What is Problem Gambling?
Problem gambling or gambling addiction (ludomania) is an uncontrollable desire to gamble continuously regardless of negative consequences or a desire to stop gambling.
Problem gambling usually arises when a player experiences a big win and the happiness they gain from that experience, even if it is purely by chance or beginners’ luck. Some people are then lead to seek that same feeling of excitement or adrenaline rush again and again even if it means that they are at a financial loss in doing so.
Due to this excitement from the win, there tends to be a craving or urge to try to claw back the losses and re-create the excitement that was welcomed during the initial big win. This type of behaviour can create an addiction to gambling as the player is unable to resist to try to recoup their money.
Identifying when gambling is becoming a problem
There is difficulty in defining the exact moment that gambling becomes a problem as it is different for everyone. If you, your family or friends think your gambling habits have become an issue then maybe it is time to reach out and talk to a professional or reduce the amount you gamble or the frequency in which you gamble. Many myths associated with gambling include:
- If I keep gambling I will win eventually and recover what money I have lost
- I have no other option than gambling in order to regain financial security
- Gambling is my only solution in escaping from everyday stress
Why may it become difficult to stop Gambling?
Gambling habits can evolve and grow without you realising and it can begin to be a big part of your daily life, and that is where it can start to have a negative effect on yourself and even your family and friends. Someone who considers themselves or is considered by others to have a gambling problem often ask themselves why they simply can’t stop.Although extreme, as there is no substance involved, gambling can be categorised as an addiction, just as alcohol and drugs can become an addiction.
This can be the reason why even though they are desperate to stop, many people can struggle to regulate their gambling and need to try repeatedly to stop before being successful. Also, if a problem gambler manages to control their habit, when exposed to the temptation of gambling they are likely to find it difficult to control themselves and may start gambling heavily again.
Can Gambling affect your Mental Health?
Including the more common and obvious effects that problem gambling can have especially on your financial situation, it can also affect your mental health as a consequence. Have you ever experienced some or all of the following due to gambling?
Extreme mood swings
Having a feeling that gambling is the only thing that makes you happy
Difficulty in sleeping
Depression or anxiety
Suicidal thoughts
Using gambling as a coping mechanism for other issues in your life
Some people may try to get away from feelings of depression or sadness by gambling, but sometimes gambling can exaggerate these feelings. Problem gambling can have a negative impact on someone’s mental health because of the highs and lows experienced with winning and losing. Anticipating what one would consider a big win can be very mentally draining but also exciting if successful. On the other hand, the devastation of losing can create a sense of sadness and despair.
Feelings like this can be more common when very large amounts of money are being staked. This increases the potential for the massive ‘high’ feeling when you win, but can also make the ‘low’ feeling when you lose a lot worse. This can explain why there may be an increased desire to chase the lost money or continue gambling straight away after a loss in order to try to reach that high and exciting feeling again.
Gambling becomes a problem when it has a negative impact on:
- Financial situation
- Physical or Mental Health
- School, work and other social activities
- Relationships with relatives and friends
Gambling may start out as something fun to do especially in the early days if you win, then people are more likely to continue playing in the hope that they will win some more and can regain that same happy feeling that they got when they had their biggest win. Problem gambling may start when a player loses, especially if it’s a big loss and it makes them feel down or depressed. Gambling can be a way out for people who have gone through a stressful change in life, like an illness or a divorce, issues in their relationship or worries about their financial situation
Below are some useful websites for your reference:
How would you know if someone has developed a gambling problem? Problem gambling can affect a person’s whole life and their loved ones, not just their financial situation.
If you feel that gambling is affecting your life and your loved ones, please seek HELP or get in touch, we CAN HELP YOU find HELP!
When people start to gamble during vulnerable periods in their lives and use it as a way to cope, it can lead to problem gambling. As stated on the Beat the Odds website: “Young people aged under 18 and people who’ve grown up in a home with a parent or grandparent with gambling issues have a higher risk than others of developing a gambling problem. (Beat the Odds)
“Even though there are no drugs or substances involved in gambling, problem gambling has a similar effect on the brain as drug and alcohol addictions”. (Gambling Therapy – Protect your Friends & Family)
