Gambling – The Existing Addiction to Casino Slot Games

Without a doubt, gambling is a fun activity that helps a plethora of people across the globe kill time while scoring some wins under their belt. However, it can be a serious problem when it becomes compulsive as well as habitual. Hence, it paves way for a myriad of mental, personal and financial problems, which we shall look into in depth.

Definition

For starters, a pathological and compulsive player is one who lacks the ability of fighting the temptation to gamble throughout. Thus, this results in severe, social and personal side effects. What a cornucopia of people fails to realize is that the urge becomes so great, that the only way that an addicted gambler can receive some form of fulfillment is through playing the various UK slot games either for real money, with no download needed.

There is thin line between problem betting and wagering too much. The underlying sign of a problem, more often than not, hides itself from awareness, masking itself as denial. A myriad of bettors are oblivious of the fact that they may have a problem. However, as you know the first step of solving the problem of casino gambling whether online or offline is to admit that it exists. Nevertheless, by the time this realization comes to pass, a player has already hit rock bottom and is in the pitfall of uncontrollable betting. While this was formally referred to as a compulsive disorder, it is currently called an addiction disorder.

The Signs of Casino Slot Game Addiction

For starters, how does one know whether he/she is a compulsive or pathological gambler? Irrespective of the fact that some players have a preference of occasional wagering, the pathological players slowly tend to progress from the occasional phase and into the habitual one.

As you progress with betting in the various games which come with a ton of fantastic bonuses, you begin risking more, both personally as well as monetarily. Thus, these result in grave personal issues, criminal behavior as you begin engaging in theft to ensure you have money to bet and personal problems such as sacrificing eating and sleeping, all to support this habit.

Pathological betting depicts itself through the following signs and symptoms within a span of 1 year.

• The urge to avoid playing for free and bet larger amounts of bankroll with the hope of achieving more excitement.A cornucopia of unsuccessful attempts to cut back or stop wagering altogether.
• A feeling of anxiety or irritability when attempting to exit the world of betting.
• Excessive thoughts of planning the next venture of betting or rather means of acquiring some bankroll to gamble.
• Using betting as escapism from various problems such as feelings of stress, despair, and anxiety, among others.
• Engaging in gameplay with higher amounts of money than before, as a means to recoup previous losses incurred.
• Dishonesty about the amount of time or money you have invested in the habit.
• Losing your job, failing in school and missing classes, or a failed relationship due to wagering too much.
• Borrowing some bankroll from your friends or family as desperation to continue gambling.

Statistics have shown that betting is a significant issue in the United States, and affects adults who vary in age. As such, it affects 20% of adults, with men being the higher percentage than women, as it manifests itself in adolescence in men first, and later in the women. However, this percentage has become astronomically low since gambling was banned in the USA.

The evolution of riverboat alongside Indian gaming platforms, national as well as state lotteries, not to mention Internet access to a plethora of adults, which encompasses the seniors. Senior adults exude more vulnerability than other age groups as a result of the high dependency on fixed incomes alongside a higher limited ability of undergoing recovery from betting losses.

The Complications

A plethora of people with pathological wagering more often than not, are also battling substance abuse, alcoholism, anxiety, stress and depression. Furthermore, they also tend to have suicidal tendencies and a coterie go as far as attempting to take their lives.

The stress as well as excitement that stems from rigorous betting, results in heart attacks and increases the risks of suffering from strokes.

The Solutions

For a fact, there are a few of the best and most effective solutions to being a compulsive gambler. However, treatment begins with recognition of the problem.

With that in mind, some of the treatment alternatives include psychotherapy treatment either as an individual or as a group, assistance from a copiousness of support groups such as Gamblers Anonymous, which is a program that involves 12 steps. It has a striking similarity to AA (Alcoholics Anonymous).

In the recent past, medications such as mood stabilizers, opioid antagonists, and antidepressants have proved to be significantly helpful alongside intense psychotherapy.

As seen in drug addiction and alcoholism, compulsive betting is a critical disorder which tends to worsen without the necessary treatment. While there is the risk of a relapsing after vigorous treatment, a multitude of people are able to successfully overcome the habit and get their lives back on track.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

While prevention is quite a challenge and may not always be possible in some cases, the exposure to this lifestyle always increases the risk of the cropping up of compulsive gambling. However, greatly limiting the exposure proves to be quite helpful to players who are at risk. Additionally, the intervention of addiction at the early stages will certainly prevent the disorder from worsening.