Lets look into this disorder and try to share some light on it and hopefully some courage for those possibly struggling with this disorder.
Gam-ble
/'gambel/
verb
gerund or present participle: gambling
1. play games of chance for money, bet.
2. take risky action in hope of a desired result.
Overview
Compulsive gambling, also called gambling disorder, is the uncontrollable urge to keep gambling despite the toll it takes on your life. Gambling means that you're willing to risk something you value i.e. friendships, family members, homes, vehicles, and other personal belongings in hope of getting something of even greater value.
Gambling can stimulate the brain's reward system much like drugs and alcohol can, leading to addiction. If you have a problem with compulsive gambling, you may continually chase bets that lead to losses, hide your behavior, despite savings, accumulate debt, or even resort to theft of fraud to support your addiction.
compulsive gambling is a serious condition that can destroy lives. Although treating compulsive gambling can be challenging, many people who struggle with compulsive gambling have found help through professional treatment.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of compulsive gambling (gambling disorder) include, but are not limited to:
*Being preoccupied with gambling, such as constantly planning how to get more gambling money
*Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to get the same thrill
*Trying to control, or cut back or even stop gambling, but without success
*Feeling restless or irritable when you try to cut down on gambling
*Gambling to escape problems or relieve feelings of hopelessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression
*Trying to get back lost money by gambling more (chasing losses)
*Lying to family members or others to hide the extent of your gambling
*Jeopardizing or losing important relationships, a job, or school work opportunities because of gambling
*Resorting to theft or fraud to get gambling money
*Asking others to bail you out of financial trouble because you gambled money away
Unlike most casual gamblers who stop when losing or set a loss limit, people with a compulsive gambling problem are compelled to keep playing to recover their money -- a pattern that becomes increasingly destructive over time.
Some people with compulsive gambling problem may have remission where they gamble less or not at all for a period of time. However, without treatment, remission usually isn't permanent.
When to see a doctor or a mental health professional:
Have family members, friends or co-workers expressed concern about your gambling? If so, listen to their worries because denial is almost always a feature of compulsive or addictive behavior, it may be difficult for you to realize that you have a problem, however if you recognize your own behavior from that list of signs and symptoms for compulsive gambling, seek professional help.
Causes
Exactly what causes someone to gamble compulsively isn't well-understood... Like many mental disorders/addictions, compulsive gambling may result from a combination of a biological, genetic and environmental factors.
Risk Factors
Although most people who play cards or wager never develop a gambling problem, certain factors are more often associated with compulsive gambling.
*Mental health disorders. People who gamble compulsively often have substance abuse problems, personality disorders, depression, or anxiety. Compulsive gambling may also be associated with bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
*Age. Compulsive gambling is more common in younger and middle aged people. Gambling during childhood or the teenage years increases the risk of developing compulsive gambling. However, compulsive gambling in the older adult population can also be a problem.
*Sex. Compulsive gambling is more common in men than women Women who gamble typically start later in life and may become addicted more quickly. But gambling patterns among men and women have become increasingly similar.
*Family or friend influence. If your family members or friends have a gambling problem, the chances are greater that you will, too.
*Medications used to treat Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome. Drugs called dopamine agonist have a rare side effect that may result in compulsive behaviors, including gambling, in some people.
*Certain personality characteristics. Being highly competitive, a workaholic, impulsive, restless or easily bored may increase your risk of compulsive gambling.
Complications
Compulsive gambling can have profound and long-lasting consequences for your life, such as, but not limited to:
*Relationship problems
*Financial problems, including bankruptcy
*Legal Problems or Imprisonment
*Poor work performance or job repeat job losses
*Suicide, suicide attempts, suicidal thoughts or ideations.
Although there's no proven way to prevent a gambling problem, educational programs that target individuals and groups at increased risk may be helpful.
If you have risk factors for compulsive gambling, consider avoiding gambling in any form, people who gamble and places where gambling occurs. Get treatment at the earliest signs of a problem. Don't wait.
Understanding the problem --
you cant fix something that you don't understand. To eliminate gambling from your life, you must first learn about the issue and you have a gambling addiction. About 2.6% of the population (that's about 10 million people in the United States) that have a gambling problems and experienced some kind of hardships associated with their gambling problem.
Something that is really disheartening to me as just as a human being in recovery from drugs and alcohol is all of the current media ads promoting gambling, alcohol deliver etc.. As someone who is trying with their entire being to live a clean solid life seeing things like this every time I have to watch a commercial or ad on my phone is just not fair to me, and it doesn't take into consideration how it makes the family of the compulsive gamblers feel. I really feel like the media needs to rethink what, and who they're promoting.
If you or a loved one is struggling with compulsive gambling and would like help and treatment there is the National Council on Problem Gambling. They have a phone number you can call, messenger board where you can chat with one of their professionals or you can text with a professional 24 Hours Confidentially 7 days a week.
Call | 1-800-522-4700
Chat | ncpgambling.org/chat
Text | 1-800-522-4700
If you or a loved is struggling with suicidal thoughts or ideations you can reach out to National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24 hours 7 days a week.
Call | 1-800-273-8256
Chat | icdepreventionlife.org/chat
I sincerely hope with this entry you've been able to learn about gambling, maybe you found some of the signs and symptoms were relative to you, or maybe you're the loved one of someone with a gambling addiction. Wherever you are in this process just know you aren't alone there is a lot of help available and most importantly you are important so do the work.
Until next time, take good care of yourself and each other.
Cheers,
A 💫
No comments:
Post a Comment