.
Gamblers Anonymous
Website: http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/
Gamblers Anonymous helps the people addicted to gambling by setting up local groups and a 12- step program for people who want to quit gambling. It also has groups for the loved ones so that they can come together and interact to become able to help the person with their problem. It has been working for this cause since 1957 and have successfully helped a lot of people to overcome their problem of compulsive gambling.
The National Council on Problem Gambling
Website: http://www.ncpgambling.org
Helpline Number: 800-522-4700
It is an exclusive organisation dedicated to support people suffering from gambling addiction. Exclusive here means that they are independent of any gaming platform. They offer help in the form of varieties of resources- valuable information and getting you in touch with expert counselors throughout US. They also offer a helpline number so that the person affected and the loved ones can directly contact them and seek for necessary resources.
Gamcare
Website: http://www.gamcare.org.uk/
Helpline Number: 0808 8020 133
GamCare offers counseling and guidance to anyone who seeks help to overcome gambling addiction or wants to follow responsible gambling. They keep all your information confidential and are trustworthy and are funded by the industry itself. They operate the Helpline in the UK.
Here are some country- wise helpline numbers
Argentina: juegoresponsable.com.ar 0800-333-0333
België: www.vad.be 02 423 03 33
Brasil: www.elianaferrarez.com.br32 3236 1014
Canadien: www.problemgambling.ca1-888-230-3505
Chile: www.psicologosludopatiachile.cl 9 222 3860
Deutschland: www.spielen-mit-verantwortung.de0800-1 37 27 00
España: fejar.org 900 200 225
France: www.ifac-addictions.fr+ 33 (0)2 40 84 76 20
Italia: www.giocaresponsabile.it800 921 121
Nederland: www.agog.nl0900-2177721
Norge: hjelpelinjen.no800 800 40
Österreich: www.spielsuchthilfe.at (1) 544 13 57
Português: www.jogoresponsavel.pt 213 950 911
Schweiz: www.suchtschweiz.ch 021 321 29 11
Sverige: www.spelberoende.se020-81 91 00
