Charles Ingel - Tuesday, 28 November 2023 - FeaturesHow do you know your gambling is taking over your life? How do you recognise the signs that it has become addictive?
Most gamblers don’t realise their gambling habit is spiralling out of control until too late. However, there are signs you can watch out for. In this article, we will outline the main gambling addiction symptoms to take note of.
Gambling addiction is nothing short of a disorder! This can manifest itself as a form of an obsession related to any type of gambling behaviour. It is a very difficult condition and may take a problem gambler a long time to admit to, let alone recover from.
Unlike popular belief, gambling is not only restricted to casinos. Popular games such as slots machines, Poker or Roulette are only part of the problem. Gambling can come in different forms outside casino products and games.
These include:
These forms of gambling are also harmful to people inclined towards addictive behaviours in general.
When people chase wins or start seeing gambling as a serious source of income, this puts pressure on them to feel like they need to win money all the time.
Some may even consider this as a way to balance out any financial problems they may have had in the past. Obsessing with wins usually leads to a bad cycle of winning and losing and then chasing losses.
Take a look at our Responsible Gambling Page to learn what you need to do to gamble responsibly in Canada.
Some players just chase the emotional highs that come with placing risky bets. What’s even worse is that most gamblers know the amount of risk they are engaging when placing such high bets.
Risky bets give players the feeling that it is impossible to stop!
These usually consist of the following:
Financial signs that are usually a quick-tell sign that someone has a gambling problem usually include:
A gambling problem completely takes over a gambling addict’s time. That is why it is not so difficult to spot it.
‘How?’ You ask. Compulsive gambling seeps into a player’s life. completely hogging his time. Problem gamblers start spending more time gambling to the point where it doesn’t leave them much time for anything else.
These symptoms usually include:
Problem gamblers tell certain lies that sometimes can tip people off or start coming up with the most banal of excuses.
Oftentimes, players with a gambling problem may display extreme mood swings and other symptoms such as:
Those closest to them such as family or very good friends might be able to witness the change in behaviour swiftly.
You should be able to identify your own gambling behaviour by taking an informed and honest look at your own actions.
Here are the gambling addiction symptoms you need to look out for:
If you have tried to limit or stop your gambling habits over and over again but failed every time, that means your gambling habits have become compulsive. Thus, you have a serious problem!
Try to identify what it is about gambling you find so addictive, and seek professional help.
If you display the signs mentioned above, then it is best to seek the help of a professional therapist or have a sit-down chat with your family and friends.
A professional therapist will be able to recommend the best path for you to pursue in terms of effective recovery strategies. Seeking the support of family and friends may also help you to recover faster.
Hey! If you or anyone you know may be struggling with a gambling addiction, make sure you reach out for help.
There are organsiations like Gamblers Anonymous, the Responsible Gambling Foundation, and GamCare that help specifically with this issue, or else seek professional assistance. Support is always available to help you get treated and recover.
Why are some people more prone to addictions than others? This is because there are factors to consider when wondering whether someone has a gambling problem or not:
Age
This is an issue common in younger and middle-aged people. Usually the formative years such as childhood and teenage years are crucial when understanding whether people who have engaged in gambling activities at that age can have a problem.
Friends or Family Influence
Having someone in your family with a gambling problem or friends who gamble a lot may increase your risk significantly.
Sex
Men are known to engage in compulsive gambling more than women; however, women may start gambling later in life and their addiction might appear quicker.
Mental health issues
People with mental health problems like depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety or any other impulse-control disorder may be linked to pathological gambling behaviour.
Problem gamblers might also deal with substance abuse issues, obsessive-compulsive disorders, or ADHD.
Medication
Sometimes drugs prescribed for Parkinson’s disease or restless leg syndrome may result in compulsive behaviours as a rare side effect. That may also include obsessive gambling for some people.
Certain personality traits
When a person is a workaholic, restless or highly competitive or impulsive, this may increase their risk of developing a compulsive disorder. These personality traits may however be treated with behavioural therapy.
Recognising that you have a gambling addiction problem is crucial to not only getting treated immediately but also being able to discover the root cause of your issue.
Be aware of the signs and seek help to regain control of your life and enjoy a life free from addiction of any kind.
Remember that recovery requires effort and commitment. However, the rewards you will reap from this are well worth it!
Charles Ingel is our resident casino and bonus review expert. He makes sure that every bonus on our site is active and tests for fairness. Charles sees to it that we have the best no deposit promos of any online bonus site.
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