Gambling Addiction: How To Recognize It And What To Do

2024 Author: Harry Day | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 15:43

At the heart of gambling addiction is loneliness, and this is the absence of connections and affection

My acquaintance with the problem of gambling addiction, or craving for gambling, began about three years ago. Then a family came to me, in which the 24-year-old son was losing a lot of money - in six months he spent on games an amount comparable to the cost of a good car.

There is always a lot of pain in such stories. Therefore, I want to share my knowledge for the prevention of the problem, as well as to help those who already suffer from this addiction.

The problem of gambling addiction is twofold: there is a psychological component and a social one.

Psychological aspect

Gambling addiction - gambling addiction or compulsive, gambling addiction. According to the generally accepted definition, the essence of the disorder lies in the frequent repeated episodes of gambling that dominate a person's life to the detriment of social, professional, material and family values and obligations.

It was not customary in our family to talk about our feelings. I was looking for a way to experience something special. The game is the option that I needed

Who is more prone to gambling addiction?

1. Those in whose families it was forbidden to express different feelings(resentment, anger, anger, joy). Once a man shared with me: “It was not customary in our family to talk about our feelings. I was looking for a way to experience something special. The game is the option that I needed.”
2. Those who suffer from feelings of loneliness. Since access to feelings was blocked, the child in the family realizes that he cannot talk about everything. He is left alone with difficult experiences. Just as the stomach cannot digest certain foods, the child's psyche also cannot cope with pain. The person who lost more than $ 5 thousand said: “I have always experienced loneliness. I find it difficult to tell my father about my feelings. I know he wasn’t interested in that.” Loneliness is a life without connection, you are alone on an inflatable mattress in the middle of the ocean.
3. Those in whose families they deserved love. If a child in a family had to make an effort to prove to parents, and then to friends, that he is worth appreciating and worth communicating with, then betting is a way to prove his worth. If a young guy moves to Kiev or any other large city, then with low self-esteem, he may feel inferior. “What if this is an opportunity to stand on my feet and prove to the girl and my parents that I have money,” a young player once told me.
4. Those undergoing traumatic experiences. As the blockage of emotions has formed and this has thrown the person back into a sense of loneliness with claims of “I will prove,” the traumatic experience reinforces the fixation on insecurity. Trauma splits our psychological self into many parts. Therefore, it feels like you can recoup by going to the place where the bets are made.
5. Those who have developed infantile thinking without the presence of a hierarchy of their own value system … Their life credo is to try a little, but get a lot. Infantilism is a personality trait of players. It assumes a lack of responsibility, they do not have their own life, they do not give themselves the right to make mistakes. A child's desire for a miracle is a prerequisite for excitement. Infantilism leads to a break with reality.

As you can see, gambling addiction is a problem for the whole family. This problem should be solved not by one, but by all together.

Gambling addiction is a family problem

Social aspect

Unfortunately, there is no accurate statistics on how many game-addicted people there are in Ukraine. No - because these families are ashamed to say what is happening to their children and to them. Also, statistics are not kept on cases of suicide as a result of games, deterioration of mental health. According to statistics, in a city with up to 500,000 people, 5% are addicted to gambling. In Japan, in September 2017, 3.6% of the total population, that is, 3.2 million people, are addicted to games. Netherlands - 1.9%, France - 1.2%.

What are the symptoms of addiction?

If during the year you play, and the four symptoms described below coincide, then we can talk about addiction:

1. A person cannot be taken away from the game. At the same time, his mood changes dramatically when he leaves the game. Becomes aggressive, depressed experiences a depressive sensation.
2. Social ties are reduced, interests are reduced to one, maximum two. For example, a game and a girl, or just a game.
3. The desire to communicate with other people disappears.
4. He knows exactly the secret of winning. This is a new model.
5. The motive of the game is always noble for the player, and it also serves as an excuse. Help the family, mother to give money for the operation or father. But there is a psychological addiction behind it.
6. Knows where to spend money after winning.
7. Emotional security is experienced only during the game. During the break - uncertainty. In ordinary life, it's boring.
8. It is difficult to accept ordinary humble reality. You need to be at your best, and this requires money.
9. Making money at work creates a lot of pressure and stress. I want to get fast and a lot of money.
10. Feeling euphoric at the thought of the game and at the game itself.
11. Time is not controlled (there are no clocks and windows in places for games - their own world is created).

Gambling addiction is based on loneliness, and this is a lack of connections and affection.

How can you help?

If you find a similar problem in yourself or your relatives, then it is important:

1. Seek support from professionals who take a scientific approach to treatment.
2. There must be the consent of the patient himself. Treatment cannot be successful without his consent.
3. Establish control over money, bank cards and credit statements.
4. Explain to the addict that you are looking for help for yourself because their play affects you.
5. Group psychotherapy or a self-help group can be effective when working on hidden inner conflicts, childhood traumas.
6. Medication.
7. It is important for relatives to continue to believe in the addict's suffering, to see his positive qualities.
8. It is important for the whole family to acknowledge the problem. This is a common, family problem and must be overcome together.
9. Use rehab centers.
10. Don't expect immediate recovery and resolution. Tell yourself, "Everything takes time, and we started to move in treatment."

It is important to remember that gambling addiction is based on loneliness, and this is a lack of connections and affection. Restoration of healthy attachment can help a person. Participation in the addict's life brings him back to life.