Recognizing the Problem of Gambling Addiction
Gamblers, like all other people who enjoy their leisure time, dream about winning some money. However, for gamblers, winning that money often involves a lot more than just sheer luck. Gambling is simply the wagering on something with an uncertain outcome and the intention of winning something else in its place. Gambling therefore requires three components to be present: risk, consideration, and a prize.
People who are suffering from a gambling problem, therefore, are not merely “lucky” because they have a problem with gambling. Instead, they are exhibiting signs of illness – a disease, if you will, that makes them vulnerable to the ill effects of compulsive gambling. Below are some of the signs of disease that may appear in people who are suffering from a gambling addiction:
A person is addicted to gambling through a pattern of repeated behavior or routine. It could be a pattern of spending a lot of money without really earning that money or it could be a series of acts, each one leading to the next. These behaviors must be systematic or continued for a long period of time to establish a regular habit. For example, a gambler may start out by playing lotteries or taking part in progressive jackpot games at casinos. After a while, he may try to win these jackpots by playing more slot machines. Eventually, he will want to bet more on horse racing, which may lead him to increase his bets on that sport and so on.
Another sign of gambling addiction is that a person becomes fixated on a certain form of activity. This could be anything from card counting to horse races. He will become fixated on that activity and not give it any attention or think about how to make his living from it. He loses interest in other activities because he has no energy left in the addiction.
One of the most dangerous forms of addictions is compulsive gambling. People suffering from this form of addiction will do anything to win gambling games and keep playing. They do this even when they are broke and suffering from the effects of gambling. If this is not stopped, this can lead to other types of addictions such as overeating or eating another substance that can be fatal. Gamblers who have been suffering from this addiction will try to win a bigger amount of money than what they already have and this will eventually lead them to the loss of their personal belongings and ending up on the streets.
Having a problem gambling addiction is a very serious issue. Addiction leads to all kinds of problems and should not be ignored or kept aside. In fact, treatment should be sought as soon as possible to get help for the problem.