The problems gambling or gambling addiction is haunting for many families, but in fact, this problem is not difficult to solve if you know the information in this article. So how to solve the problems gambling addiction, f ollow along in the article below.
Online gambling Singapore has existed since the dawn of time. One can only imagine cavemen betting on who will hunt down the largest venison. Indeed, gambling can be a lot of fun as well as profitable. But gambling can also be addictive.
Gambling addiction is where the real problem lies. Mental health professionals have long agreed that compulsive gamblers suffer more from mental health issues than anything else.
Similar to substance use and misuse, there are impulse control problems associated with any form of addiction, including gambling. In this post, you will learn why pathological gambling is a problem and how problem gamblers can curtail their gambling behaviour before it gets out of hand.
What is Gambling Addiction, and Why is it a Problems Gambling?
Gambling addiction is a gambling disorder prompted by a compulsive need to gamble. Gambling involves risk-taking, but ordinary people tend to take calculated risks.
Ordinary people are cautious of the amount of time and money into gambling. Regular folks know when to call it quits with their gambling urges even when they are seemingly on a winning run. For an average person, excessive gambling could pose a problem to their finances and relationships.
However, compulsive gamblers do not know when or how to stop gambling. They view a loss as an opportunity for a win and a win as a chance to keep gambling. Even bookmakers urge gamblers not to bet with funds they don’t have and not to engage in uncontrolled gambling. But for a gambling addict, these warnings fall on deaf ears.
It is estimated that the US population has close to 10 million citizens with problems gambling. It is a frightening thought and represents about 2.6 per cent of the entire population. Addictive gambling creates a problem for the gambler and family members, and any loved one.
Some of these gambling problems are financial and legal problems, social, and mental and include:
Financial Issues:
- Debt: Problems gambling can drive a person into uncontrolled borrowing and debt. Gambling urges can lead to massive debts on credit cards or, worse still, to loan sharks which could be a serious problem.
- Bankruptcy: Financial ruin is too common with gambling addiction, and compulsive gamblers gamble away all their savings.
- Theft: It is not unusual for gamblers with a gambling disorder to resort to stealing money from family members or friends to satisfy their gambling addiction.
Social issues:
- Separation: It is not uncommon for problem gamblers to experience a breakdown in their relationship with a spouse leading to separation.
- Divorce: Irreconcilable differences between spouses can ultimately lead to a divorce.
- Loss of friendships: Gambling addiction can make you lose long-time friendships as no one wants to be friends with a compulsive gambler who constantly borrows huge amounts of money to gamble without paying back what is owed.
Mental complications:
- Depression: According to the American Psychiatric Association, there is a direct link between gambling addiction and mental health disorders like depression.
- According to the National Council on problems gambling, anxiety: Compulsive gambling can cause anxiety disorders.
- Suicide: Suicide is also an unfortunate consequence of deep depression and anxiety issues caused by gambling addiction.
How to solve Gambling Problems?
- Accepting that you have a problem gambling: It is the first step to resolving a problems gambling. The moment you acknowledge that you have a problem, you are already halfway to recovery. Many compulsive gamblers do not want to accept that they have an addiction. They may even claim they control their gambling and don’t need professional help.
- Join self-help groups: After recognising that you have an addiction problem, the next step is to take action. You can join gamblers anonymous support groups, which operate similar to alcoholics anonymous. In these groups, you get to meet and converse with other people suffering from gambling addiction. It is important in addiction treatment as it builds your self-esteem and confidence. You will no longer feel like you are the most horrible person in the world or the only one with a problem.
- Look for Professional Help: The type of gambling you are addicted to does not matter. It does not matter if you are addicted to slot machines, Poker, Roulette or Blackjack. Problems gambling of any kind is a mental health issue, and you need to seek help from a mental health professional. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one surefire treatment technique by mental health professionals known to help problem gamblers gain impulse control and overcome their compulsive gambling issues.
- Stay clear of triggers: Problems gambling may be caused by physical, psychological or mental triggers. Emotional pain can lead a person into addiction. Gambling can be used as an escape from such pain. However, gambling can soon become an addiction if the root cause of the emotional pain is not effectively dealt with. This pain triggers gambling urges which could result in even more serious issues like financial ruin, social isolation, deep depression, suicidal thoughts, and death.
- Look for other vices: It is important that you immediately try something else whenever you have the urge to gamble. With the help of a mental health professional and CBT, you can be taught to ignore your gambling urges and switch to doing something else. You can stick with other activities, such as; sports, meditation, writing, travelling, and any other hobbies you find interesting.
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In Conclusion
Gambling addiction is a problems gambling, but a problem that can be controlled. You need to associate yourself with people that can help you through your addiction problem. Seek professional help from a mental health expert and join support groups like gamblers anonymous to help you deal with your addiction issues. But above all, do not isolate your loved ones or family members when you have a gambling addiction.
