Gambling Addiction: A Problem of Society
Gambling refers to the act of wagering money on an activity with an uncertain result with the intention of winning something in return. Most often, gambling requires three components for it to exist: risk, consideration, and a reward. Risk can be measured by the probability of something happening, a person may choose to take an active role in limiting that probability by taking precautions, or they may choose to avoid the possible consequences of their actions in order to reduce the uncertainty of things. Consideration is a person’s emotional response to an event which may not have any physical effects on them such as losing a hand or drawing a card, while a reward is something which may either be tangible or intangible.
The best way to stop gambling is to recognize the behavior you are engaging in, the harm it causes to yourself and others, and the damage which may result if you do continue. It is never easy to give up something which has helped you through difficult times or has made you smile when things were sad; it is also not an easy task to let go of something which brings you financial and emotional comfort. However, if you do decide to stop gambling and want to learn how to stop gambling for good, there are some simple steps which can help.
There are a lot of different legal gambling activities which take place in the United States. Illegal gambling takes place in many different forms such as poker, craps, razzle-dazzle, roulette, blackjack, bingo, video poker machines, slot machines, and exotic betting games like keno. Though most states have legalized gambling and some have legalized all types of gambling, it is still against the law to operate these types of establishments in most states. Therefore, it is best to avoid any illegal gambling activities or at least work with licensed gambling operators in order to minimize your chances of getting into trouble.
The effects of gambling become much more pronounced and harmful if the gambler becomes addicted to gambling. Addiction is characterized by compulsive behavior or repeated acts of behavior that are characterized by substance abuse or dependence. Gambling as a form of addiction begins when a person learns that there is a loss of control over their outcome from gambling. If they continue to gamble, the habit becomes more ingrained and even more difficult to kick. Addiction leads to a negative impact on all areas of the gambler’s life including family, work, and social relationships.
The symptoms of gambling addiction include an irresistible need to gamble, a constant desire to gamble despite negative consequences to self or others, excessive involvement in gambling activities and frequent trips to places where gambling is possible. Some of the most common symptoms of gambling addiction include anger, feelings of guilt, fear, stress, depression, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, lack of success in relationships, and financial problems. Although some of these problems can be successfully addressed and healed, other problems such as addiction requires treatment from a professional that will be able to determine if the addiction is due to a mental health or addiction issue. Treatment for gambling addiction will likely require participation in 12-step programs that encourage the individual to take personal responsibility for their gambling behavior.
Treatment for gambling addiction will most likely include a number of lifestyle and behavior changes. These include removing all gambling paraphernalia from the home, keeping gambling expenditures to a minimum, keeping promises to stop gambling, having regular therapy and alcohol or drug counseling sessions, eliminating gambling as a form of relaxation, no longer participating in risky behaviors such as thievery, breaking property or credit card rules, avoiding people that have an influence on gambling behavior, including family and friends, stopping gambling at work, and joining or having sponsored recreational groups that give the individual the support they need to get out of the addiction cycle. Individuals who suffer from gambling addiction may also be required to attend AA meetings or participate in a local alcoholics anonymous group. Many states have specific laws and guidelines to help individuals recover from gambling problems and should be utilized for guidance.