gambling addiction
Gambling addiction or compulsive gambling is characterized by playing beyond one’s means, often incurring large debts or destroying the family’s financial security. Problem gamblers chase the next big win despite all evidence that gambling is destroying their lives. They often describe a high that comes from gambling that they crave when not gambling.
Posted under Gambling
Gambling Addiction Relapse – Steps to Take Now
So you’ve fallen off the wagon, so to speak, and gone back to gambling. This isn’t the end of the world, although it feels like a major setback. Experts in treating gambling addiction say that relapse is common – but you can learn valuable lessons from it and come out stronger on the other side.
Learn to Identify Triggers
When relapse occurs, it’s due to some type of trigger or stimuli that you react to. These stimuli may be places where you always went to gamble, or people you associated with during gambling. It could be the emotional state of mind you were in or the thoughts you had at the time that triggers your repetition of ritualistic gambling behavior patterns. You need to identify these relapse triggers and the accompanying intense emotions they create before you can do anything about them. Continue Reading
Posted under Gambling
Gambling Addiction Among Teens
According to the Institute for Research on Gambling Disorders, anywhere from 2 to 7 percent of adolescents have a gambling problem, compared to about 1 percent of adults. Natalie Bailey of Chicago’s Medill Reports writes that this could mean that an estimated 500,000 teens nationwide are caught in a gambling web.
Posted under Gambling
How Problem Gambling Affects The Family
When there’s a problem or compulsive gambler in the family, more than just the gambler is negatively affected. The entire family suffers as a result of the behavior and thinking of the gambling addict. How each family is impacted depends on the severity of the gambling problem, how long it has gone on, the closeness of the relationship with the gambler and other factors. Serious financial, psychological, emotional, social and legal problems may completely undermine family functioning to the point of collapse.
The negative effects of problem or compulsive gambling on the family are widespread in this country. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, an estimated 2 million U.S. adults (1 percent of the population) are compulsive or pathological gamblers. Another estimated 4 to 6 million (2 to 3 percent) can be considered problem gamblers. An estimated one-third (35 percent) of adult problem gamblers have children at home under the age of 18.
Let’s examine some of the ways that gambling affects the family.
Financial
Out-of-control gambling and repeated gambling losses take a tremendous toll on the family finances. Well-meaning family members, usually the spouse of the gambler, often try to “help” the gambler by lending them money, bailing them out of financial difficulties, paying their bills, helping them to stash money to gamble, and other behaviors related to providing money to the gambler. This is classic enabling and does no good either for the gambler or his or her family.
Ultimately, the financial losses become too great. The home may be forced into foreclosure. The family may have to declare bankruptcy. When bills can’t be paid because the gambler has squandered all the money on chasing the losses, more than just money is at stake. The provider can no longer provide, and everyone suffers.
Signs of financial difficulties related to gambling include the following:
• Financial statements go missing
• Calls from creditors
• Mounting debt
• Unexplained cash advances on credit cards
• Assets disappear from the home
• Bank accounts drained
• Sudden, unexpected bills
• New loans taken out
• Money for bills used for gambling
Posted under Gambling
Gambling Addicts at High Risk for Suicidal Tendencies
There appears to be a strong relationship between gambling and suicide when addiction is involved. A study by the National Addictions Management Service (Nams), run by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), found that more than one in ten people with a gambling addiction also have suicidal tendencies.
Posted under Gambling
From Poker to Pathology: When Gambling Becomes an Addiction
Gambling can be an enjoyable activity, especially when done in the midst of glitzy resorts and action-packed casinos; in fact, Las Vegas consistently remains one of the most visited cities in America year after year. Gambling has been a popular pastime for many centuries, and has provided towns and cities with much-needed revenue. In fact, gambling can even reap financial rewards on occasion.
However, like with most activities, a gambling habit can quickly turn into a debilitating addiction – one that’s capable of ruining your finances, relationships, and even your life. Continue Reading
The Addiction Primer
Everything you need to know to help a loved one struggling with addiction, from the writers and editors of Everything Addiction.
