Gambling addiction - nature and peculiarity
Gambling addiction is behavior leading to serious problems in psychological, social and financial aspects. Behavior that can occur if a person does not apply a reasonable approach to their gambling participation. Over time, a gambling addiction usually deepens and begins to completely dictate a person’s life. As a result of the developed gambling addiction, entertainment becomes a habit and a compulsive need to gamble, and the built image, relationships with others and financial stability of the person gradually collapse.
It is important to note that gambling addiction is quite different from social gambling, where a person has fun but also makes reasonable restrictions on the time and money devoted to this activity. Gambling addiction is also quite different from professional gambling, in which participants play at limited risk and observe strict discipline regarding their behavior. If you develop a gambling addiction that does not allow you to control yourself and leads to self-destructive behavior, you should immediately seek help from a specialist. In order to realize as quickly as possible what is happening to you and to be able to take the necessary protective measures, it is good to be aware of the first signs of gambling addiction. In the following lines, we will talk about them.
What are the first signs of gambling addiction?
Here are some of the most important and common first signs of gambling addiction:
- first signs of gambling addiction: the desire to gamble more and more is among the first signs that speak of the development of a gambling addiction. When you lose, you continue the game in a desperate attempt to make up for it, and when you win, it seems like you will win endlessly. Such behavior means that you are already entering the risk zone and you should stop immediately to avoid a serious gambling addiction.
- first signs of gambling addiction: you have a hard time staying away from the game – or in other words, even when you promise not to play again, you have a hard time stopping. This probably means that a gambling addiction is already present and it is advisable to seek professional advice and support.
- first signs of gambling addiction: occurrence of financial difficulties and obligations – when entering a more severe phase of gambling addiction, financial difficulties arise for the person. Financial difficulties due to spending more on gambling than he can afford. It is even possible to get into debt if one starts taking out loans or borrowing money from friends to have the funds available to play. In such cases of gambling addiction, there is no time to lose – professional help should be sought, and in the shortest possible time.
- first signs of gambling addiction: gambling displaces all other activities and occupations – in the more severe phases of gambling addiction, gambling gradually begins to displace all other activities and occupations that have been important in a person’s daily life up to that point. He starts playing online even during his working day, trying to win more or to make up for the losses he suffered the night before. As well as losing the desire to practice the hobbies and activities that until recently gave him pleasure – everything is now subordinated to gambling. Professional help from a good specialist is in most cases the only way to deal with such a severe form of gambling addiction.
Gambling addiction – the importance of being aware of it as early as possible
As we have already noted above in the text, it is of great importance that the resulting gambling addiction is recognized as early as possible. Taking timely measures, including seeking professional help, will help minimize the life, social and financial consequences of such gambling addiction. Therefore, it is good that people playing gambling, and their relatives, are well informed about the first signs of gambling addiction. Read specialist materials on the subject and seek the opinions of established professionals helping people cope with gambling addiction.
What should be done when becoming aware of a gambling addiction?
When realizing a gambling addiction, the best option is always to seek professional help and support. Of course, with milder forms of gambling addiction, it is possible for a person to cope on his own, with strong will and discipline, and constant support from
the people close to her. But it is still advisable to always have a phone number to contact a specialist at hand, as you never know at what moment a more serious crisis may occur. Already with severe forms of gambling addiction, in which financial difficulties and even accumulation of debts have been reached, one should not waste any time. Timely support from a specialist in such cases is key to dealing with the problem and getting out of the spiral of self-destruction.
Responsible Gaming Foundation – contact us for gambling addiction issues
“Responsible Gaming” is a foundation that is the only one of its kind in our country. It aims to promote responsible gaming as well as help people with gambling addiction problems. In case you too have fallen into the dangerous spiral, do not hesitate to contact the team of the Responsible Gaming Foundation. We will listen to you carefully, provide you with the necessary support and refer you to specialists who would help you overcome your gambling addiction and return to your normal rhythm of life.
Gambling addiction professional help