Gambling addiction is an impulse-control disorder. When a person is gripped by with a gambling disorder they will be unable to successfully control the urge or impulse to gamble, no matter the consequences or potential loss. Similar to those addicted to drugs and other harmful activities gambling addictions can have an adverse effect upon every facet of a person’s life, social, relationships, profession, due to this suffering from a gambling addiction can be extremely harmful for anyone.
According to Dr Mark Griffiths, Professor of Behavioural Addiction at Nottingham Trent University, Gambling addicts account for approximately 0.1% of the population. Due to this the nature of gambling addiction is not widely covered in comparison to other addictions, however Dr Griffiths further highlights that gambling addicts experience similar withdrawal symptoms, relapse, mood modification, cravings and loss of control. This indicates the need for successful rehabilitation programmes aimed at helping those suffering with gambling addictions.
Dr Griffiths further highlights a study based on individuals with gambling addictions, using advanced brain imaging techniques researchers concluded that gambling addictions diminish the vental striatial activations which is a section of the brain involved in both emotional and motivation decision making.
Many people on their path to a serious gambling addiction are unaware of the signs and symptoms, so here are a few questions you should ask yourself if you or a loved one is starting to exhibit unusual behaviours due to gambling
Do you feel the need to be secretive about your gambling activities?
Beginning to lie or minimize your gambling activities to others is one way of shutting yourself off from loved ones.
Are you beginning to struggle over controlling the amount or frequency you gamble?
Finding it increasingly difficult to walk away from the table in hopes of winning back loses until your last dollar is spent is a sign you are beginning to lose control over your decisions.
Do you take out loans or borrow more to gamble?
After losing your money do you then ask friends, family or other sources of finance to lend your money? If you do then this slippery slope may push you towards a life of crime where you need to steal in order to satisfy your addiction.
Have your family or friends ever expressed concern over your gambling?
You should always listen to those around you, if they are expressing concern over your gambling you need to understand and listen to them carefully, no one wants to see a loved one lose their life to any addiction. You should not consider it a weakness to ask for help.
If you feel you are answering yes to any off this question you should reach out to us for help today.
Misconceptions of gambling addictions.
There are numerous myths surrounding the nature of a gambling addiction, firstly, individuals driven to gambling addictions are done so by their loved ones, in reality those addicted to gambling blame others as a way of rationalising their addiction to their selves, a successful rehabilitation course will lead to an acceptance and responsibility in self-control which can lead to many benefits.
Secondly, you do not need to gamble every day to have a gambling addiction, if it is causing problems in your life whether that be legal, social or having a strain on relationships then it is a problem It has been.
It should also be stated that media often portrays individuals addicted to gambling as weak-willed or unintelligent, which is untrue, gambling affects people from all backgrounds and intelligence levels.
By Connor Fitzsimmons