Gambling has an initial phase in which it is crucial to detect the problem and put a stop to it.
That is why it is convenient to be able to detect the alarm signals that indicate the presence of what is popularly known as gambling addiction as soon as possible. And this is the purpose of this article: to show those everyday events that give reason to think that this disorder has developed, or at least its first symptoms.
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What is pathological gambling?
Pathological gambling is a pattern of behavior in which the person develops a dependent relationship with games of chance, such as casino roulette, the use of slot machines or poker, among many others. In other words, you enter into a dynamic in which you have to be constantly participating in these games, and with it, betting money.
On the other hand, the fact that this disorder exists does not mean that playing a game of poker or carrying out any similar activity is bad in itself; although it certainly increases the risk of ending up developing gambling addiction, it is the pattern of behavior sustained over time that causes the disorder to arise .
Signs that indicate the presence of gambling addiction
These are the main signs that show that a person has a gambling addiction . It is not necessary for all of them to occur at the same time for gambling addiction to have developed.
1. They find it difficult to stop playing at a certain time
People who have developed a gambling addiction have serious problems setting a time to stop betting and dedicate themselves to other things: they constantly postpone that moment. This has to do with their inability to say no to the possibility of being satisfied with the victory.
2. They constantly think about the game
Even when they are not playing games of chance, these people fantasize about winning money, or imagine gambling. They may also spend a lot of time researching what other players are doing, possible ways to maximize their chances of winning, etc.
3. Problems repaying the borrowed money
Another aspect that rapidly deteriorates the quality of life of people with gambling addiction is that they have financial problems and are constantly in debt. This, in turn, is one more reason for pressure that leads them to bet to get money quickly.
4. They need to bet more and more
As with drug addiction, the person needs to engage more and more in the addictive behavior to satisfy their urges. If at the beginning it was enough to earn 100 euros, after a while they need to earn 500, for example.
5. They are irritable at requests to stop gambling
If their family or friends try to intervene so that they do not spend so much time playing, the person with gambling addiction gets angry very easily, since they sense that they have a problem with that aspect of their life but in many cases they do not want to talk about it.
6. They are more likely to develop other addictions
The risk of ending up developing addictions to substances such as alcohol or cocaine is much higher in those who have a pathological gambling problem.
7. They surround themselves with other people with similar problems
As the game becomes part of their priorities, people with this psychological disorder seek the company of other players with the same dependency problem. This, in turn, further complicates the problem, because the influence they exert on each other further entrenches their tendency to always be gambling.
Treatment
As with addictions, gambling addiction can be treated in therapy . Mental health professionals are trained to help people for whom gambling has become the main problem in their lives.
To overcome gambling addiction there is a set of methods and strategies; Sometimes the use of psychotropic drugs is recommended if the case is very severe and anxiety is not well managed, but in general psychotherapy itself is already sufficiently effective.
This process of change consists of learning to break with the dependency dynamics of the game by creating alternative habits that are satisfactory and that, little by little, overshadow the desire to gamble. Psychologists have the training to train patients to overcome this process by following the appropriate steps so as not to stagnate and avoid relapses.
If you are interested in receiving professional help to treat gambling addiction, I invite you to contact me in person or through the online therapy format . I am a psychologist specialized in the clinical field and I have more than 20 years of experience helping patients in a professional way.
Bibliographic references
- American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (Quinta edición). Arlington: American Psychiatric Publishing.
- Dowling, Nicki; Jackson, Alun C.; Thomas, Shane A. (2008). “Behavioral Interventions in the Treatment of Pathological Gambling: A Review of Activity Scheduling and Desensitization”. International Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy. 4 (2): pp. 172 – 188.
- Volberg, Rachel (March 2002). “The Epidemiology of Pathological Gambling”. Psychiatric Annals. 32 (3): pp. 171 – 178.
- Weatherly, Jeffrey N.; Flannery, Kathryn A. (2007). “Facing the challenge: The behavior analysis of gambling”. The Behavior Analyst Today. 9 (2): pp. 130 – 142.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.