Do you think you have a gambling addiction?
Not to worry, you are not alone.
In the United States alone, around 8.17 million people had been noticed to have a gambling Real money blackjack disorder and recommended for treatment and one of the biggest sports, that tons of people are betting on is football betting even when they don’t have a verified betting strategy.
Gambling can be a game, it can be harmless.
But like everything in life, when we are obsessed, engrossed and cannot do without an act, it can become an addiction.
What exactly is a gambling addiction?
A gambling addiction can be said to be a progressive addiction that connotes negative psychological, physical, and social effects. It is grouped as an impulse-control disorder.
Problem gambling is harmful to psychological and physical health. People who live with this addiction may experience depression, migraine, distress, intestinal disorders, and other anxiety-related problems.
Like other addictions, the results of gambling can lead one to feel shame, depressed and helplessness. In extreme cases, this gambling addiction can lead to suicide.
The rate at which people are addicted to gambling has soared in recent terms, this may be because of job loss or other related reasons.
Because of its perceived harmful consequences, gambling addiction has become a significant public health concern in many nations.
Why are people addicted to gambling?
There is no straight answer to the question, but we can trace gambling addiction to some factors which include:
Retirement: When people retire, they have more free time to themselves and they may also feel the need to earn money due to the limited capital they may have after retiring.
Traumatic circumstances: Some people actually have been traumatized by some events in their lives and this may be the reason why they are addicted to gambling. It has been noted that unforeseen job loss can have an adverse effect on the psyche of a man which may push him to gamble.
Job-related stress: When the kind of work you do is stressful, you may want to bet uncontrollably. Stress weakens the mind and one is forced to do what he or she is not supposed to do.
Loneliness: It has been said that the idle hand is the devil’s workshop. When one is jobless or just plain idle, you then see yourself gambling away your time. This can apparently be seen in nations where unemployment is on the rise. Because of their idleness both the young and old use gambling to while away their “free” time.
The presence of other addictions: It has been said that those addicted to other things also gamble shamelessly. For instance, those who are addicted to booze and smoke will likely also be addicted to gambling.
Environmental factors (e.g Friends and been close to betting outlets): A popular axiom says show me your friend and I will tell you who you are. Well, this sometimes is true with betting addictions, if you have friends and close pals betting anyhow, then it is likely you will catch it. Also if your house or place of work is close to a betting house, it can increase the temptation to visit.
How can you stop been addicted to gambling?
This is a big question because it depends on the individual. Some people find it easier swapping addiction. What this means is that they replace one addiction with another. Usually, people find a different addiction that they feel to have a less adverse effect to replace another addiction. Some people have been found to replace with drinking, partying among others. The issue with swapping addictions is the replaced addiction will also need to be cured. So while this is an option, there are other ways to go about curing addiction to gambling:
A.Therapy: This could be behavior therapy or cognitive behavioural therapy ( CBT). Behaviour therapy aids one to reduce the urge to bet by systematically exposing them to the behaviour.
B.Medications: Mood stabilizers andante-depressants can help reduce symptoms and sickness that sometimes appear with gambling addictions. Some anti-depressants can actually limit the gambling urge.
C.Group discussions: Some individuals find it helpful when they discuss their gambling addictions with other people who face the same addictions. It gives them a sense of belonging knowing that they are not the only one fighting that battle.
In a nutshell, gambling addiction is a dangerous menace that is eating deep into the lives of many individuals and it must not be handled with levity. If you find you are getting close to being addicted, the best thing is to stay away before it becomes unstoppable. However, though it seems hopeless, it is not a hopeless situation. Even if you are addicted already, there is a solution to it as far as you are willing and ready to put in the work.
