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Addiction in any form is dreadful and addiction of gambling is an obsessive-compulsive disorder. Gambling occasionally can be enjoyable, but prolonged interest in it, can turn into an obsession, compelling the gambler to gamble continuously, irrespective of whether he wins. Gambling addiction takes a toll on the addict’s finances and affects him socially, psychologically and physically. It devastates the gambler’s life and has serious consequences on family and friends.

How does gambling addiction start

People generally resort to gambling for various reasons, like curiosity, trying once and winning and getting hooked, but mostly gambling addiction is the escape route from personal relationship problems or any past or current failure in life. The simplest way someone gets addicted is to try once or twice, and with beginner’s luck, he wins, but after that he starts losing. In an effort to gain back the entire money, the gambler goes on playing, till he is left with nothing. Addicts do not hesitate to beg, borrow or steal money to continue their routine of gambling.

This situation must be tackled before it moves beyond control, but the most difficult task is to locate and identify an addict. An addict gambler is very smart to hide his characteristic traits. However, one symptom can give them away – they always try to sneak around, lie about their whereabouts and ask people to lend money.

Self-help for treating gambling addiction – What are the options?

The first step in curing gambling addiction is to confess in the presence of someone else. The presence of someone close would help the addict remain motivated to his efforts. This is the most difficult step as one who can admit that he is an addict, is half way through the curing process because most addicts shy away due to the fear of social rejection.

After the admission, the addict must avoid visiting the places where he gambles, like casinos and clubs. If he is addicted to online gambling then he must remove all sites from the computer. The next step is to engage in some fruitful activity that distracts the addict from gambling, like taking a walk, or visiting a gym.

Following natural therapies are better and safer than trying some kind of medicine, because all medicines have side effects and runs the risk of creating drug dependency. Gambling addicts can also join gambling anonymous support forums, where they can see others like them, trying to get rid of this dangerous habit.

Another step towards a better life can be self-hypnosis. An addict can either get a hypnotist / hypnotherapist, or buy a CD of self-hypnosis, or use a mix of the two methods. A hypnotist will not only hypnotize, but listen to his problems and identify the reasons for gambling and state a solution. However, if this option is not possible to avail for someone, self – hypnosis CDs is a good option too. Remember, getting rid of gambling addiction is an ongoing battle that an addict has to continue fighting unless chances of relapses end completely.

There are many kinds of easily accessible online gambling sites and activities. Easy access to gambling is a potential disaster for a person with a compulsive gambling disorder or an inclination to having a problem with gambling. With an abundance of online casinos and betting sites, anyone with a gambling problem and an Internet connection is faced with temptation twenty-four hours a day.

Is compulsive gambling a real problem? Why can’t they just stop?

A compulsive gambler often wants to stop. After all, he is losing his money, his friends, ruining his family . . . But he can not stop. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) – the American handbook for mental health professionals, Compulsive Gambling is a mental disorder that requires treatment.

How do you know if someone a compulsive gambler?

Problem gambling is characterized by a difficulty to limit money and/or time spent on gambling activity which leads to harmful effects on the gambler himself as well as to others. Pathological gambling is now defined as persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behavior meeting at least five of the following criteria:

1. Preoccupation. He/She has frequent thoughts about gambling experiences.

2. Tolerance. He/She requires larger bets to get a “rush”.

3. Moody.. Restless and irritable when they try to stop gambling.

4. Escape. Gambles to “feel good” or get away from problems.

5. One more time. Trying to win back gambling losses by gambling.

6. Lying. Lies to hide his/her gambling habit.

7. No control. He/She has unsuccessfully attempted to stop gambling.

8. Law breaking. He/She has broken the law to get money.

9. Risked relationships. Gambles despite risking an important relationship,.

10. Bailout. He/She turns to family or friends for financial help.

How Can you Stop Someone from Gambling on the Computer?

Open communication is the best way to approach a loved one with a suspected gambling problem. If the problem is that they are gambling online, you can do a lot to help them. First of all, get rid of the temptation. That does not have to mean getting rid of the family computer or canceling the Internet connection.

If your loved one admits to a problem and wants your help to overcome the problem, you can agree together to start by eliminating the easy access they have to gambling online. Simply by installing an effective web filter, you can easily block out gambling and betting websites from your PC.

There are many types of addictions but one of the most destructive is gambling. Gambling addicts have resorted to thieving, lying and incurred massive financial and physical debts in order to feed their addiction. Most shocking of all, gambling is legal in most parts of the world.

Many people say that it’s quite easy to become addicted to gambling, especially with the ease and anonymity that online Internet gaming sites now offer. These days, you don’t even need to trek to the local bookies to make your bet. You can do it all from the comfort of your home and at a time to suite you, 24hours a day.

Current smartphones make it even easier to place and make bets because you don’t even need to be in front of a computer.

To be fair, gambling is widespread. Many people gamble and have placed small bets on the Superbowl, the World Cup Finals, the World Series, the Grand National or the FA Cup. Indeed, lots of people all over the world play the lottery. This is the acceptable face of gambling. But there is a dark and destructive aspect to gambling that forms into a powerful addiction that can be completely devastating.

So if gambling is legal and so widespread, why isn’t everyone addicted? Because most people know when to quit and go home! Gambling doesn’t have to be addictive. You need strong self-control and an instinct to know when to stop. You need to have much more important things to do and think about in your life.

Nature abhors a vacuum. Gambling fills a need in the addicts life. It’s a substitute for something that’s missing in their daily existence. Compulsive gamblers have lost all rationality along the way and are convinced that ‘luck’ is with them. Logic and sanity have been thrown out of the window.

You should know that gambling is an EXACT science! In the the end, the gambling addict always loses. It was designed that way. The ‘house’ eventually always wins to make profits for its owners and shareholders.

Even if you gamble for fun and not for money, it may not be as harmless as you want to think! You must be on your guard at all times or it could be just a matter of time before you fall into an addiction. A single large win could be the one powerful trigger that pushes you over. You’ll start to believe that you’re ‘lucky’ or a ‘smart gambler’. This is the wrong mindset and will lead to trouble.

If you get the urge to gamble, ask a close friend or a family member to play in a low-risk game that does not involve money. The bet could be take out the garbage or do the weekly shopping or walk the dog.

Online gambling sites will try to lure you into becoming a member by offering you ‘free’ gambling or ‘just for fun’ demonstrations where you bet with ‘play money’ rather than real cash. DON’T be seduced into this madness! If you have strong impulses to gamble, this ‘play mode’ could eventually develop into a real addiction that involves real money.

If you fear that you have an addiction you must seek out professional help in combating it. Search out share groups in your community who are there to help you with your addiction. Gambling is an addiction that is curable and many former gamblers have gone on to lead normal and fulfilling lives.

As with everything in life, it comes down to choice. You are where you are in life because of the choices that you made along the way. Each choice that you made led you along a certain path that has resulted in the position you find yourself in today.

No one can force you to gamble. Gambling is your choice. You don’t have to gamble to have a good time. You can choose NOT to gamble. Remember, prevention is better than cure.