Recognizing and Overcoming the Symptoms of Gambling Addiction
Gamblers or “gamblers” as they are sometimes called, play a challenging game with high stakes, money, and often times. The adrenaline that is pumped into the bloodstream by a successful bet often causes a domino effect that leads to someone else winning the next bet, and so on. If the first bet isn’t successful, more gamblers will try their luck at it, until they lose all their money trying and failing to make a profit. In this twisted way, gamblers use the very elements that cause them the most pain-the loss of money-to propel them onward towards the next high stakes gamble. But why do we gamble in the first place? What are the motivators and the underlying reasons why we play?
Gambling comes down to two things: a reward for being successful and a drawback for not being successful. Gambling is actually the wagering on something with an unpredictable outcome with an intention of either winning something else, or losing something else to continue with the cycle of gambling. Gambling therefore requires three components for it to occur: a prize, higher risk, and consideration. A prize is what we gamblers get, in exchange for our successful bets; higher risk is what gets us higher chances of losing and a lower chance of winning, while a consideration is a thought or opinion we have about the specific event that we’re betting on.
There are different types of gambling games available to gamblers. Some of these include live gambling, which includes live horse racing and video poker websites; sports gambling, which is the betting of state, county, or national sports events; internet gambling, which includes online slot machines; and online casino gambling, which includes poker, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and other video gambling games. Online gambling games are usually easier to access and more convenient than land-based casinos. Most countries have different set of gambling laws, so it is advisable to find out the gambling laws in the country of operation before starting to gamble.
Compulsive gambling is a type of gambling addiction, where a person repeatedly gambles despite the fact that he or she loses money or has an undesirable impact on society. Gamblers who suffer from this condition often gamble uncontrollably to overcome problems, anxiety, stress, personal loss, shame, guilt, or depression. The main characteristics of this disorder are risky behavior, repeated involvement in acts of theft, fraud, embezzlement, spending too much, and thrill seeking. For many people, their problems with compulsive gambling do not surface until they are in their fifties and begin to experience financial, health, and relationship difficulties.
The most common characteristic of gambling is its inability to function as intended: to earn profit, save, or plan ahead. In addition, the repeated betting leads to an erosion of the person’s ability to control impulse and becomes a source of stress, anxiety, and frustration. Most gamblers start with a single fixed goal in mind such as to win money, cover a specific expense, buy a specific item, or accomplish a set of tasks without any specific time frame.
In order to stop gambling, you must recognize and accept that gambling is addictive behavior and then you must be able to recognize the symptoms of gambling addiction. If you believe that you have a problem with gambling, it is important to consult a licensed therapist or psychologist. You will need to go through intensive therapy and counseling in order to overcome your addiction.