Like other addictions, gambling can be quite compulsive if not checked in time, and can go on to ruin your life. You can lose your job, home, business or family if you are not strong enough to control your impulses.Some people are addicted to sports betting while others are more into brick-and-mortar casinos or online gaming sites. Considered as an impulsive behavioral disorder, gambling addiction is something that is hard to overcome. Part of your mind says “stop,” but as always, the dominant aspect urges you to go on.This, however, must be addressed as soon as possible to prevent any future life crises as a consequence. One way to do so is through self hypnosis. But before you get to the treatment aspect of the problem, you need to get to its root cause.
Top Reasons Why People Gamble
- Feeling restless or irritable when trying to cut down or quit gambling. Gambling to escape worry or trouble. Losing time from work or school due to gambling. Lying about time and money spent gambling. Neglecting family because of gambling. Unable to stop playing regardless of winning or losing. For the Family: Emotional distress, anger, depression.
- Stopping problem gambling can be extremely difficult, but once stopped, the ongoing task is to stay stopped. Ex-problem gamblers find it extremely difficult to engage in recreational gambling again. For most problem gamblers, if not all, an abstinence-based approach to recovery is needed in order to enjoy a full and wholesome life.
- People who have gambling problems and decide to stop can choose to self-exclude from gambling, use software to block online gambling sites and self-exclude physically from betting shops and casinos. While these are all helpful ways for people to get support, many banks believe they can do more to support self-exclusion too.
Need to gamble with increasing amount of money to achieve the desired excitement. Restless or irritable when trying to cut down on or stop gambling. Repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back on or stop gambling. An article on governing.com (States have a gambling problem: Young people) woke me up to the fact that my children (and everyone else’s) are actively being targeted and studied, to make gambling more “appealing” to them than it is, in the forms most of us recognize it.
Why do people gamble? Are there certain brain impulses that drive them to bet on a card game or a sports event? While everyone has their own reason to gamble, almost all of them can be traced back to two main causes that account for the urge to gamble.
Biological Impulses
The human brain is responsible for the production of quite a few chemicals. And there is one that stands out – Dopamine! Studies reveal that this very chemical works behind people’s most “sinful” behaviors. Talk about secret cravings, lust, and addiction. It is, indeed, the busiest neurotransmitter of a human brain and the most volatile, too. That is why there are dopamine-inhibiting receptors to balance its presence.
When you have an excess of dopamine, this could easily trigger a chemical imbalance leading to an increased inclination to take risks over and over again. Eventually, this leads to an addictive behavior that is harder to get rid of.
Emotional Responses
It is human nature to take risks. We are born curious, always questioning what lies ahead. We thrive on excitement, anticipation and trepidation. In some way, a person’s emotional responses fuel him to live, to be motivated, and to have a sense of purpose. However, these feelings can become a problem when they go out of control.
Gambling addiction feeds on your emotional responses, or should we say, lack thereof. When you are feeling low or depressed or anxious, winning on a card game or playing slots can give you a high. It induces a sense of achievement and self-worth.
To others, especially those who are living stressful lives, gambling can be their escape route or ticket to enjoyment. It can help ‘mask’ life’s problems hounding them. For people who are craving for success, winning can be perceived as success making them vulnerable to repeat the process over and over again.
An occasional game of roulette is okay, but you need to watch out for the signs which tell you that your penchant for gambling is turning into an addiction.
Signs that Spell Gambling Addiction
The initial part of your therapy should begin with identification. Realizing that you have a gambling addiction will give you a sense of direction in terms of treatment. Here are some signs to look out for:
What Can I Do To Stop Gambling Addiction
- you cannot stop
- you place bets, losing which puts you in a further sticky situation
- when you lose, you bet more to the point of selling personal items or avoiding paying bills
- you become belligerent or defensive about money
- you isolate yourself from the rest
- you lose interest in other hobbies or any form of socializing
- you have incessant thoughts pertaining to gambling
- you lie and hide it from others
- you feel elated when risking larger amounts of money
- you shirk away from responsibilities or relationships
- you feel depressed and miserable when you can’t gamble
- you have suicidal thoughts when you cannot gamble
What Can I Do To Stop Gambling Winnings
Indeed, one can effectively stop gambling through self hypnosis. But like any other addiction treatment, it cannot give you results overnight. There will be times that resistance to gambling cravings can leave you feeling overwhelmed. Do not push too hard. Just go with the flow and continue working towards recovery with constant practice of self-hypnosis. By and by, your brain will be ‘rewired’ leading to a much productive life free of any gambling addiction.