February 23, 2012

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The Compulsive Gambler: Is It You?

Dice five 

Image by doug88888 via Flickr

The thrill is exhilarating; spin the wheel, show your hand, and you may reap much more than you sowed. That word may is a small but powerful provision that looms over every game of chance, overseeing the outcome of the game and the money you staked. Most gamblers leave the house happy or disappointed; either way, it was all for fun, and they knew when to call it quits. Do you know when to cash in? Or has the thrill of the win become more than just a game?

 

What Are the Odds?

 

Statistically speaking, approximately 2% to 5% of Americans are compulsive gamblers. That may seem like an insignificant amount, but it equals millions of people so consumed with games of chance they’ve developed an addiction as serious as alcohol or drug addiction.

  • The average divorce rate or compulsive gamblers is doubled compared to non-compulsive gamblers.
  • One in five compulsive gamblers attempt suicide, which means the compulsive gambler’s suicide rate is twenty times higher than a non-compulsive gambler’s.
  • The average amount of debt accumulated in a year by a compulsive gambler is $50,000 to $90,000.
  • Sixty-five percent of compulsive gamblers will commit a crime to support their addiction.

 

 

The Compulsive Gambler

 

Are you a compulsive gambler? The first step in fixing a problem is recognizing that there is one. If you’re:

  • Consumed with thoughts of gambling;
  • Neglect work, responsibilities, or relationships;
  • Gamble to win back lost money;
  • Seek money from others for gambling;
  • Become irritable when not gambling;

 

It could be you. Don’t gamble with your future or your relationships; seek guidance before you become a tragic statistic. Win back your freedom from addiction.

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When Recreational Gambling Turns Into an Addiction

WLA nyhistorical Gambling wheel ca 1900-1920

Image via Wikipedia

The word “gambling” conjures up different images for different people. For some, gambling is a fun recreational activity to be engaged in over spring break or on the occasional weekend. For others, it is an all-consuming activity that brings extreme highs and lows. For family members of compulsive gamblers, gambling is a painful word. For them, gambling represents the loss of household stability, recurring fights and conflicts, and uncertainty about the future.

Deciphering Between Recreational Gambling and Gambling Addiction

Not all gamblers are addicts. Some can plan and enjoy the occasional trip to the casino for a weekend of fun and relaxation. Winnings become an exciting story to tell others and losses are taken with a grain of salt. A recreational gambler only gambles away risk capital. He or she knows that when a bet is placed, the possibility exists that it may be lost.

A gambling addict has a different orientation to gambling. For the addict, gambling represents a compulsive activity to which he or she is tightly bound. Gambling consumes the mind at all times of the day and night. Dreams about enormous riches and glorious futures fill the thoughts. Losses represent catastrophic events. Attempts to recoup losses become an obsession.

Help for Gambling Addicts

Gambling addiction can be treated. It often involves a combination of therapy and medication, if intense anxiety is involved. Family members can assist the recovery process by participating in the therapy sessions and sharing their own personal frustrations with how the gambling has negatively affected their lives. Often, when a recreational gambler becomes an addict, it’s the loved ones who must intervene.

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Gambling and Your Finances

If you have been fortunate enough to meet a gambler, you may end up becoming one in no time if care is not taken. This is due the fact that some gamblers are so passionate and defensive about the practice so much so that they preach strongly in support of the activity that has sent many down the drain. Irrespective of whatever benefits and advantages that gambling is alleged to have, one irrefutable fact is the damage it does to your financial status.

To gamble, you need to spend, no matter how little or large. However, it has been observed that quite a number of people get addicted to the games and keep on playing. Some play for decades without winning anything tangible. But, they keep on playing with the hope that the day will come when they will hit the jackpot. Before that day comes, you may end up neck deep in bankruptcy.

One of the most negative financial practices that you can embark on is gambling. A vast majority of gamblers all over the globe lose their life savings and investments by playing poker and all sorts. It is no longer news that hardened gamblers can throw away life investments in a matter of minutes when in the casino, all in a bid to impress others or win. Except for the extremely lucky few, some of who also end up in debt in a short while, gambling is akin to flushing money down the drain.

Observation and years of research has shown that in gambling, the arrangement is skewed in such a way that the house keeps winning most of the time. It is almost impossible to win the house. In other words, by gambling, you are simply giving your money to the casino operators and that is a pitiful way of investing.

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Can You Afford to Lose?

In ancient Greek mythology there was a creature called a chimera. This fanciful, impossible creature was made of the parts of several animals, which gave it three heads. It would appear and disappear; vanishing into thin air should any try to touch it.

Winning at gambling is much like that chimera. Should you manage to grab it, you have gained something great and powerful, which can change the course of your life. Yet, for many, just as they were reaching out to grab their winnings, their luck vanished like the chimera.

It is the hope of being the one to successfully grab the chimera which keeps people gambling. Nobody thinks of losing, only winning. In a sense, the gambler is the eternal optimist; convinced that the sun will rise over them, even while it is raining on everyone else. Every gambler goes to the tables convinced that this is their day to win.

While I understand the value of a positive mental attitude, I’d like to propose another attitude for gambling. That is, never gamble more than you can afford to lose. To be more specific, look at your gambling as a hobby. Most people don’t spend their mortgage payment and the money for the phone bill on their hobby. Well, neither should you. If you are going to gamble, make yourself a budget, and stick to it. When you’ve lost what you decided you can afford to lose, it’s time to call it quits.

Don’t get suckered into the thought pattern of “if I just play one more hand, I can win it back;” you won’t. Oh yeah, statistically there is a possibility that you can win it back in that one hand; but the statistical possibility is so small that your might as well call it non-existent.

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The Subtle Trail to Addiction

I had a friend, who was a highly respected professional in the state department of education, in the state where he lived. He was married, had a college-aged daughter, a nice home, money in the bank, and a position in the leadership of his church. On top of all this, my friend had started a non-profit organization, which he was the head of.

Everything seemed to be going right for this friend of mine. Then, another couple, who were friends of theirs, suggested that they go for the weekend to a casino on an Indian reservation. They talked it over, decided that they could afford to lose a little, set their budget, and went off to have a good time for the weekend.

Unfortunately, gambling has a draw that isn’t really obvious until it sinks its claws into you. That draw is the desire to be the big winner. It is that desire which causes people to gamble money they can’t afford, knowing that the odds are against them, but still seeing the chance of winning.

Well, my friend went through his budgeted allocation for losing that weekend a little faster than he wanted to. “No problem,” he thought, “I’ll just go over to the ATM machine and get myself a little more money.” He didn’t bother telling his wife, and since he handled their finances, she had no way of knowing. Of course, he went through that money as well, and left the casino at the end of the weekend as a loser.

These two couples started going to that casino every month. To them, it was an inexpensive way of getting away for a fun filled weekend. Unfortunately, my friend became somewhat obsessed with winning. In fact, he became addicted to gambling. Every time they went, he ended up pulling a little more out of their savings than he had the month before.

It wasn’t long before he lost his entire life’s savings. Because of that, he lost his wife, his daughter, his home, his happiness, and his good name. Was it really worth the price?

Filed Under: Addictions, Gambling Tagged With: , ,

Gambling can Lead to Alcoholism

To some, the need to gamble is an addiction. There is nothing that can replace the need to feel the rush of winning, or losing, everything. There are some that believe that when someone is suffering from a gambling addiction, there is no need to worry about it bleeding over in to other addictions. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

The fact is that an addiction to gambling is, at it’s very core, the same as any other addiction. It’s about letting something take you over and make you helpless. It’s about giving in to something powerful that provides a feeling that you think you need. The same way an alcoholic numbs pain, a gambler uses the roll of the dice or a bet on a game as a way to numb their own personal pain. While it might seem like a different beast, it’s just the same beast manifesting itself in different ways.

The scary thing about an addiction to gambling, besides the addiction itself, is what is can lead to. When the need to numb the pain through gambling isn’t enough on a given day, this can lead to other addictions. What will the addict do to numb the pain? Will gambling turn to alcoholism? Do not forget that in most places that feature gambling also feature alcohol. It’s a readily available, and it’s so easy to turn to.

For the addict, it’s important to get help to treat both addictions. Finding help is easy these days by visiting sites like Rehab-International.org. They can find which rehab facilities treat specific needs. The most important thing about rehab is the specific addictions. A gambler might feel helpless against the addiction, but that doesn’t mean he is. There are a lot of ways to treat the addiction for both gambling and alcohol. Help can be found.

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Treatment Options for Gambling Addictions

Have you looked at your life and realized you have a gambling problem? Have you lost the trust of your loved ones? Have you emptied your bank account and put yourself in debt? If yes, congratulations for researching options to seek help. If you answered no but are still troubled about your gambling habits, congratulations for seeking help before your life is torn asunder by a severe gambling addiction. The following are treatment options for problem gamblers. Don’t be afraid to use these resources. Gambling is a serious addiction. Don’t treat it lightly.

No one can force you to change unless you’re ready. When you’re ready to admit you may have a problem, consider giving the National Council on Problem Gambling a call. Their gambling help line is confidential and secure. The National Council on Problem Gambling can offer advice, support, or resources in order to start defeating your gambling addiction. Their number is 1-800-522-4700.

For a tried-and-true answer to gambling addiction, check out your local chapter of Gamblers Anonymous. Gamblers Anonymous is based off of the successful alcohol addiction therapy program Alcoholics Anonymous. Gamblers Anonymous follow a twelve-step program aimed at kicking the gambling habit for good. Participants join up with a sponsor. The sponsor will be a former gambler who has found success through the Gamblers Anonymous program and can now offer support, knowledge, and experience to gambling addicts.

Cognitive-behavorial therapy may be another option. This therapy focuses on changing how the brain reacts to gambling. Your therapist will help you to relieve stress, frustration, or unpleasant emotions through means other than gambling. A therapist can help you see gambling in a different light, instead of as an “escape” or “solution.” If you’re in one-on-one counseling, a therapist can also create a program tailored especially towards your own personal needs, desires, and weaknesses.

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Gambling Addiction can Lead to Other Addictions

Gambling addiction is a serious thing. Many people do not see it as a big deal, but realistically it can be just as detrimental to a person, and their relationships, as any other addiction. In fact, for some, a gambling addiction is basically just a gateway to other addictions.

Casinos, where you will generally find those with a gambling addiction, can unfortunately lead to other problems. Many times, there is free alcohol for those that are gambling. This can lead to getting drunk, and then gambling even more. Many times, the two go hand in hand, and when a person has an addiction to gambling, you will frequently find that they also have an alcohol addiction. In some circumstances, you may even find that a gambling addiction can lead to other drug addictions as well.

If you find that you are having a hard time with gambling and/or drugs, and you are concerned that you are dealing with addiction, there are ways to get help. You may find that a drug abuse rehab facility is a good option for you. They can help with the drug addiction and the gambling addiction at the same time. They can also help you understand why you are drawn to these things, and why they have become an addiction for you.

Not everyone that gambles is suffering from an addiction. Understanding the difference between something you enjoy doing and something that is an addiction is crucial to being able to get adequate help. If your gambling is getting in the way of relationships, work or even other interests, you may want to consider seeking help. Another way to tell if you are dealing with an addiction is if you find that friends and family are making comments about your gambling. Talk with someone you trust if you feel that you have a problem.

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An Introduction to Gambling Problems and Addiction

What is “gambling addiction?”
Gambling addiction, or “compulsive gambling,” is classified as an impulse-control disorder. Gambling addicts are completely incapable of controlling their gambling impulses. A compulsive gambler will continue to gamble even if their credit cards are maxed out and their bank account is completely depleted. They cannot deny their impulse to gamble. Gambling begins to consume their thoughts and control their life until everything revolves around gambling, earning money for gambling, or going to gamble.
What is “problem gambling?”
Problem gambling, on the other hand, is not as serious as a gambling addiction, but it is no less harmful on your life. Problem gambling occurs when your gambling interferes with your daily life. If you choose to gamble instead of your every day obligations or gamble away more money than you should, you’re experiencing problem gambling. You may not be completely out of control yet, but you still have a problem.
I don’t gamble every day. Could I still have a gambling problem?
Many people picture a compulsive gambler slumped at a craps table or spending every day at the races. Contrary to popular belief, you can still have a gambling problem even if you don’t gamble every single day. No matter how frequently you gamble, if your gambling puts a strain on you, your loved ones, your relationships, your career, or your bank account, you have a gambling problem. Even if your bank account is not at risk and your financial situation affords you plenty of money for gambling, if it becomes a compulsion, it is problem gambling. The amount of wealth a gambler has should not play a factor in determining if a gambler has a problem.
Finally, remember that gambling addiction is a serious addiction. Don’t write it off or treat it less seriously than you would a drug or alcohol addiction. Compulsive gamblers need action and attention.

Filed Under: Addictions, Gambling Tagged With: ,

Gambling can Lead to Alcoholism

To some, the need to gamble is an addiction. There is nothing that can replace the need to feel the rush of winning, or losing, everything. There are some that believe that when someone is suffering from a gambling addiction, there is no need to worry about it bleeding over in to other addictions. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

The fact is that an addiction to gambling is, at it’s very core, the same as any other addiction. It’s about letting something take you over and make you helpless. It’s about giving in to something powerful that provides a feeling that you think you need. The same way an alcoholic numbs pain, a gambler uses the roll of the dice or a bet on a game as a way to numb their own personal pain. While it might seem like a different beast, it’s just the same beast manifesting itself in different ways.

The scary thing about an addiction to gambling, besides the addiction itself, is what is can lead to. When the need to numb the pain through gambling isn’t enough on a given day, this can lead to other addictions. What will the addict do to numb the pain? Will gambling turn to alcoholism? Do not forget that in most places that feature gambling also feature alcohol. It’s a readily available, and it’s so easy to turn to.

For the addict, it’s important to get help to treat both addictions. Finding help is easy these days by visiting sites like Rehab-International.org. They can find which rehab facilities treat specific needs. The most important thing about rehab is the specific addictions. A gambler might feel helpless against the addiction, but that doesn’t mean he is. There are a lot of ways to treat the addiction for both gambling and alcohol. Help can be found.

Filed Under: Addictions, Gambling Tagged With: , ,