Help With Gambling Addiction

When gambling moves from being an infrequent pleasure that is under control to a regular addiction that is out of control it can lead to a whole host of problems involving relationships, work, money and even health. Whether it’s betting too often and too much money on poker games, sports, slot machines, scratch cards or roulette, if you feel your penchant to bet and gamble is getting out of hand, you may require help with your addiction.

Whilst you may feel you are beyond help and will never be able to stop gambling, it is important to know that with the right help and advice you can once again take control of your life and lead a gambling-free life.

The initial step to take is acknowledging that you have a problem and admitting that you need to seek help.

Understanding gambling addictions

Commonly referred to as ‘compulsive gambling’, being addicted to making bets and gambling is a disorder related to impulse-control. These types of gamblers are effectively unable to control their impulse to place bets and gamble, despite realising that what they are doing is damaging or potential damaging themselves and their relationships with others, including their family.

Regardless of whether they have money or have no money, or are on a ‘high’ or on a ‘low’, these types of impulse gamblers cannot resist the urge to gamble.

Problem gambling refers to a type of gambler whose gambling habits are disruptive to their life without being completely out of control. If you tend to be forever chasing losses, spend more money on betting than you would like to or can realistically afford, and are devoting too much time to your habit, it may be that you are a problem gambler.

What are the signs of a gambling addiction?

Unlike some addictions which can take their toll on somebody’s physical health and appearance, gambling does not show any ‘physical’ evidence. However, as the addiction spirals out of control, those addicted to gambling may become withdrawn from their family, go behind their loved ones backs and start telling lies about what they have been doing and where they have been.

One sign that you may be addicted to gambling is if you feel the urge to hide and be secretive about your gambling habits.

Another sign might be that you feel your habit is spiralling out of control and making a bet every so often isn’t good enough as you always feel compelled to make another bet.

If you gamble without the funds to do so could be another sign that you have a gambling addiction.

If your friends and family are becoming concerned about you is another sign of an addiction.

Where to go for help?

There are several groups and therapies available to help curb gambling addiction, including Gamblers Anonymous, which provides a 12-step program designed to help gamblers get over their addiction.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy is another treatment for gambling addiction, which involves addicts channelling their thoughts into changing their gambling habits.