GAMBLING ADDICTION

Did you know?

In general, less than 10% of people with gambling addiction seek help to treat their disorder.
There are people who can quit their addiction to gambling easily and of their own free will, however there are others who need a lot of help to improve their addiction.
It is difficult to recognize with the naked eye if a person has problems with gambling, and in addition to not wanting to realize or recognize that someone we appreciate has a gambling addiction and it is difficult to perceive it, since these people do not usually show their feelings, coming to lie, pretend and even get angry if their behavior is questioned.

What is it?

Clinically, gambling is defined as maladaptive gambling behavior, which is persistent and recurrent and therefore alters personal, family or professional life.

The gambling person generally shows loss of control over his own behavior and that he fails to resist the impulse, a growing feeling of tension before carrying out the act and the experience of pleasure when carrying it out, in a certain way it can be considered addictive behavior.

What are the signs?

Signs to recognize the existence of compulsive gambling in oneself o others. A diagnosis of gambling disorder requires at least four of the following signs within a year:

  • Need to bet money to achieve the desired emotion
  • Shows irritability when trying to cut down or stop playing
  • Failed and repeated efforts to control, reduce or stop playing
  • Frequent thoughts about gambling and betting
  • Usually plays when he/she feels distress
  • Return to play after losing the bet to recover what was lost and feel that you have won.
  • Lying to hide he/she has played
  • Putting an important relationship, job, or educational / career opportunity in jeopardy due to gambling
  • Borrow money from others to pay debts caused by gambling.

Treatment – How to get help?

There are different types of treatments to treat gambling addiction, including:
Cognitive behavioral therapy,
Psychodynamic therapy,
Group therapy and
Family therapy.

Consequently, gambling addiction affects individuals differently and therefore its treatment varies from person to person.
Hence, support and advice for them to seek help is essential, as long as the person with the addiction agrees to do it, since it should also be remembered also that the person with gambling addiction problems must have done everything unimaginable to hide the problem from the people they love.

Having family support and professional counseling will help to understand the dynamics of addiction, to reflect on how gambling affects the person with the addiction and their loved ones.

If a loved one or or you or a friend and feel that are struggling with gambling problems, please do not hesitate to contact us to provide you with more information from where you can seek help. You can send us an email, call us, message using Whatsapp also you can get in touch with us by visiting our social media.

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What to do :

  • Seek support from other people with similar problems; participate in meetings to help relatives of people addicted to gambling
  • Recognize the positive qualities of the person addicted to gambling
  • Remain calm when talking to the person about the consequences of gambling
  • Let your loved one or friend know that you are seeking help because you see that gambling is affecting them
  • If there are children involved, explain the gambling problem
  • Be aware of the need for appropriate treatment for gambling addiction regardless of how long it may take
  • Put limits on the use of money, on family finances and continually review bank and credit card statements
SUPPORT AND HELP

What not to do:

  • Give him/her a speech or reprimand and lose control of your anger
  • Exclude the person with gambling addiction from activities and family life
  • Expect a speedy recovery or that all problems will be resolved when the person stops playing
  • Rescue the player
  • Covering up or being in constant denial about the existence of gambling addiction
SUPPORT AND HELP

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