Dealing with gambling addiction

Warning signs of a gambling addict and how to prevent or stop gambling addiction.

Gambling is hot. It’s not just the casino games like Poker, Russian roulette and Blackjack that have captured our fancy. People gamble on sporting events, play the lottery and engage in many other gambling-type activities. In general, most people gamble for a little bit of fun and excitement. It’s not a problem them for them. However, there are some – and their numbers are growing – that are addicted to gambling just like an alcoholic is addicted to alcohol or a food addict to food.

Gambling isn’t all fun and games for the gambling addict and the people who are closest to them. Pathological or Addictive Gambling is a progressive disease in which a person has an uncontrollable impulse to gamble. Some of the behaviors that a “pathological” or addicted gambler may exhibit include:

2) An increase in funds used to gamble i.e., the person will need to use more money when they gamble process to get their “fix”.

3) Exhibits tension, restlessness, irritability, depression or any other negative feelings and reactions when he/she tries to stop gambling.

4) Gambling to avoid feeling depression or guilt and other negative emotions or tensions in their life. This may also cause their relationships to suffer and the gambler may lie about his or her activities.

5) The addicted gambler may also lose relationships, jobs or other significant things in his or her life due to their behavior. The person may have need of significant amounts of money to recoup losses and the individual will be almost obsessive about ‘breaking even.’

6) One final tell of this addictive behavior would be that an addicted gambler will also try to curb or control their gambling unsuccessfully.

It may be difficult for the individual to admit to their condition and they may be embarrassed or unwilling to receive help. The good news, however, is that Compulsive Gambling is a treatable condition if the gambler wants to get better. Any treatment, which generally includes extensive counseling, must be entered into honestly and with the true desire to work through the behavior.

In order to cope with the condition, the individual may enter a treatment program that will include psychotherapy and perhaps a stay in a residential treatment facility. The person will have to learn new techniques to handle tension, i.e., coping mechanisms. They may be able to begin with some strategies aimed at controlling their gambling if the condition has not progressed very far.

These include:

Gambling in the company of others

sticking to a budget and not exceeding that NO

MATTER WHAT.

Engaging in a non-gambling activity which brings the individual gratification.

Developing a support network of friends and family who they can talk to when they need to.

In fact, family and friends can be instrumental in this process. They must work hard not to enable the gambler – help him or her either directly or indirectly continue on the path of addiction. They must also not blame the person for his or her problem. It only makes the situation worse. They should be supportive but not in the sense that they lend money or allow the individual to continue on their self-destructive path.

If all else fails, the individual may decide to give up the addictive behavior completely. This is best done with professional help and support. Gamblers Anonymous, a 12-Step Program, much like Alcoholics and Overeaters Anonymous, offers the “one day at a time” approach and requires that the individual abstain from the compulsive behavior of gambling.

Therefore, if you suspect that you or someone you love has a problem with well, problem gambling, you should honestly assess why the behavior is so addictive. What is it that you’re trying to escape from? Don’t be afraid to seek help or help your loved ones. Compulsive gambling is an addiction that can be treated with compassion, hard work and support.