Gambling changes from being a game for fun to an unsafe interest that has terrible consequences. Whether one bet on sports, roulette, scratch cards, slots or poker, he or she can become addicted. When gambling becomes a problem, it interferes with so many other things such as work and relationships. It will also lead to financial disasters. A person might even end up doing things that he or she has never done or has never thought of doing, for instance stealing money for betting.
Problem gambling and gambling addiction
a) Gambling addiction
It is also referred to as compulsive gambling, pathological gambling or gambling disorder. In general, it is an impulse control disorder where one cannot control the impulse to gamble even when it is likely to have terrible consequences. A gambling addict gambles whether he is down or up, flush or broke, stressed or happy and he will do so no matter the outcome.
The feeling of being a gambling addict is similar to that of alcohol or taking drugs. Gambling changes one’s state of mind and mood. A person gets hooked and keeps behaving the same way trying to attain that same effect.
In alcohol addiction, for example, one begins developing tolerance. A high amount of alcohol is required for the same buzz. Similarly, a gambler requires escalating (gambling more) to get the same feeling. This where a person starts chasing his losses and play for free baccarat at this site, for instance, believing that more gambling will win back the money that has been lost.
A person gets trapped in a situation where there is high craving for gambling and the ability to stop goes down. The craving intensity increases and frequency and the ability to control it weakens.
b) Problem gambling
A person can suffer from a gambling problem without being completely out of control. Problem gambling is a gambling activity that distracts one’s life. If you are occupied with gambling, using so much money and time on it, chasing losses or going on to gamble despite terrible consequences, then that is a gambling problem.
The money earned or lost in gambling does not determine when gambling becomes a problem. Gambling is regarded as a problem when it impacts the gambler’s life negatively.
Also, the number of times a person gamble does not determine if he has a gambling problem. There are gamblers who can go on periodic gambling binges only. But no matter the recurrence rate to gambling, the financial and emotional effects are obvious.
Both gambling problem and gambling addiction are associated with other mood or behavior disorders. Most problem gamblers as well suffer from drug abuse problems such as depression, stress, bipolar disorder, unmanageable ADHD, and anxiety.
https://www.pexels.com/photo/adult-audio-concert-control-panel-35880/
Conclusion
Those are the common habits which gamblers share. If you discover that you are a gambling addict, it is recommended to seek help in time. There are plenty of gambling treatments per a gambler’s specific needs. All other underlying causes of gambling problem must be addressed as well.
