Since time immemorial, gambling has found itself in our everyday life and many cultures have made it an official leisure activity. The growth of the industry over time has turned the activity into one of the most lucrative businesses anywhere across the globe. Government friendly business policies bring the game even closer to potential clients through online gaming and mobile platforms.
Gambling seems to be giving most of its advantages to revenue collecting agencies at the expense of the gambler who unknowingly suffers gambling addiction. Gambling is an activity presenting an illusion of quick money, yet it may drive you to financial ruin. Regardless of how you look at it, the gambling odds are in favor of the establishment. Gambling starts as the need to satisfy something deep inside your body; here are some signs to look out for.
Signs of Gambling Addiction
Generally, gambling is like a hidden activity and some habits can describe if you are an addict or a player.
1. You hide when gambling
Gambling should be a fun activity and the moment you find a “safe” haven to continue playing, you are becoming an addict. You may go to the point where you have to lie to your family on how much activity you take part in. The aspect of lying could be compulsive because you assume that sharing with them cannot make them understand. You may be hoping that one day you will share a big payout with them.
2. Failing to know when to stop
Most casino websites remind players to stop gambling when they feel it is the right time. You will find yourself failing to follow the guidance only to spend so much that other areas in life are getting a raw deal. An addict will call for a stake without questioning how the outcome will affect their lives.
3. Playing when broke
The moment you have spent your last coin and still have the compulsion to keep playing, you are deep into gambling addiction. Such actions will leave you in debt and fail to support the critical areas of your life.
How to Deal with Gambling Addiction
Like any other compulsive ailments, gambling is curable by changing your habits and thinking of the positive aspects of life. Try the following habits and note any changes in your habits.
Understand your problem
A compulsive disorder like gambling has many triggers, which possibly are boredom, anxiety, stress, depression, etc.; gambling addiction relies on the release of the happy hormone in your body. The hormone helps addicts unwind and cope with resulting emotions. The problem with the approach of switching a bad habit for another may prove detrimental to your wellbeing.
The moment you have a trigger, look for a better rewarding activity instead of placing your health on the line. Try a new hobby that requires your full attention and not as indulging as gambling. Enroll for a workout, yoga, and massage session because of their positive effects that will leave you in the right frame of mind.
Find a support group
Many support groups that seek to support gambling addicts are on the rise. You can join a group and listen to what others, before you did, to recover. Learn from their experiences and challenges when they were trying to handle the effects of gambling addiction.
Identify hobbies
Forget about gambling, expand positive friend circles, and start getting into activity sports, home visits, and any activity that does not require your stake at any point. Activities like football, tennis, chess, volleyball, netball, etc. should keep your mind off gaming.
Different Types of Gambling Addiction
The diverse nature of gambling activities makes it difficult for anyone to know when addiction sets in. Gambling addiction can occur; you know you are in financial ruin and gambling is the only hope to take your misery away. Continuous belief in this leads to a cycle where you feel like the more you retry, you will recover your losses.
The other type of gambling addiction occurs when you place risky bets to gain an emotional high associated with huge risk-taking. The desire to stop always presents itself, but your desire to continue is unstoppable.
Any Self-Assessment for a gambling Addict
Perform a self-analysis with a question like, “what if I stop gambling today what will happen?” If anxiety follows this question, you are suffering from gambling addiction. However, if you not sure how you feel, make a call to the nearest help center and talk to someone.
Conclusion
Trying to quit gambling activities is not an easy thing to do. The best approach to your recovery is to seek assistance from a professional. Gambling addiction is not an easy disorder to identify in the early stages. Most casinos have put in place measures to help curb compulsive gambling by limiting and freezing player accounts when they think you have reached a spending limit.