Gambling is an interesting and entertaining hobby, but it can develop into a serious disease, gambling addiction. Gambling addiction manifests itself through different symptoms. The diagnosis is usually made by a specialist in psychology or psychotherapy. A gambling addiction can have different causes. To what extent the disease can be cured depends on each patient individually. And gambling addiction is when a person tends to gamble or bet constantly. Gambling addiction is also referred to as compulsive or pathological gambling.

It is typical for gambling addicts they are constantly dominated by the thought of gambling. Thus, they are always thinking about which gambling techniques are best to use or how to get funds to finance their urge to gamble. The urge to gamble is extremely intense and even the sufferers themselves have the impression that they cannot control this urge. In the process, family, friends, and career are also put at risk. To continue gambling, gambling addicts are willing to invest all their money. If their savings are exhausted, they do not shy away from incurring debts, lying, or cheating. To maintain the excitement of gambling, they increase the stakes more and more. If they are asked to stop gambling or at least to limit it, their reaction is restlessness and irritability. In the worst case, the gambling addict destroys his entire existence.

Gambling addiction is a mental illness similar to compulsive buying or alcoholism. In most cases, addicts try to deal with dysfunction their entire life through gambling. They flee from the reality that is unpleasant for them, as gambling helps them to temporarily forget their problems. Gambling addiction can be effectively treated if the gambler admits he has a problem. However, it is much better to prevent yourself from it. Some websites such as Casino National even provide a self-exclusion option for gamblers who tend to get addicted to gambling. 

SIGNS OF GAMBLING ADDICTION

People who suffer from gambling addiction regularly play different types of games of chance and wager money. The goal each time is to win a lot of money. The thoughts of these people always revolve around their preferred gambling game. They think about how to get the “seed money” they need to make “their” gamble. In the process, patients often go into very high debt. As the progress of the game, the amount of money wagered increases.

Another characteristic of patients with a gambling addiction is that they try to avoid the addiction in front of their family, friends, and work colleagues. It is not uncommon for relationships to break down as a result, as patients are unable to stop gambling without treatment. Most sufferers start gambling in a life crisis. Patients are then often depressed or afraid of a certain situation. 

To increase the excitement of gambling, the amounts wagered become higher and higher. If the financial means become scarce, the player borrows money, so that he can continue to play.

Patients who admit their gambling addiction and seek medical treatment receive comprehensive therapy from a specialist in psychology or psychotherapy. In some cases, there are also special outpatient centers for gambling addicts. In addition to talk therapy, patients often also receive medication to get their gambling addiction under control. Since most patients have high debts as a result of their disease, they also need care from a professional debt counselor. This person can advise the patient on financial matters and, if necessary, guide them into personal insolvency.

To avoid slipping into a gambling addiction you should regularly review your gambling behavior.