Do You Need To Quit Gambling?
Legacy signals
Legacy popularity: 3,027 legacy views
There is a very fine line between problem gambling and gambling too much.
The critical sign of problem gambling, is often hidden from awareness, with denial.
Many gamblers typically do not know or realize they have a problem.
"Admitting you have a problem, or may have a problem" is the first step to recovery, unfortunately this realization normally only surfaces when a problem gambler hits rock bottom. If you are currently in the hole as a result of gambling derailment, stop digging and start building steps to help you get yourself back on track.
Even if you can admit that you have a gambling problem it does not necessarily mean you are safe from gambling problems or difficulties.
Many gamblers know they have a very real problem, but are addicted to the potential outcome of gambling. This type of problem gambler is addicted to thought of winning, the problem within this type of thinking is that gambler does not realize that for every $8000 they spend gambling they are lucky if they are able to win back $6000. This resulting net loss of $2000 or about 25% of total money bet, is what is required to run the casino.
Selective perception takes over the $2000 losing reality and replaces it with a winning hope that causes dopamine levels in your brain to rise and give you a feeling of euphoria, this in turn causes an addictive process in relation to gambling to manifest with you.
Once the the gamblers perception of reality is mistaken or over taken by selective perception and controlled by addictive thinking, the only route to cure the problem or treat the illness is to reprogram or refreshing how thinking occurs within you to help you atone to reality.
Gambling is as addictive as Cocaine, it is possible to become addicted to gambling in as few as six days. Both the thought of winning and the thoughts of losing streak can trigger an underlying addiction or intensify an existing addiction.
The unpredictability of a losing streak has it's own unique type of rush - which is typically very destructive to the gambler and his or her dependents and financial associates. The winning thought can be equally as destructive.
If you knowingly have an addictive style of thinking, it is advisable not to gamble at all. A gambling addiction can trigger many harmful consequences for yourself, your spouse, your children and your family and friends. For some people gambling is a fuel for addiction and addictive behaviours to manifest for other people gambling results in a poor choice.
Statistics suggest that approximately 50% of gaming revenues are received from the 5-8% of problem gamblers that exist in the general population.
Gambling problems can stem from personal issues that stretch as far back as childhood and they can be triggered by a variety of factors, the most typical of these factors including; Lack of a healthy social support network, money problems, debt problems, family difficulties, relationship difficulties, lack of purpose and hope – both essential human aspirations.
In order to help you better understand the warning signs and potential problems, it is advisable for you to read through the information available at www.stop-gambling.com. If you have any doubts with regards to your or a loved ones propensity to bad gambling habits purchase a copy of Shawn and Drew's 21 Steps to STOP gambling for you and/or your household.
Of all addictions gambling is especially dangerous. Unlike alcohol addiction, which slowly drains financial resources, gambling can wipe out a lifetime of savings in less than a week! For tips on protecting your family wealth from gambling loss please visit http://www.money-school.com/ - Wealth Protection Tips!
A clear head can help you to keep a realistic perspective, in regards to the dangers of gambling. If your perspective becomes compromised even slightly, the spiral downwards can turn ugly very quickly.
Please keep this in mind, as a general rule if you gamble (including buying lottery tickets, scratch and win tickets, bingo's, raffles, casino's, play poker, bet on horse races, or place bets on sporting events) more than 3 times per year or spend more than $1500 on gambling related activities or speculative investments, you would qualify as a problem gambler or someone who is at risk of becoming a problem gambler.
For More information or HELP TO QUIT GAMBLING Please Visit: nnwww.21stepstostopgambling.com nnnnn
Article author
About the Author
21 Steps to Stop Gambling (Program Designer and Author)
Further reading
Further Reading
Article
Living with an alcoholic – Shame
If you live with an alcoholic you will almost certainly feel shame. Some people will experience it to a very high level others less so but almost everyone who lives with an alcoholic experiences it to some degree. You will probably feel anxious that people will discover your secret, that they will judge you and, inevitably, will find you unacceptable to be around decent people. Seeing it written down like that it probably seems stupid. How could anyone feel that.
Related piece
Article
Myths About Drug Treatment
Myth #1: Drug addiction is voluntary behavior. A person starts out as an occasional drug user, and that is a voluntary decision. But as times passes, something happens, and that person goes from being a voluntary drug user to being a compulsive drug user. Why? Because over time, continued use of addictive drugs changes your brain -- at times in dramatic, toxic ways, at others in more subtle ways, but virtually always in ways that result in compulsive and even uncontrollable drug use. Myth #2: More than anything else, drug addiction is a character flaw.
Related piece
Article
What Do You Do and When
When you have a suspicion your teen is doing drugs, what do you do? First, learn as much as you can. Check out all of SelfGrowth.com for information on drug and alcohol use by teens. Know that there is help available for you and your child. In most communities, you can get help from your pediatrician, nurse, or other health care provider, a counselor at your child's school, or your faith community.
Related piece
Article
Is my partner an alcoholic?
Are you one of many people who live with someone who drinks heavily? Do you wonder whether your partner is an alcoholic. Well you are certainly not alone. For many people living with problem drinkers means agony and confusion wondering whether their partner is actually an alcoholic or whether they are making a fuss about nothing. This is a very real problem for many reasons.
Related piece