People whose loved ones have a gambling problem often intervene to try to help them. Unfortunately, sometimes that help does not arrive until it is almost too late, and we hear story after story about the terrible things that happen because of gambling addiction. The grim picture painted by the United Kingdom's gambling addiction statistics has sent our lawmakers scrambling to find a solution. We have compiled some of the more common ways that both gamblers and the families of online gamblers can learn how to rescue someone from the clutches of this addiction.
What is Gambling Addiction?
An unshakable habit makes you want to bet on anything on the spur of the moment. Such a habit can constitute a gambling addiction if it involves betting on anything at any time in an almost robotic manner. Of course, betting doesn't have to be a bad thing. Some bets are friendly and harmless. Some involve skill, intellect, or the use of strategy in a way that makes the better (or the better's friends) feel good about themselves and their almost-winning ways. But then there are the bets that creep into the workplace.
Pathological Problem Gambler
The elementary level of gambling addiction is represented by problem gamblers. Unlike certain other forms of addiction, problem gambling is typically not as harmful. However, it can be a mental and emotional burden for gamblers who cannot control the allure of gambling. Telling fibs and what psychologists call "provisional truths" (deceiving oneself to maintain a facade of normalcy) are common among those whose lives revolve around the gaming table. If the statement "The house always wins" were rephrased as "Only a fool would think he or she could actually beat a game of chance and come out ahead," it would still retain the same essential truth.
Binge Gambler
Compulsive gamblers tend to place their bets at intervals that indicate times when they are not involved in any kind of gambling. Yet, at some point in the future, they always seem to come back to it. Once they do, they can't seem to stop. Compulsive gamblers tend not to show signs of responsible gambling. They're just as likely to gamble away their homes as anyone else.
Compulsive Gambler
Of all the types of gambling, the worst is that of the compulsive gambler. They are not deterred by any risk and will bet money they do not have. Their urge to gamble is not limited by time or place. Even when they win, they are never satisfied. They always want to gamble more.
Causes of Gambling Addiction
For many people, the reasons for wanting to gamble are varied and personal. Some people start gambling as a fun, part-time interest and find they cannot stop when it becomes a full-blown addiction. Most of the time, we're quick to guess the causes: poverty, lack of education, or even mental illness. But what if we looked at the causes and precursors of gambling? We might discover that some people are genetically predisposed to risky behavior, making them more likely than others to gamble, drink, or engage in other forms of self-harm. And when it comes to gambling, men are wired to gamble more than women.
How to Deal with Gambling Addiction
In the United Kingdom, there are many channels through which individuals can seek help for problem gambling. Professionals who are adept at recognizing the many signs and symptoms of gambling addiction are the first line of defense in addressing this very serious condition. Once an individual has been properly diagnosed, they can then be directed to various rehab options. Here are just a few of the many centers that offer treatment for this specific condition.
- The Behavioral Addiction National Center Gordon Moody Association: email [email protected] or call 01384 241292