Everything you need to know about gambling addiction
Gambling addiction is similar to addiction to drugs and substance abuse. So, it’s not really hard to hide from those close to you that you are addicted. You might find it hard to distinguish when you just gamble for fun and when you go overboard. This article will help you identify if you are addicted to gambling. Only then can you try to cut down on the habit.
Reasons Why People Gamble
People gamble because of different reasons. That’s why you find there’s a wider option of gambling activities. The same way every player will have some reasoning behind their choice to go gambling. Here are the reasons why people gamble;
- People gamble to pass time, kill boredom and be entertained
Gambling is a great source of entertainment. The thrill and rush obtained from placing wagers help you to kill boredom and stay entertained all day. - Another reason people gamble is for the sake of jackpots, big money, and other monetary benefits. People want a quick way out of poverty. So, they will gamble their way to a big payout and financial freedom.
- Gambling gives you a sense of confidence and belonging. When you win, you feel entitled to victory. Similarly, gathering in a casino alongside players with similar interests gives you a sense of belonging.
- People also gamble to try their luck in securing mastery and knowledge in different games and slots. Everyone wants to boast of their prowess in a certain game. This brings a sense of prestige to players. That’s the reason they will always be gambling.
How to Identify if you are Addicted to Gambling
- One way to identify if you are addicted to gambling is to establish the overall time used in gambling. You might sneak some time away at the workplace and gamble. Or still, spend the whole night on one of the famous online casinos or betting websites.
- Calculating the time you gamble in a day will help you identify if you are addicted to the same.
- The next way is evaluating if gambling has taken a toll on you to the extent of being unproductive at work. Do you deliver substandard work since gambling has taken the better part of your thoughts? This question could help identify if you are addicted to gambling.
- You can identify if you are addicted to gambling by establishing the financial part. Do you stick to a gambling budget? Do you use the money you can afford to lose? Or you go overboard and resort into debt?
How to Treat Gambling Addiction
Gambling addiction can get out of hand prompting you to seek immediate treatment. There are different ways gambling can be treated as explained below;
- Therapy
The two types of therapy you could use are behavioral therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). The latter means unlearning the behavior you want to quit while the former involves replacing popular beliefs about the habit with good and healthy habits. Family therapy is also crucial as it is readily available and of great benefit to you. - Medications
Gambling can take a toll on your mental health and make you anxious and irritable. Thus, you will need medical help. The medication you should use here is those that treat mental disorders associated with gambling. Such include antidepressants, narcotic antagonists, among others. They will help stabilize the mental effects of gambling like depression. - Self-help groups
When you meet up with people recovering from gambling addiction, you ease the healing process. Here, you discuss the problem and working solutions each member has used. Interacting with fellow gamblers also helps you know that you are not alone. These self-help groups are for instance Gambling Anonymous and other resources your professional will direct you to.
John Fosdyle is the founder of Web Casino Star. He is a 36-year-old programmer who enjoys golf, cookery, and drone photography. He is tech-savvy and smart, but can also be very nerdish from time to time. He has a degree in computing and obsessed with creating new tech projects and eating pizza.
John Fosdyle is the founder of Web Casino Star. He is a 36-year-old programmer who enjoys golf, cookery, and drone photography. He is tech-savvy and smart, but can also be very nerdish from time to time. He has a degree in computing and obsessed with creating new tech projects and eating pizza.
