Am I Addicted to Gambling?
Gambling takes many forms from playing the lottery to betting on horses to high-stakes casino betting. Many people enjoy some form of gambling as a fun, but infrequent hobby or passtime. However, some suffer from a gambling addiction that can wreak havoc on their personal and financial lives. Gambling addiction is similar to a chemical dependency and is recognized as an addiction illness, however statistics show that gambling addiction leads to more suicides than chemical dependency.
When a person suffers from a gambling addiction, there are fewer outward signs than other addictions. A gambling addict may feel depressed and suffer mood swings, but unless their financial situation is an open book to others, their problem may be severe before anyone notices. For this reason, gambling addiction is often referred to as a "hidden" addiction.
Unlike an average person gambling for fun, a person suffering from a gambling addiction does not know when to quit. They gamble more than they can afford to lose. They might gamble their rent or mortgage payment, their grocery money, or even their entire life savings.
A gambling addiction is not about the money, it is about the action itself. The thrill of the bet and the possibility of the pay out is what stimulates the "high." When they lose, the individual becomes depressed, but not just because they've lost their money. They need to recover from this depression and seek more action to do so. Though any type of gambling can create a gambling addiction, video poker and slot machines are believed to be the most addicting forms. Largely because they are solitary activities, but create the same sense of action that fuels gambling addiction. Similarly, because they are solitary activities, it can be difficult for anyone else to notice when there is a problem.
Signs that a person may be addicted to gambling include depression, mood swings, and suicidal thoughts or tendancies. These emotional signs coupled with an inability to pay bills or manage money, or excessive borrowing for unknown or suspicious reasons can also be symptoms of a gambling addiction. People suffering from gambling addiction need to seek help from both a health professional and a financial counselor. They need to address the mental aspects of their addiction as well as recover from the financial strain they've created for themselves. Treatment typically involves heavy intervention from friends or family members as well.
If you or someone you know is suffering from a gambling addiction, it is imperative that help is sought. As with other forms of addiction, gambling addiction can ruin multiple lives, create unmanageable financial burdens, and even lead to suicide. Consult a professional mental health care professional, financial counselor, or physician to learn how and where to get help for gambling addiction.
Written by J. Beam
