Most often gambling addicts refuse to admit they are sick, although they clearly have troubles meeting the monthly bills, finding money to gamble, they get nervous after losing the game or constantly complain about the games being rigged.
Statistics show that almost 80 percent of adults gamble at least once a year and gambling appears to be a totally harmless form of entertainment for most of them. However, for 1 percent of the population, gambling becomes a lot more than enjoyment, but rather a life style, an obsession, a refuge, very soon turning into a serious problem. At this phase problem gambling begins to interfere with the person’s daily life having a negative impact on psychological, physical, social or vocational aspects.
The psychologists Onlinecasinoportal.net consulted on this matter agreed upon seven main warning signs or symptoms that show a person’s gambling disorder. They should be carefully monitored before making any precise diagnosis or initiating professional help.
The first obvious symptom is preoccupation with gambling, or better to say, a constant fixation on gambling. Invocation of some past gambling triumphs or failures, planning of the next moves, always thinking about new strategies or how to find money to continue gambling are easy to notice and all reveal excessive preoccupation.
The second symptom is escalation - that is developing a physical reaction similar to drugs addiction, manifested by a high desire to gamble, distortion of reality and increased urge to get more money. Escalation causes exaggerated excitement, psychological instability, and accelerated heart rate. Family and friends should become alarmed when the gambling addict spends all his money on gambling or even borrows money for the same purpose. Aggravation can lead to breaking the law.
Trying to stop would be the next phase. The problem gambler acknowledges the necessity to stop gambling, but many unsuccessful attempts prove the impossibility/incapability to quit and make people around realize how serious the problem really has become. It is the warning sign of a disorder. Gambling addicts’ behavior changes showing restlessness, irritability and anger especially during the periods when they try to stop their gambling habits.
Trying to escape from reality by gambling is another obvious symptom. In fact, for many gamblers, the passion and commitment for this activity compensates or covers for some other losses and personal issues. Onlinecasinoportal.net estimates that they turn to gambling in order to escape from their real problems. The excitement aroused by gambling allow people to lock in emotions they wish to forget.
Chasing after winning back losses by gambling even more is another symptom for addiction. People affected by pathological gambling become obsessed with not losing at all and have difficulties trying to accept losses as a principle in gambling. They would try to find all kind of ways to win back the lost money, which can lead them into even more serious financial troubles.
Lying to friends and family about the amount of time and money spent gambling is also symptomatic. At this phase the gambling disorder is pushed to the level of living a double life, the real one and the gaming one. The feeling of guilt and the lies increase the internal turmoil and emotional pain.
As soon as the person alienates from family, friends or career due to gambling problems, he or she clearly reached the level of pathological gambling and needs counseling and treatment. Besides, some other possible symptoms identified by Onlinecasinoportal.net should be taken into account: skipping school, preoccupation with betting results or gambling websites, selling or losing possessions, fake ID, casino entry cards, etc.
To be diagnosed with compulsive gambling, the patient must meet the symptom criteria stated in especially designed psychological tests.
It is usually difficult to convince young people they need treatment for problem gambling. Happily most counselors are youth workers with wonderful skills and experience in gambling counseling. Face to face or group sessions always work very well, but telephone/Internet counseling is also possible for people who live far from any available medical centers.
In many countries there are self-help groups, like Gambling Anonymous, who organize meetings, discussions, seminars to talk about gambling problems and encourage public confessions to treat gambling as any other addiction problem, by offering confidence, comfort and support.
Another possibility is medical treatment similar to alcohol and drugs abuse in clinics, psychiatric hospitals or addiction institutions. The patient is submitted to therapy as a particular case depending on the degree of addiction and personal behavior.
Pathological gambling presents many treatment options but also barriers. Onlinecasinoportal.net deems that many patients might feel intimidated about seeking advice or assistance for their gambling concerns. Moreover, it takes time for youth and their families to start considering gambling as a risky activity.
Gambling addiction requires time and patience. The people around the addict play a major role in the improvement, by taking subtle control over money problems, debts or any other issues and by offering considerable support during the treatment period, which can last up to 6 months.
