Gambling Addiction and Problem Gambling

Are you or a loved one addicted to gambling? Look for warning signs and symptoms and learn how to quit.

By Jeanne Segal, PhD, Melinda Smith, MS, and Lawrence Robinson

• What is gambling addiction and problem gambling?
• Signs and symptoms of gambling addiction
• Self-help for gambling addiction
• How to stop gambling for good
• Confronting the urge to gamble
• Treatment for gambling addiction
• How to help someone stop gambling
• Things to watch out for in a partner of a gambler

What is gambling addiction and problem gambling?

Gambling addiction can happen to anyone from any walk of life. Gambling can go from a fun, harmless pastime to an unhealthy obsession with serious consequences. Whether it's sports, scratch cards, roulette, poker, or slots, whether it's a casino, racetrack, or online, gambling addiction can damage relationships, interfere with work, and lead to financial ruin. It can even lead to people doing things they never thought possible, like getting into huge debts or stealing money to gamble.

Gambling addiction, also known as pathological gambling, compulsive gambling disorder, or obsessive gambling, is an impulse control disorder. When you have a compulsive gambling problem, you cannot control your urge to gamble, even when it negatively impacts yourself or your loved ones. You continue to gamble no matter what the consequences are, even if you know the odds are against you, even if you know you can’t afford to lose.

Of course, you can have a gambling problem without having complete control. A gambling problem is when you gamble in a way that interferes with your life. If you spend time and money on gambling, chase losses, and gamble despite the serious impact it has on your life, then you have a gambling addiction.

Gambling addiction or problem gambling is often associated with other behavioral and mood disorders. Many problem gamblers also suffer from substance abuse problems, uncontrolled ADHD, anxiety, depression, stress, or bipolar disorder. Overcoming a gambling problem requires addressing these and other underlying causes.

You may feel powerless to stop gambling, but there is a lot you can do to overcome the problem, repair your relationships and finances, and ultimately regain control of your life. The first step is to separate the myths and facts about gambling addiction: To have a gambling addiction, you have to gamble every day.

Myths and Facts about Gambling Problems

Myth:

Successful players may play frequently or rarely play. If gambling causes a problem, gambling is a problem.

Fact:

Problem gambling is not a problem if the gambler can withstand it.

Myth:

The problem caused by excessive gambling is not only financial. Too long time spent on gambling can lead to human relationships, legal issues, unemployment, mental health such as depression and anxiety, and even suicide.

Fact:

Gambling addiction does not mean that you are weak, irresponsible, or understandable.

Myth:

Gambling addiction affects all intelligence levels and people in all backgrounds. Previously, you have a sense of responsibility, and those who were strong could be gambling addiction as others.

Fact:

Problem gamblers often use loved ones to gamble.

Myth:

Problem gamblers often try to rationalize their actions. To blame others is to avoid being responsible for your own actions, including what you need to overcome the problem.

Fact:

If a problematic player makes debt, you should help it.

Myth:

Immediate solutions may seem right. However, rescue players from debt can worsen the situation and continue gambling problems.

Fact:

Gambling addiction is sometimes called "hidden disease" because there are no obvious physical signs or symptoms such as drugs and alcoholism. Gambling addiction usually denies the problem or minimize even to himself. However, in the following cases, it may be gambling addiction:

Gambling addiction signs and symptoms

It is necessary to keep gambling secret. You may feel that you are not understood by others, or you want to win a big victory, you may play secretly, or lie about your bet.

It is difficult to control gambling. If I start gambling, can I leave from the place? Or do you have to increase your betting money to regain your losing money and gamble until you use the last dollar?

Gamble without money. You can bet on the last one dollar until you use up the last $ 1, and then move to an invoice, credit card, child's thing, etc., to do not have money. You may want to borrow, sell, or steal things for gambling money.

Family and friends are worried. Denial will keep your problem gambling going. If your friends and family are worried, listen carefully. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Many older gamblers are reluctant to reach out to their adult children if they have gambled away their inheritance, but it's not too late to change for the better.

BetterHelp is an online therapy service that connects you to licensed, certified therapists who can help with a variety of issues, including depression, anxiety, and relationships. You will be evaluated and matched with a therapist in as little as 48 hours.

Speak to a Licensed Therapist

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Help guides are supported by our users. If you click through this site and sign up for BetterHelp's services, we will earn a commission. Learn moreThe biggest step in overcoming a gambling problem is admitting that you have a problem, especially if you have lost a lot of money and relationships have been strained or broken. Don't despair or try to do it alone. There are many people in your situation who have kicked the habit and rebuilt their lives. You can do it too.

Self-help for gambling problems

Learn to relieve unpleasant emotions in healthier ways. Do you gamble when you feel lonely or bored? Or after a stressful day at work or an argument with your spouse? Gambling is a way to relieve unpleasant emotions, relax, and socialize. But there are healthier, more effective ways to manage your mood and fight boredom, such as exercising, spending time with non-gambling friends, taking up a new hobby, and practicing relaxation techniques.

Strengthen your support network. Fighting addiction without support is hard, so reach out to friends and family. If your support network is limited, there are ways to make new friends that don't involve resorting to casinos or online gambling. Ask coworkers at work, join a sports team or book club, sign up for an education class, or volunteer for a cause.

Join a peer support group. Gamblers Anonymous, for example, is a 12-step recovery program modeled after alcoholism. A key part of the program is finding a sponsor. Sponsors are experienced former gamblers who are free from addiction and can provide valuable guidance and support.

Receive the underlying mood disorders. Depression, stress, drug abuse, and anxiety can cause gambling problems and can deteriorate due to obsessive gambling. Even if gambling is no longer part of your life, these problems will not disappear, so it is important to deal with them.

For many problem gamblers, the biggest challenge is not to stop gambling, but to continue recovery, that is, to be forever from gambling. The Internet makes gambling more familiar, making it more difficult for recovered addictive patients to avoid recurrence. Online casinos and bookmakers are open all day every day for anyone who can access smartphones and computers. However, maintaining recovery from gambling and gambling addiction is surrounded by people who can be responsible, avoiding tempted environments and websites, abandoning money management (at least), and in life. If you find a healthy activity to replace gambling, you are still possible.

How to stop gambling for good

One way to quit gambling is to remove the things you need to incorporate gambling into your life and replace it with a healthier choice. The four elements required to continue gambling are as follows:

Making healthier choices

Decision: To gamble, you need to make a decision to gamble. If you are driven by an impulse: Stop what you are doing now, call someone, think about the results of your actions, tell yourself to stop thinking about gambling, and find something else immediately.

Money: Gambling cannot be done without money. Dispose of credit cards, leave money to someone, ask the bank for automatic payment, close the online betting account, so that you can carry only a limited amount of cash.

Time: Online gambling cannot be done without time. Let's plan a fun recreation time that has nothing to do with gambling. If you are gambling with a smartphone, find another way to fill the quiet time of the day.

Game: If you don't have any games or activities to bet, you don't have a chance to play. Don't be in a temptation environment. Tell the gambling facilities that you often go to tell you that there is a problem with gambling and have them restricted. Delete gambling apps on smartphones and personal computers and block gambling sites.

In order to maintain a recovery from gambling addiction, it is important to find actions to replace gambling. Here are some examples:

Finding alternatives to gambling

Reasons for gambling

Example of alternative behavior	Get your adrenaline pumping.
Play sports or challenging hobbies like mountain biking, rock climbing, or go-kart racing.	Become more social and overcome shyness and loneliness.
Seek counseling, take public speaking classes, join social groups, connect with family and friends, volunteer, or find new friends.	Numb unpleasant emotions.
Try therapy or use the Utility's free emotional intelligence tools.	Fill the void of loneliness.
Find something you're passionate about, like art, music, sports, or books, and find peers who share your interests.	Unwind after a stressful day.
Just 15 minutes of exercise each day can help relieve stress. Deep breathing, meditation, and massages can also help.	Solve money problems.
Since the odds are always stacked against you, it's much better to seek debt help from a credit counselor.	It's normal to have urges to gamble, but it's easier to resist them if you make healthier choices and build a strong support network. If you feel the urge to gamble, avoid isolation. Call a trusted family member, go for coffee with a friend, or attend a Players Anonymous meeting.

Dealing with gambling cravings

Postpone gambling. Tell yourself you will wait for 5 minutes, 15 minutes, an hour. While you wait, the urge to gamble may pass or become weak enough to resist.

Visualize what it would be like if you gave up gambling. Think about how you would feel after all your money is gone and you have disappointed yourself and your family again.

Distract yourself with another activity, such as going to the gym, watching a movie, or doing relaxation exercises, to suppress the urge to gamble.

If you cannot resist the urge to gamble, don't blame yourself too much or use it as an excuse to stop gambling. Overcoming a gambling addiction is a difficult process. You will fail from time to time. The important thing is to learn from your failures and keep working towards recovery.

Overcoming a gambling addiction is never easy, and receiving professional treatment does not mean you are weak or unable to deal with the problem. However, it is important to remember that each gambling addict is unique and needs a rehabilitation program tailored to your needs and situation. Talk to your doctor or mental health professional about different treatment options, including:

Coping with lapses

Inpatient or residential treatment and rehabilitation programs. These programs are for people with severe gambling problems who cannot stop gambling without 24-hour support.

Gambling addiction treatment

Treatment of underlying diseases that cause chemical abuse, depression, anxiety disorder, obsessiv e-compulsive disorder, and mental health problems such as ADHD. This includes treatment, drug therapy, and lifestyle changes. Gambling addiction can be a symptom of bipolar disorder, so doctors and therapists may need to exclude it before diagnosing.

Cognitive behavioral therapy. Gambling addiction CBT focuses on changing unhealthy gambling behavior and thinking, such as rationalization and incorrect beliefs. You can also teach gambling and how to solve the finances, problems, and human relationships caused by gambling. Therapy provides a means of dealing with lifelong addiction.

Family therapy, marriage, career, credit counseling. By receiving these counseling, you can solve specific problems caused by gambling problems and build the foundation for restoring human relationships and economic conditions.

If your beloved person becomes gambling addiction, you probably have many conflicting emotions. You may have spent a lot of time and energy so that your loved ones do not gamble or protect their loved ones. At the same time, you may be furious about gambling, and you may be tired of making it inconspicuous. Your beloved person may be borrowing or stealing money without returning. You may be selling family belongings or borrowing a large amount of money with a joint credit card.

Advotable gamblers and problem gamblers need the support of family and friends in the fight to stop gambling, but it is necessary to decide to stop. Even if you want to stop gambling or want to stop gambling, you can't stop gambling. However, you can encourage you to ask for help, support your efforts, protect yourself, and talk seriously about suicide.

How to help someone stop gambling

The problem gambler is overwhelmingly reduced in the face of the results of his own actions. This is one of the reasons for the compulsive gambler suicide rate.

If you think your beloved person feels suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) or find your country's suicide helpline from a friend around the world. Please please.

Preventing suicide in problem gamblers

Let's start by helping yourself. You have the right to protect yourself, mentally and economically. Don't blame yourself for gambler issues or control your life in addiction. Ignoring your desires is a source of exhaustion.

Please do not hold it alone. You may be overwhelmed by dealing with your beloved gambling addiction, and it may seem easier to rationalize the request that this is the last. Or, you may feel ashamed of yourself, having such a problem. A supporting approach realizes that many families are fighting this problem.

Four tips for family members:

1. Provide restrictions on money management. Consider taking over your household budget to take responsibility and prevent recurrence. However, this does not mean that the gambler is responsible for managing the urge to bet on gamblers. Your first responsibilities are to prevent your own household and trust from being dangerous.
2. Consider how to deal with money. Problemed players are often good at demanding money directly or indirectly. In some cases, referrals, operations, or threats to get money. You need to practice to prevent your favorite game from being addicted.
3. When you are calm and calm, talk to your partner about the problematic gambling and its ending.
4. Seek support. For example, a self-help group for gambler families such as GAM-Anon will introduce people who are facing the same disability.

Do’s and don’ts for partners of problem gamblers

Do…

• Explain to your partner that gambling is affecting you and your family and seeking help.
• Talk to your child about your partner's gambling problem.
• Manage your household budget and look closely at banks and credit card statements.
• Treatment of gambling addiction takes a long time and can be frustrated, but encourage and support loved ones.
• Stop what you can't follow, such as shor t-hearted, preaching, preaching, threats and final reminders.
• Make a good point of your partner.

Don’t…

• It hinders partners from participating in family life and activities.
• We hope that the recovery from partner gambling addiction will be smooth or easy. Stopping gambling can cause other fundamental problems.
• He takes over his partner's debt and depends on gambling.
• Hide or deny your partner's problems with yourself and others.
• In the United States, the National Council On Computing Gaming (US Gambling Administration Council) has a 24-hour confidential helpline for 1-800-522-4700 for a problematic gambling addiction patient or his family. We provide you.
• GAMCARE in the UK offers support and helpline at 0808 8020 133.

Hotlines and support groups

• The Australian Gambling Help Online offers a 2 4-hour helpline at 1800 858 858.
• The Canadian dependence and mental health center offers resources and helplines (1-866-531-2600).
• Internationally, Gamblers Anonymous provides 12-step support meetings for gambling addiction, and Gam-Anon's support for families with gambling addiction. Is provided.