Gambling can be a fun novelty or a social activity enjoyed on an occasional basis. However, when it becomes a habit, it can become an obsession. The gambling becomes more frequent without the individual’s knowledge and it can cause stress. If you are a victim of problem gambling, you can take steps to change your behaviour. There are many organisations which offer counselling for people with gambling problems and help for affected family members. There are many benefits to understanding why you gamble, and understanding it can lead to changes in your life.
Problem gambling
There are numerous different causes of problem gambling among teenagers. While some are peer related, others involve more serious factors. Among youth, the most common gambling activities are peer-related, while older youth are more likely to gamble in more accessible forms such as casinos and lotteries. Some countries have legalized slot machines for adolescents in family recreation centers and arcades. These activities are more likely to cause gambling problems among youth if they start gambling at a younger age and if they have both parents who gamble.
Some characteristics of problem gambling in adolescents include adolescent behavior, poor academic performance, and conflict with parents and teachers. Adolescent problem gamblers often report greater levels of depression and anxiety than their adult counterparts. Behavioral symptoms of problem gambling include truancy, absenteeism, poor school work, and aggressive behavior. It is not always easy to determine whether depression and anxiety are the underlying causes of problem gambling among teenagers, but they do tend to overlap.
Signs of a problem
Although the physical and emotional symptoms of a gambling problem are similar to other addictive behaviors, the latter is often less visible. Nonetheless, these problems can be a warning sign for a gambling addiction, since they can result in lost money, job loss, and even home foreclosure. Likewise, the gambler may be losing sleep and thus his skin may become pale. His skin may also become sallow, and he might suffer from acne or dark circles under his eyes.
Often referred to as a “hidden disease,” problem gambling is not easy to spot. The physical symptoms of drug addiction are more visible, but the mental symptoms of gambling addiction are often subtle and hard to detect. Symptoms can range from anxiety to depression to sleeplessness. In addition, an addicted gambler may also show signs of irritability, depression, and sleep disorder. Lastly, an addict may begin to lose weight and experience a drowsy demeanor.
Treatment options
Those who are suffering from a gambling problem often find that outpatient or residential rehab is the best choice. Residential rehab offers time and professional support to help individuals understand the impact of their behavior and learn coping mechanisms. During treatment, residents learn how to manage stressful situations that trigger their gambling problems and develop new, healthier habits. The most common treatment method for gambling addiction is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which teaches people to identify the thoughts and emotions that trigger their addictive behaviors and work towards changing them.
A primary care physician can also help a person with a gambling problem. A physician can perform a physical exam and identify any health problems that might contribute to the problem. Using motivational interviewing techniques and cognitive behavior therapy may be effective strategies for treating a gambling problem. These methods aim to encourage the client to change their behaviors and reclaim their lives. Whether a person is motivated by their family members or is unable to stop, the goal is to improve their quality of life.
Preventing a problem
A problem with gambling can have detrimental consequences for a workplace. People with a gambling problem are preoccupied with the game and may exhibit psychiatric or psychosomatic symptoms. These people are often absent or inefficient at work. In severe cases, problem gamblers may steal goods from the workplace, embezzle funds, or steal property. Preventing a problem with gambling is an essential part of maintaining a healthy workplace. This paper describes some prevention measures.
One effective method to prevent problem gambling is to use school-based prevention programs. These programs are psychoeducational and aim to improve the students’ knowledge of gambling odds and combat maladaptive gambling cognitions. Although the effectiveness of such programs is controversial, they do improve gambling knowledge and attitudes among children and youth. For example, school-based gambling prevention programs encourage students to learn about the dangers of gambling and develop skills to deal with losses.
