Problem Gambling Blogs
- The theme this year is “Problem Gambling: A New Understanding of a Community Concern.” According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, some 2-3 percent of the U.S. Population will have a gambling problem in any given year, but only a small fraction of those folks seek out treatment and self-help recovery programs.
- FCCG Annual Report Reveals Striking Impacts of COVID-19 on Those Suffering from Gambling Addiction. Sanford, FL: Today, the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) released its FY 2019-2020 Annual Report of its statewide 24-hour Problem Gambling Confidential and Multilingual HelpLine (888-ADMIT-IT), which revealed important findings, some of which present significant implications.
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According to The National Gambling Impact Study Commission (NGISC) “gambling addiction affects approximately 2 to 5 percent of Americans.” People who gamble continue to do so despite of financial hardship or legal consequences. The brain of a gambler who is addicted responds in the same way the alcoholic brain responds to a drink. In other words, the more you feed your addiction, the more it will grow. “Pathological gambling is recognized as a medical disorder by the American Psychiatric Association and has elements of addiction similar to alcohol and drug addiction. It describes a gambler who loses control over gambling behavior with damaging personal, social and financial effects. Very often, the pathological gambler suffers from legal problems. Because the gambler is losing control it is referred to by mental health practitioners as an impulse disorder. Pathological gambling is a progressive disease, meaning that the symptoms will get worse over time” (www.library.ca.gov). Impulsivity is an aspect of a person’s personality. People who are impulsive are more prone to gambling because of their personality. The impulse to gamble cannot be controlled. Not all impulsive people will develop gambling problems.
Gambling can be considered a hidden illness because there are no physical signs like alcohol addiction or drug addiction. Gamblers usually deny their problems and hide their addiction.
However, the concept that problem gambling is not a moral defect but instead a disorder is relatively new. Most experts and clinicians now consider gambling addiction as a legitimate biological, cognitive, and behavioral disorder. Further, although mental disorders can lead to problem gambling, gambling to excess also can lead to other problems.
Some of the symptoms are:
- taking gambling risks
- preoccupation with gambling
- the need to hide gambling
- stealing money to gamble
- gambling as a way to escape problems
- taking time away from family life in order to gamble
- denying gambling tendencies
Gambling becomes worse over time. People may make efforts to stop gambling, but fail to do so. Gamblers continue to bet or play in order to win back the money they lost. This can become very destructive which leads to debt, bankruptcy, divorce, failed relationships. Some people may gamble as a way to escape or numb their feelings and find ways to continue their addiction by lying or stealing money. Unpleasant feelings such as depression, anxiety, fear, etc may make gambling worse. Going to a casino may seem like a fun way to socialize and de-stress, but there are other healthier ways to positively cope with unpleasant feelings.
Treatment:
Recovery from gambling addiction is possible. Treatment should be tailored to the individual because every person is different. The first step is to admit that you have a problem with gambling and that you actually want to change. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) helps to change your unhealthy thoughts and false beliefs. It also teaches gamblers to fight urges, deal with uncomfortable emotions, and solve financial problems caused by the addiction.
The following below is taken from helpguide.org. As you receive CBT to change unhealthy thoughts and behaviors, try using these alternative behaviors to substitute for gambling:
Problem Gambling Blogs
Reason for Gambling: To provide excitement, get a rush of adrenaline
Sample Substitute Behaviors: Sport or a challenging hobby, such as mountain biking, rock climbing, or Go Kart racing
Problem Gambling Blogs Articles
Reason for Gambling: To be more social, overcome shyness or isolation
Sample Substitute Behaviors: Counseling, enroll in a public speaking class, join a social group, connect with family and friends, volunteer, find new friends
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Reason for Gambling: To numb unpleasant feelings, not think about problems
Sample Substitute Behaviors: Therapy, consult Helpguide’s Bring Your Life into Balance toolkit
Reason for Gambling: Boredom or loneliness
Sample Substitute Behaviors: Find something you’re passionate about such as art, music, sports, or books then find others with the same interests
Reason for Gambling: To relax after a stressful day
Sample Substitute Behaviors: As little as 15 minutes of daily exercise can relieve stress. Or deep breathing, meditation, or massage
Reason for Gambling: To solve money problems
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Sample Substitute Behaviors: The odds are always stacked against you so it’s far better to seek help with debts from a credit counselor
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Getting treatment at the earliest sign of a gambling problem is the first step to preventing the addiction from getting worse. Whether it is individual therapy, group therapy or joining gamblers anonymous is the first step to recovery. In order to receive the best treatment, make sure that the person you work with has expertise in gambling.