What Is Pathological Gambling & How Can Avoid It?

An Updated Pathological Gambling Guide

Gambling disorders may affect people from all walks of life and come in many forms if your gambling progresses from simple amusement to an unhealthy preoccupation with potentially threatening repercussions.

Unfortunately, most people don’t even know what pathological gambling is. Without knowing what it is, it’s hard to think about how to avoid it.

In any form of gambling, whether in a casino, at a racetrack, or even in college football, NFL, NBA being a pathological gambler may strain your relationships, cause interference with your job, and lead to financial problems.

In fact, you may find yourself doing things you never imagined, such as accruing massive debts to gamble. Fortunately, there are treatment options available. 

So what is pathological gambling? Also known as problem gambling, compulsive gambling, or gambling disorder, it’s an impulse-control condition that affects one’s ability to manage impulses. If you are a compulsive gambler, you cannot resist your need to gamble, even when doing so may have dire implications for you or your loved ones. 

It doesn’t matter whether you’re winning or losing. You’ll keep gambling no matter the repercussions, even when you know that the odds are stacked against you. 

Of course, it’s possible to have a gambling issue without being entirely out of control at the time. Pathological gambling is defined as any gambling activity that has a negative impact on your life. 

The symptoms of a gambling problem include being overly concerned with gambling, devoting an increasing amount of time and money to it, pursuing losses, and continuing to gamble in the face of significant repercussions in your life. 

Pathological gambling, or problem gambling, is often related to various types of mental illnesses or mood disorders. Substance abuse difficulties, stress-related diseases such as depression and anxiety, and bipolar disorder are common among problem gamblers.

You’ll need to address them and any other underlying factors if you want to overcome pathological gambling. 

Even though you may feel helpless to quit gambling, there are several steps you can take to conquer the addiction. This will allow you to potentially heal your relationships and finances and eventually gain control of your life. 

The Indications and Symptoms

Pathological gambling is frequently referred to as a “hidden disease” since it does not manifest itself as drug or alcohol addiction does with physical signs and symptoms.

In addition, issue gamblers are often known to downplay or minimize the severity of their problem, even to themselves. You may, on the other hand, have a gambling issue if you do any of the following: 

– Feel the need to keep your gaming activities hidden from others. For example, you could gamble in secret or lie about how much you bet because you believe others won’t understand or think you will surprise them with a significant win. 

– You have problems keeping your gambling under control. Is it possible to stop gambling after you’ve started? Or do you feel forced to gamble until you’ve spent every last cent, increasing your stakes to recoup whatever money you’ve lost?

– Even if you don’t have any money, you feel the need to gamble. Alternatively, you may bet until you’ve spent every last dollar you have and then move on to money that you cannot afford to gamble with—money that you could use to pay bills, pay credit cards, or buy things for your family. You may feel compelled to borrow or sell items to get funds.

– Your family and friends are concerned about your well-being. Pathological gambling is maintained by denial. If your friends or even your relatives are concerned, pay close attention to what they say. Having the courage to seek assistance is not a sign of weakness. If their adult children have lost their money because of their gambling, many elders hesitate to reach out to them. But, always remember that it’s never too late to make positive adjustments in one’s life.  

Self-help for Those Suffering From Pathological Gambling 

Recognition that you have a gambling addiction is the first and most crucial step towards recovery. It takes considerable fortitude and bravery to admit that you were wrong, particularly if you have lost a significant amount of money and strained or ruined relationships due to your actions.

However, don’t give up, and don’t attempt to accomplish it all independently. Many people have been in your shoes and have successfully broken the cycle of addiction to start rebuilding their lives. You can do so as well. 

Learn how to deal with adverse situations more maturely. For example, do you engage in gambling when you’re feeling lonely or bored? Also, what do you do after a difficult day at work or after a fight with your significant other?

Gambling may be used to self-soothe unpleasant feelings, relax, or interact with others. Although gambling is a popular method to manage your emotions and relieve boredom, there are healthier and more effective alternatives, such as exercising, spending time with friends who don’t gamble, learning new hobbies, or practicing relaxation techniques. 

Increase the size of your support network. It’s challenging to fight any addiction without help, so reach out to your friends and family for assistance.

If you have a small support network, other methods of meeting new people do not include going to casinos or gambling online. Instead, consider reaching out to colleagues at work, joining a sports team or reading club, enrolling in a continuing education course, or volunteering for a worthy cause to get started. 

Participate in a peer support group. A 12-step rehabilitation program such as Gamblers Anonymous, for example, is based on the successful model of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Finding a sponsor, who used to be a gambler who has successfully maintained a life free of addiction and who can give you crucial counsel and support, is a vital aspect of the program. 

Seek treatment if you are suffering from an underlying mood illness. Depression, stress, drug misuse, and anxiety are all factors that may lead to gambling issues and can be exacerbated by problem or pathological gambling.

Even if gambling has ceased to be a part of your life, these issues will continue to exist in some capacity, making it necessary to address them. 

Pathological Gambling for Good

The most challenging aspect of rehabilitation for many problem gamblers is not to stop gambling but rather to remain consistently in recovery, which entails making a long-term commitment to refrain from gambling again. Gambling has become much more accessible due to the internet, making it more difficult for recovering addicts to prevent relapse. Online casinos and bookmakers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for anybody who has a smartphone or computer with an internet connection.

However, it is still possible to maintain recovery from pathological gambling if you make an effort and surround yourself with people to whom you are accountable. Also, avoid tempting environments and websites. In addition, give up control of your finances (at least initially), and substitute healthier activities unrelated to gambling into your life. 

Remove the things in your life that are essential for gambling and replace them with healthy alternatives to prevent it. The following are the four things required for gambling to continue: 

– To engage in gambling, you must first choose to do it. Then, stop what you’re doing and contact someone and think about the ramifications of your actions. Also, tell yourself to stop thinking about gambling, and find something else to do right away if you feel the urge. 

– Gambling is impossible to do without financial resources. So get rid of your debit and credit cards, delegate money management to someone else, set up automated payments via your bank, delete online betting accounts, and carry just a small amount of cash on you. 

-Time is of the essence: Even online gambling cannot occur if you do not have enough time. Make time for yourself to engage in fun leisure activities that have nothing to do with gambling. Consider finding other activities to occupy your time if you’re spending your free time gambling on your smartphone. 

There is no chance to engage in gambling in the absence of a game or activity to wager on. Don’t place yourself in situations where you’ll be tempted. Inform gaming businesses that you frequent that you have a gambling problem and request that they limit your access to their facilities. Remove gambling applications from your smartphone and computer and ban gambling websites.

Treatment

Overcoming pathological gambling is never simple, and getting expert help simply does not imply that you are weak-minded or, in any way, incapable of dealing with your difficulties. But it’s vital to realize that every gambler is different, which means you need a rehabilitation program designed precisely to your personality and circumstances. Consult with your doctor or a mental health expert about the many therapy options available, which may include:

– Treatment and rehabilitation programs are offered on an inpatient or residential basis. These are intended for those who have serious pathological gambling and cannot refrain from it unless they have 24-hour assistance.

– Treatment for any underlying illnesses that may be contributing to your compulsive gambling, such as drug addiction or mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, OCD, or ADHD, is recommended. This might involve counseling, medication, and adjustments in one’s way of life. In addition, pathological gambling may be a sign of bipolar illness. Therefore your therapist or doctor may need to rule this out before establishing a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

– Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a kind of psychotherapy. CBT focuses on modifying undesirable gambling habits and thinking, such as rationalizations and incorrect beliefs about gaming, when treating pathological gambling. It can also help educate you on how to take complete control of your gambling desires and resolve financial, career, and relationship difficulties resulting from pathological gambling, among other things. In addition, addiction therapy may provide you with the skills to cope with your problem that will serve you for the rest of your life.

– Family therapy, marital counseling, job counseling, and credit counseling are also available. These may assist you in working through the particular challenges that have arisen as a result of your pathological gambling and laying the groundwork for the restoration of your relationships and financial stability. Want to learn more about us Follow us on Twitter