Problem Gambling | Gambling Clan

Gambling Addiction Brings Heartache

Many people consider addiction something that is hard to deal with, while others think that it is something that the addict could give up whenever they wanted to. Many people see the addictive qualities of drugs and other substances, but they do not always realize that gambling can be just as addicting.

Within the brain, the receptors for pleasure releasing serotonin is what makes the addict addicted. The more that they have that release of pleasure sensation in the brain, the more that they require in order to just feel normal. Some people start out just gambling once in awhile for a few minutes and then eventually find themselves gambling away an entire paycheck or sitting there all day long in the casino just hoping to win it big. when they do win, often they will just keep on gambling because they love the sensation of excitement that they get as they wait in anticipation of whether or not they will win.

When it comes to addiction, most people find that they will make better progress when they are in a twelve step program or have the help of a professional. Often, an addict cannot overcome their addiction on their own. They will relapse but improve over time.

If you find that you or someone you care about are not able to stop gambling, and will even gamble to the point of risking financial stability or turn to uncharacteristic behavior just to gamble, then they may need professional help.

Filed Under: Games, Technology Tagged With: Gambling, Problem gambling, Twelve-step program

Dealing With a Gambling Addiction

There are few among us that have not gambled at one time or another, whether by playing bingo at church or playing blackjack in Las Vegas. There is quite a thrill at winning on a bet of any kind, and a little gambling is certainly not going to undermine anyone’s life. However, for some, gambling becomes a serious addiction that can be every bit as difficult to overcome as a drug or alcohol addiction.

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Everyone is at risk for a gambling addiction; it is not more prevalent in any one sector of the populace than another. Any age, gender, education, income, ethnicity or social class can become a compulsive gambler.

It can be difficult to spot if one of your loved ones has an addiction. Some of the clues to watch for are those that have unaccounted blocks of time, borrow money often, miss work or school often, boast often about winning, or neglect certain responsibilities. If you need help dealing with a family member that has a gambling problem, it might be helpful to go to a Gam-Anon meeting. Information is available on their website.

If you are afraid you may have a gambling addiction, you can go to the Gamblers Anonymous website and read through their twenty questions. If you answer yes to at least seven of the twenty, then you should seek help. They list the various meeting locations throughout the country and they have a national hot-line number you can call for help.

There are about 15 million people that have a gambling addiction, so know that you are not alone. There is help.

Filed Under: Games Tagged With: Gambling, Las Vegas Nevada, Problem gambling

Taking the Addict out of the Gambler

As an adult, you are free to make your own decisions. You can travel, buy a house, have kids and spend your money however you please. However, when it comes to spending money, gambling can be a very detrimental hobby. Some people will spend every last dollar they have gambling and then rack up thousands of dollars more of debt because they can’t stop. They are always looking to hit the big jackpot, so all of their problems will be solved. This rarely happens and many people become gambling addicts.

When someone has a gambling problem they are controlled by the urge to play slots, cards or whatever their game of choice is. This means that other aspects of their life like work, family and friends become neglected. It seems near impossible to save them from themselves. The best way to stop the cycle is to convince them that they need professional help.

There are many rehab centers, hot-lines and therapists out there which offer a second chance to people with gambling addictions. It can be a long and hard process to help someone you care about stop gambling, but it is worth every second. Money tends to be a cause of great stress among families and individuals alike and gambling only worsens the situation.

Many recovering addicts can offer wonderful advice on how to kick the habit. At the very least, they can share their stories to help people who have a gambling problem realize that they are heading in the wrong direction. The key to helping someone you care about is to realize that it is never too late and there are plenty of people willing to assist in recovery.

Filed Under: Games Tagged With: Gambling, Problem gambling, Substance dependence

Being There for a Loved One Rehabilitating From Gambling Addiction

Many times, before someone you love seeks help for their gambling addiction they have hurt not only you but others. In many cases, they have spent so much money to feed their habit that they have put their family members and loved ones in a very difficult spot of poverty that is hard to get out of. It will definitely be hard to trust the person that you love again but you will need to be there for them if they have any change of recovering.

It is important to remember that they understand that they have an addiction and that they are working to live a normal life. The first step of admitting that you have a problem is always the hardest and more difficult to overcome because people do not want to admit that there is something that is out of their control. If they have made step to seek help they are doing alot more than others like them and you need to be supportive.

While they are in therapy for their addiction they will be learning a new way of life. For anyone with an addiction they will need a time to adjust to life without their habit. There will be times that they will struggle and you will need to be there for them. If you and your loved one commonly gambled together, then you will both need to stop the habit. In many cases, an addict can never start the behavior again for fear of relapse. You both will need to change your life and start again without gambling being a part of it.

It is expected that you will be hurt and angry. In so many ways they let you down by putting their addictio before you. You have every right to feel the way that you are feeling but you cannot continue to hold it against them for the remainder of their lives. They will come to understand all the ways that they have hurt you and let you down without you reminding them. It is time to start over.

Filed Under: Games, General Tagged With: Gambling, Mental health, Problem gambling

Diseases that Mimic Gambling Addiction

If someone you love is spending large sums of money on gambling and betting then you have every right to suspect that they have a gambling addiction. However, if they are spending money in erratic bursts or their behavior is linked with other symptoms then they may have something else wrong with them entirely.

Several medications have side effects that cause compulsive gambling. Diseases like Parkinson’s and Restless Leg Syndrom are both treated with medications that can make a person complusive and begin to gamble. In cases of gambling addiction the behavior started and became worse over time. If the person you love has just started to show signs of the behavior and the signs were linked with when they started the medication then you need to speak with their doctor about getting them taken off the medications.

There are several mental diseases like schizophrenia and bi polarism that have symptoms of complusive behavior like gambling. Many people are not diagnosed properly or who do not take their medications regularly can exhibit compulsive behavior like excessive gambling. However, the behavior will stop when they go back on their medication. In both cases, the mental disorder has other symptoms than just compulsive spending. Many times, a person who is addicted to gambling will display the same behavior for an extended period of time. Their addiction will start as a simple hobby and grow to something more substantial as time goes on. They may display other behavior but it will be much worse it will be constant not during a manic state. If the person you love is suffering from a mental disorder they will not be acting like themselves and they will become angry or agitated for no reason. A doctor and psychiatrist can work together with your loved one to see what the real problem is. It is important that the person that you love is diagnosed correctly so that the appropriate treatment options can begin right away.

Filed Under: Games, General Tagged With: Compulsive behavior, Gambling, Problem gambling

Help With Gambling Addiction

If you have realized that you are addicted to gambling are a compulsive gambler and you are ready to seek treatment then you need to select the program that is out there for you.

The most common type of treatment is to attend Gamblers Anonymous. Gamblers Anonymous is a great option because treatment does not have to end at a certain time. You can continue to go to the meetings as long as you live. There are people in the treatment program who are suffering from the same thing that you are going through, which can make recovering easier. You will also be given a sponsor who you can contact at any time day or night that will help you cope with your addiction. Gamblers Anonymous is very similar to Alcoholics Anonymous in that the program is set up with twelve steps towards recovery.

You may also decide to decide to seek cognitive therapy. A psychiatrist will help you understand you addiction and help you restructure you life without gambling being the main focus. You will learn to manage your money as well as managing your free time so that you are not drawn back into gambling. You will have to work with your therapist to learn a new lifestyle that does not involved holding meetings or get togethers around gambling.

There are also several medications that are linked to helping manage gambling addiction. The medication work within your brain so that the high that you feel from gambling is no longer there. The urge to gamble is less intense. However, the medications are not a cure. It is advised that the medications are used with another form of treatment to be fully effective. The medications may also adverse side effects and you will need to speak with your doctor before taking them.

Filed Under: Games, General Tagged With: Alcoholics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, Mental health, Problem gambling, Twelve-step program

How to Tell If You Are Addicted to Gambling

Image by Ed Yourdon via Flickr

Gambling is one of the large industries in the world. There are thousands of ways that people gamble, some even gamble on a daily basis. We bet of the outcome or a sports team, a game of cards, we can bet each other over stupid things like who sings a song on the radio or if it will snow. However, for many, gambling has become more than just a past time it is a way of life that is taking over their whole lives. If you are worried that your love of gambling as not become an addiction here are some signs:

First, are you having to ask for more and more to cover your gambling habit or debts? Are you having to lie to others about where you are getting the money? Have you found yourself selling or financing items to pay for your habit? Are you considering committing a crime to finance your debt? If you are doing any of these things then you have a problem.

Have you tried to quit gambling before and have been unable to stop. Do you get irritated and angry when you are forced to give up gambling? Have you ever tried to stop and have found that you cannot? In many cases, people who are addicted are so hooked on the high that they get from wondering if they are going to win and then actually winning, that they crave that over and over. If you feel that way, then you need to seek treatment.

Have to started to miss important events in the lives of loved ones because you were gambling? Have you hurt anyone that love emotionally because you put a card game or an internet game before something that meant a lot to them? If you have then you need to seek help.

Filed Under: Games, General Tagged With: Disorders, Gambling, Impulse Control, Problem gambling