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Gambling Addiction |
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Although gaming is a great activity which allows one to have fun online as well as earn substantial amounts of money within a short time span, it is also dangerous if not controlled properly.
Gambling becomes dangerous to a player when he or she crosses the line and is unable to exert control over gaming activities. This is harmful because in this case a player may not even be willing to quit despite heavy losses and will continue to play until he or she has lost all of it, or even descended into debt.
A gambling addiction is basically an uncontrollable desire to gamble despite the harmful negative consequences apparent and is also characterized by an absence of a desire to stop gaming. People who exhibit such behavior are generally referred to as compulsive gamblers. This is very different from those gamblers who just like gaming or who take a few risks and occasionally lose money. A gamer suffering from a gambling addiction is characterized by the harm he or she does both to self and others. Such a person would suffer from an impulse control disorder when it comes to gambling.
Every gamer who does not exercise restraint and caution when gaming is in danger and has the potential to become a pathological gambler. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor oneself and to exert control over gaming activities. A good gambler knows when to quit and when to continue and always takes calculated risks, rather than acting on impulses. It is also very important to be level-headed and not let either the wins or losses affect your mentality.
So how do you know when to stop and if you are in the position of getting dangerous gaming habits?
The first step is to be self aware and disciplined when it comes to gambling. Set yourself spending limits and should you find that you always break them, despite losses, then you need to reevaluate your gaming habits.
If you find yourself always thinking about gaming and gambling activities, past, present and future, then you are most probably deeply in the clutches of a gambling addiction.
Stay off gambling for a few months, and focus on other things. If you find yourself unable to do this then you will need to get external help.
Other signs that you are getting dangerous gaming habits and need to exercise control would be the kinds of wagers you make, If you find yourself making larger wagers and feel a sort of compulsion to make each wager bigger than your last, or find yourself dissatisfied when you place a small wager, then you need to ease off gaming for a while.
If you gamble when you are depressed, take loans and borrow from friends just so that you can gamble, and exhibit strong irritation at anyone who negatively criticizes your gambling, then you need to quit gambling and relax. Should you find yourself unable to curb these impulses then you should certainly seek external help.
Once
you
have
decided
that
you
are
causing
harm
to
those
around
you
as
well
as
yourself
with
your
gaming
activities,
it
is
best
to
seek
counseling
and
help.
There
is
nothing
to
be
ashamed
of
in
this
case
and
it
is
better
to
seek
help
than
to
get
worse.
Remember
that
the
first
step
to
recovery
is
admitting
that
you
have
a
problem.
Tell
a
friend
or
family
member
about
your
problem
and
then
seek
help.
Here
is a
list
of
some
options
where
you
can
get
help.
- Phone the National Council on Problem Gambling’s confidential hotline at 1-800-522-4700, they will counsel you and even give you referrals for more help.
- Seek Cognitive-behavioral therapy that will help you change your gambling habits and fight unhealthy urges.
- Gamblers Anonymous which is a twelve-step recovery program designed to help you. They have meetings in several areas and you may just be able to find one in your vicinity.
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