If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling addiction, it’s essential to understand the recovery process. It may seem like an uphill battle, but people have been there and recovered before. You are not alone in this fight against your own mind, so take heart! Furthermore, there are many ways for recovering from a gambling addiction that can be tailored to each individual based on their needs. Let’s explore gambling addiction, how it affects an addict’s life, signs and symptoms of addiction, and the recovery process.
What Is A Gambling Addiction?
Gambling addiction is essentially an addiction to anything that can be classified as a game of chance. It could be roulette, poker, slot machines, or even sports betting. Also, a person could develop an addiction to other forms of these games, such as mobile games or online versions of them. The point is that the common denominator in all cases is money.
Ways Gambling Addiction Affects An Addict
Below are the profound gambling impacts on the addict’s lives.
It can affect your personal life
It doesn’t matter if you gamble to pass the time or as an addiction. The end result is always damaging. Your gambling addiction could easily take over your entire life and make everything revolve around how much money you can win.
In the long run, the habit becomes a never-ending cycle of chasing losses and more money, which starts to affect your interpersonal relationships.
It can affect your work life
If you gamble as a way to pass the time, that’s probably not an issue. However, if you bet as addiction and feel like you need to do it to get through the day, you might start neglecting your work duties. You might even lose your job without noticing it, simply because gambling is more important to you than your career.
Gambling addiction can lead to bankruptcy
In most cases, you can’t win enough to pay off your debts in gambling addiction. You might even think that sure losses are inevitable but that sure wins are possible.
They might seem like a few minor losses now and again, but in the long run, you’ll have plunged yourself into a big financial crisis. Eventually, you’ll run out of money, leading to bankruptcy.
It can hurt others around you
If you’re close to someone who has a gambling addiction, then you know how it affects their lives. The person might avoid spending time with you to gamble, and it might even lead to them neglecting their relationships and responsibilities. The addiction can also result in financial issues and even fraud and theft.
Signs And Symptoms Of Gambling Addiction
Gambling addiction could manifest itself in a variety of ways. Here are the signs and symptoms of addiction to gambling.
Losses that you can’t afford to take
Whenever your losses cost you more than you can actually afford, it’s a sign that you’re too deep into your addiction. It could be as simple as missing a bill payment, but it also extends to how much you have to borrow from others.
You need a bigger fix
Once you’ve lost, the only thing that will satisfy you is winning. However, since you’re chasing losses and no wins, the only way to get a bigger fix is to lose even more.
You might try to double your bets or take bigger risks, but most of the time, you’re less likely to win. This only perpetuates the cycle of addiction.
You’re unable to stop
If you have no control over your gambling, it’s a clear sign that you need help. You might try to stop but be unable to, or you may even feel guilty when you can control.
Lying about your finances
Gambling can cost you a great deal, and it’s not uncommon for those with this addiction to lie about how much they’ve spent. They might claim it was a one-time expense or try to hide their losses altogether. However, this is an evident sign that they’re struggling with addiction.
You have withdrawal symptoms
It might not be apparent to others, but a gambling addiction can lead to several withdrawal symptoms. You might feel anxious when you cannot gamble, or you may even bet more to ease those feelings. It becomes a cycle of addiction that only continues the longer you play.
The Recovery Process for A Gambling Addiction
There is no specific cure for gambling addiction. Nevertheless, here are some of the avid methods to overcome the withdrawal symptoms.
Get rid of the temptation
Among the first steps to take is to resist the temptation to gamble. You can do this by taking down your betting app or delete the games on your phone before becoming addicted.
Get help from friends
Your friends can make a difference in how you handle the temptation, so ask for their help. It could be as simple as taking away your credit cards, or it might mean having them tell you when it’s time to stop playing.
Besides, you can’t make it on your own, so let them help you overcome this addiction before it gets any worse.
Seek professional help
If you can’t seem to get out of this addiction on your own, it might be time to seek professional help. There are quite a few therapists who can help you learn how to handle your stress without turning to gamble.
Also, they might suggest certain medications that can help you stay away from your addiction’s triggers.
Join a group
You might not think that a group is an answer, but it can make a difference. There are quite a few people who gather in support groups to help each other overcome this addiction and stay far away from gambling.
They share stories with each other of the dangers they’ve faced, and it can motivate you to seek help.
Get yourself tested
If you have any co-occurring mental disorders, then it might be time to get yourself tested. There might be other conditions that lead to your addiction, and treating those first will allow you the best chance of overcoming this. It can also be a sign for you to avoid a gambling addiction in the future.
Conclusion
Gambling is a fun activity, but it shouldn’t be taken lightly. It can quickly become an addiction that changes the way you behave and think. If you see any of these warning signs in your life, it’s time to seek help. It’s not a sign of weakness; instead, it’s a sign of strength.
