Posts Tagged ‘ Problem ’

When Does Gambling Become A Problem?

April 7th, 2010
posted by admin 11:33 AM

 

When you are at an online casino you play games, or do the games play you? The following paragraphs are about problem gambling and what you can do if you find that you have a problem with online gambling. Gambling can be a great way to spend your recreation time, but only if you are able to control it. When gambling controls you, you need to take affirmative and swift action to tackle the issue.

Online gambling is twice as addictive as traditional gambling!

Online gambling is generally more addictive than ordinary live gambling, since the internet in itself has an addictive effect on huge portion of the world’s populace. Another factor that adds to its addictiveness is the fact that you can play anytime you feel like, as long as you are near a computer which removes the need to go to a land based casino or withdraw cash from your bank.

How do you know you have a gambling problem?

When you are playing games, you should be aware of certain tell tail signs. Each one of them could indicate that online gambling is becoming a problem for you.

If you recognize a number of these signs in your own behaviour, you should either think hard about your current situation and make changes or alternatively seek help.

Warning signs You spend more money on gambling than you had budget allows. You loose track of time and play for longer than you had planned. You don\’t quit when you\’re ahead, but instead continue gambling until all the money you have acquired is gone. You\’re easily irritated if something disturbs you whilst gambling. You chase your losses. You spend more and more of your free time gambling and thinking about gambling when previously you had other interests. You need to play with higher steaks to get the same level of excitement. You have a strong belief that you will win big. You blame your losses on the fact that you were not playing well enough. You spend more on gambling than you let your friends and family know about. You choose online gambling before family, friends or work. Step 1: Admit you have a problem

If you deny that you have a problem, the problem won’t go away.

Addiction isn\’t an affliction of choice. Therefore it\’s not something you can stop without help. If addiction could be dealt with easily it wouldn’t be such a serious problem.

Only once you admit your problem can you deal with it.

Step 2: Get help

Gambling problems are commonplace in today’s day and age, and are as old as gambling itself.

There are a number of Gamblers anonymous groups in the majority of towns and cities across the UK. Its advised that if you do think you have a problem, then you should get in contact with one of these groups – as talking to others that have shared your experience will not only help you understand the problem but also conquer it.

Many online casinos allow players to define limits for how much players can spend. Players can even ban themselves from the casino for a chosen period to help deal with their urges to gambling.

 

Links and phone numbers

Below is a list of people who can provide help and advice:

UK GamCare http://www.gamcare.org.uk/
Helpline: 0845-6000-13 Responsible gambling http://www.expertbingo.co.uk/responsible-gambling.shtml Gamblers anonymous http://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/

How to Deal With a Gambling Problem

March 5th, 2010
posted by admin 3:00 AM

A gambling problem usually occurs when a person over indulges in gambling, ending up being indebted and having dysfunctional relationships with loved ones.

First of all, Gambling is addictive. The risk and the winning can have a psychological effect on a person, making him unreasonable and irrational.

The first step to solving a gambling problem is acknowledging it. Gamblers Anonymous have the following set of questions to test if you indeed have gambling problems.

1. Did you ever lose time from work or school due to gambling? 

2. Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy? 

3. Did gambling affect your reputation? 

4. Have you ever felt remorse after gambling? 

5. Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties? 

6. Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency? 

7. After losing did you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses? 

8. After a win did you have a strong urge to return and win more? 

9. Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone? 

10. Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling? 

11. Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling? 

12. Were you reluctant to use “gambling money” for normal expenditures? 

13. Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself or your family? 

14. Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned? 

15. Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble? 

16. Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to finance gambling? 

17. Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping? 

18. Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble? 

19. Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling? 

20. Have you ever considered self destruction or suicide as a result of your gambling?

A problem Gambler would answer Yes to at least seven of these questions.

If you are indeed a problem gambler, the following tips should help you out of your gambling ditch:

* Never take credit cards or an ATM card with you when you gamble, just take the amount that you intend to spend that day.

* Limit the time you gamble.

* Remember, there are more chances of you losing than winning.

* When you win, keep the money and have an agreement with yourself not to use it.

* When you run out of money, give up, never borrow cash for gambling.

* Never hesitate to ask help from a buddy. Bring a gambling buddy who’s not addicted and ask him to keep you in check.

When Gambling Becomes a Problem

February 8th, 2010
posted by admin 3:05 PM

While most people enjoy casino gambling, sports betting, lottery and bingo playing for the fun and excitement it provides, others may experience gambling as an addictive and distractive habit. Statistics show that while 85 percent of the adult population in the US enjoys some type of gambling every year, between 2 and 3 percent of will develop a gambling problem and 1 percent of them are diagnosed as pathological gamblers.

Where can you draw the line between harmless gambling to problem gambling? How can you tell if you or your friend are compulsive gamblers? Here you can find answers to these questions and other questions regarding problem gambling and gambling addiction.

What is the Meaning of Problem Gambling?

Problem gambling or compulsive gambling is defined as an uncontrollable urge to gamble despite the destructive effect of gambling on the gamblers life and despite feelings of guilt and remorse. Problem gambling tends to have a negative effect on the gamblers financial state, relationships and daily life. Severe cases of problem gambling can be defined as pathological gambling.

Am I a Compulsive Gambler?

1) Do you gamble until your last penny runs out?

2) Do you gamble to win back your former losses or debts?

3) Did you ever had to borrow money to continue gamble?

4) Did your gambling habit ever made you lie to your friends or family?

5) Did you ever skip work or other obligation to gamble?

6) Do you tend to gamble to forget about your personal problems or to celebrate happy occasions?

7) Does gambling have a negative affect on your daily life or relationships?

If you have answered yes on at least one of the questions listed above, then you have a problem.

Can Anyone Become a Compulsive Gambler?

Theoretically, yes. Any gambler can develop gambling problem regardless to the type of gambling he is occupied with, the amount of money and time he is spending on gambling. Researches show that slot machines that can be found in bars and convenient stores are the most addictive type of gambling activity, while lottery draws and bingo games are located on the other end of the scale. Gambling addiction is an emotional problem; its symptoms, causes and treatments are similar to any other form of addiction.

How Can I treat Gambling Addiction?

1) Group Therapy:

Gamblers Anonymous offers a 12 step self help program similar to the one offered to alcohol addicts in Alcoholics Anonymous. Group therapy also offers gambling addicts advice and support from professional counselors and other gambling addicts in different phases of their recovery process. Gambler Anonymous centers are available in more than 1,200 locations statewide.

2) Individual Therapy:

Cognitive or behavior therapy can help gambling addicts to identify their unaware thinking and acting patterns, which led them to gamble compulsively, and to replace them with controllable and healthier ways of thinking.

3) Psychiatric Medication:

It has recently been proven that antidepressant medications from the family of SSRIs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can be affective in treatment of gambling addicts.