Gambling can become an addiction just like drugs and alcohol. The only way to get a handle on this type of addition is to seek help. Keep reading to find out some ways to get help for yourself or another who is struggling with gambling.
Signs of Gambling Addiction
It is not uncommon for someone to gamble, especially if you are vacationing in Las Vegas or Atlantic City. Gambling in a casino is one of those things that most people want to try once.
You may notice that the machines are brightly lit and the tables are sparkling. This is all to attract the eye. People like shiny things. As you sit at the slots or go to the blackjack table, be prepared. Know how much money you are prepared to spend before you come to the table. It is all too easy to spend all the money in your pocket to recoup a loss or increase a win.
If you don’t believe that, try a slot machine. Even a penny slot can sap all of your money without you realizing that you are constantly feeding the machine. It can be a scary experience once you realize what you have done. But, gamblers with an addiction don’t reach that point. Instead, they use self-deception to delude themselves into thinking that they will stop when they get enough money. That point never seems to come.
Here are a few of the signs that gambling has become more than a one-time thing.
* Constantly thinking about gambling
* More days absent from work (to gamble)
* Irritability when they can’t gamble
* Shirking responsibilities to go to the casino
* Lying to family and friends to get money
* Things are missing around the house (the gambler has sold them for cash)
* Financial problems (the gambler has dipped into household funds for their habit)
* More days absent from work (to gamble)
* Irritability when they can’t gamble
* Shirking responsibilities to go to the casino
* Lying to family and friends to get money
* Things are missing around the house (the gambler has sold them for cash)
* Financial problems (the gambler has dipped into household funds for their habit)
A gambler will do whatever it takes to get the money they need to feed their habit. They may feel momentary remorse but it is short lived. They have lost control over their addiction and that can lead to violence and even incarceration.
Getting Help
You need help to break that addiction. Here are some resources you or a loved one can use.
* Therapy – Therapy sessions can help a gambler realize what they are doing to their family. They show the gambler concrete evidence of what they are doing to themselves and their family.
* Gamblers Anonymous – When the gambler expresses their desire to get out of their present predicament, meeting with other gamblers can help them to realize they are not alone.
* Psychiatric care – This type of therapy can consist of behavioral modification or cognitive behavioral therapy to help fight the urge to gamble.
Getting help for gambling addiction is not easy. It requires a commitment from you, your family and friends to be there for support and tough love.
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