How to get rid of gambling addiction?

Compulsive gambling is an addictive disorder the uncontrollable urge to keep gambling despite the toll it takes on your life.

The term “gambling” appeared in use recently, in 1970 in connection with the growth of interest in slot machines in England, which led cinemas to crisis. Psychologists continued to study this phenomenon. In the 90s of the twentieth century, there were scientific works on the subject. In 1996, an article by psychiatrist R. Vollberg was published, in which he gave terrible figures. According to his research in the USA, 5% of the population suffer from gambling addiction. This is a serious form of disease, the patients are so passionate about play that they are no longer interested in anything in life. Gambling machines have completely subdued their minds and will, and they do not see further existence without excitement.

Modern medicine equates gambling with alcohol and drug addiction, considering it a serious disease. Both children and adults are susceptible to it. And minors are easily hooked on slots and lottery. First they play for interest, and then on the parents’ money. Specialists from around the world are sounding the alarm, because every year the number of addicts to the excitement is increasing. This is due to the emergence of online casinos, access to which is open everywhere.

Symptoms of disease

To be cured from gambling addiction, you must first realize that it is a disease, not a fashionable term. Here is its symptoms are as follows:

• excessive excitement (a person cannot do work, is constantly distracted, it feels like his thoughts are in a completely different place);
  increased nervousness (the patient is nervous because he wants to play, not do other things);
• unreasonable anger (in a rush of anger, he may yell at relatives or colleagues);
• apathy (due to failures in the game a person often falls into depression, he is not interested in the environment);
• change of interests (the addict spends all his time at the computer or in a land playground, forgetting about work, hobbies, close people);
• exhaustion (immersed in the gameplay, the addict forgets to eat, can walk in dirty clothes without noticing anything around).

Relatives and friends of the gambler notice changes in his behavior at the first stage of the disease. He devotes less time to them, often asks for a loan, is unable to solve minor problems, goes out of his mind with the slightest reason.

Most people leave the patient alone so as not to annoy him and avoid scandals. They think this kind of behaviour is caused by stress at work. Once the crisis is over, things will go back to normal.

But by doing so, relatives make the addict worse. As time goes by, the problem gets worse. Gambling moves to the next stage, as no one prevents the patient from enjoying the excitement.

In the end, the gambler loses all of his savings, trying to get back, takes loans and borrows from friends and relatives. Because of the constant excitement during the game he suffers from mental exhaustion. Stress hormones adversely affect the work of internal organs, often failures in the central nervous system. As a result, a person in the last stage of the disease looks like a drug addict.

Gambling addiction: where it all starts

If we talk about online casinos, the addiction to slot machines deserves special attention. The simplicity of the process and bright colors, the ability to break the jackpot attract many, and some can not stop. Gamblers go through the next stages:

1. Interest. At first it’s just interesting to scroll through the drums, gambler does it without any hope of winning, making the minimum bet.
2. Involvement. Winnings inspire the player to bet bigger amounts. He thinks that another scroll will make a big difference. However, having won a large sum, he does not stop thinking that the machine will give prizes soon. At this stage, strategies are developed, plans that will help to get a multimillion-dollar win.
3. Euphoria. A man gets vivid emotions from the game, eventually becomes their slave. The body gets used to the constant release of adrenaline, so the brain requires more strong impressions.
4. Addiction. The patient does not see life without slot machines, trying to spend all the time scrolling drums. In this case, he falls into despondency when losing, but he has hope for the jackpot.

It’s not easy for people exposed to gambling to stop. The game replaces everything — human communication, love, work, because it is behind the slots they feel happy and capable of the impossible.

How to fight the addiction?

The approach to treatment will depend on the degree of human involvement as well as the specifics of the individual’s mental state. To get rid of addiction, the question should be approached holistically. In particularly serious cases, a combination of measures should be used, which may include:

• psychotherapy;
• hypnosis;
• medication support;
• family support;
• rehabilitation centres;
• anonymous community meetings.

However, many people are interested in how to defeat gambling addiction on their own. It is possible, but not in all cases. Almost all addicted are sure that they can get rid of addiction.For adults with a strong will, if their addiction is not in a final stage, it is quite possible.

To get rid of bad habits, one needs to fill free time with a decent occupation. What exactly will replace gambling addiction, depends on the personal preferences of the gambler. Extreme sports or tourism can provide a comparable level of adrenaline release.

For men, hunting or fishing can be an indispensable source of fun. The creative person is inspired by the visual arts, music and theatre. The main thing in this case is that a person does not switch to another addiction — alcohol or drugs.

How can relatives help?

Your loved one has developed gambling addiction — what to do in this case? The following steps can be taken:

• Deny access to game sites. Modern Internet providers offer programs to automatically block such resources. In any case, all players should play responsibly in a reliable club, where it is possible to stop the game freely.
• Prevent opportunities to get into gambling establishments: bookmaker’s offices, lottery booths and others. Do not spare time and effort on such actions. It is better to meet a man after work and take him home than to mourn another major loss.
• Limit the dependants in managing the family budget, control their personal expenses. Alert relatives and friends so they do not lend him money.

Remember that remission in gambling can happen at any time, as with alcohol or drug abuse. Remember for yourself what gambling is and never forget it.

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