Getting Help

While gambling is a fun past time for some, it is an addiction for others. If you can not afford to lose, then you can not afford to play. Beware of all gambling systems that promised you instant riches. There are no sure things. Gamble only at your own risk.

Alcohol and Gambling Addictions

A gambling addiction is as debilitating as an alcohol or drug addiction. People are less aware and have less understanding about gambling as an addiction, then they do to an alcohol or drug problem. Support groups for gambling addition offer a 12-step approach just like alcohol and other addictions. The individual is required to admit that he or she is genuinely addicted. While gambling addiction may not grab as many headlines as drug or alcohol addiction its social costs can be equally as devastating. Depression or alcohol abuse typically accompanies gambling addiction, and it is frequently hard to tell which came first. It is important to understand that gambling addiction is just as real, and its consequences just as tragic, as alcohol or drug abuse. Unlike substance abuse, though, a gambling addiction is often tough to identify .

Treatment

The methods used in the treatment of gambling addiction are the same as those used in the treatment of other addictions. Without treatment, not even the fear of a parole violation will suffice to intercept the gambling addiction. Although some elements of treatment for traditional addictions apply to gambling addiction, the treatment model for traditional addictions is insufficient for treating pathological gambling. Public funding for research and treatment into gambling addiction remains pitifully low. According to the Mayo Clinic, treatment for compulsive gambling is similar to therapies for other forms of addiction. 40 percent of the people who come in for gambling treatment have committed crimes to feed their addiction. Treatment using a combination of different types of therapy will effectively help you with your gambling addiction. The treatment of a gambling addiction is mainly focused on helping the patient to stop gambling. 

Extensive therapy, preferably in groups, is the only way to treat gambling addiction. And the best way to cure treat gambling addiction is to lessen the chances of playing. In reality, there are available measures and methods to treat gambling addiction. Research has shown that teenagers are three times more likely to develop a gambling addiction than adults. This includes providing training and screening tools to help social service agencies identify and treat gambling addiction.  

Problem

Most people who wager don't have an addiction problem. Other people don't meet the diagnostic criteria for gambling addiction but are considered problem gamblers. Most psychologists contend that the problem of gambling addiction is often associated with a problem on their cognitive behavior. It is important to note that a given individual often alternates or substitutes from among a variety of addictions, including problem drinking and gambling. 

Internet

Is internet gambling legal? Yes, and it can be even more addictive and go on for years without anyone knowing about it simply because it can be done in the privacy of one's home. Online casino gambling addiction affects many thousands of individuals and is not confined to any one type or group of people. And it can lead to other forms of addiction including pornography.

Stop

Inability to stop gambling and continuing to gamble despite negative consequences are also characteristics of gambling addiction. A gambling addiction is a serious thing and often difficult to stop. A compulsive gambler Is anxious and irritable when attempting to stop gambling, just as other forms of addiction withdrawal symptoms. Stop your gambling addiction and stop gambling your life away. 

Group

Attending a recovery support group can be very supportive in breaking your gambling addiction, but there are drawbacks. In group therapy, you're able to tap into the advice, feedback and support from other people on how to deal with a gambling addiction. 

Chemical

Because there is no chemical or substance, gambling is an invisible addiction. Dopamine is a strong chemical that controls behavior, which may in fact indicate that a gambling addiction is an impulse-controlling disorder. Pathological gambling has been recognized as a major addiction illness, similar in many ways to the chemical dependency of cocaine. Biological findings from a recent study indicate that pathological gambling is an addiction similar to chemical addiction. More resources are available to chemical dependency than gambling addiction, in part because most people do not perceive gambling as potentially addicting. 

Family

With gambling addiction, gamblers just don't lose money but life and family as well. Courses on marital relationships, effective communication, family relation- ships, assertiveness training and household budgeting are appropriate in educating about gambling addiction. You may have a gambling addiction if you take time from work and family life to gamble. Pathological gambling, or gambling addiction can be detrimental not only to the addicted gambler but also to his/her family. 

Statistics

About two per cent of adults have serious gambling addictions; the statistics are as high as eight per cent for teenagers. There are no national statistics on suicides and attempted suicides related to gambling addiction.

The Impact of Gaming

The social costs of gambling addictions are severe, but gaming is meant to be entertainment for adults. In a world where the profits from government gaming operations are almost $13 billion nationally, the costs of gambling addiction remain known. If you believe that your gambling has become uncontrollable and is negatively impacting your life, your livelihood, or your family, then seek help.

Gamblers Anonymous can help you to recognize the symptoms of your gambling addiction, and work with you each day to help you to accept it and control it. For more information, please visit their web site by clicking the link below: