Gambling

Gambling can be rewarding for many reasons. Gambling is a way to escape and avoid unpleasant feelings. Gambling can be used as a quick way to make a lot of money, or chase money that you lost. Addicted gamblers initially do not recognize their gambling as a problem only remembering the euphoria they felt when they won a big jackpot, and distract from the losses as the fantasy of bad luck. Gamblers have superstitions, developing routines like blowing on dice, having a lucky number, table, and machine.

When you compulsively gamble:

"You lose of control over gambling. The loss of control increases the risk you take. The risk involves an immediate reward. Gamblers most often develop unique strategies called skills which are “fixed beliefs” utilized to reduce the lack of uncertainty of losing but does not eliminate the risk."

Gambling today include casino games, slot and video poker machines, internet gambling, the lottery, horse racing, and betting on team sports such as football or baseball. Other types of gambling include betting on individual skills, real estate speculation and the stock market, and national elections.

Addicted (Compulsive) Gambler:

Addicted Gambling involves is a person who is spending time and money gambling in such a way that it is harmful to you, your family, and often career.

The main symptom is a loss of control over gambling. Other symptoms include:

Gambling longer than intended Betting over one’s head; Lying to family or others about how much you are gambling Missing work or family commitments because your gambling Being distracted from your life, family, and career thinking about gambling

Your loss of control can be described in the following ways:

Gambling will escalate, as one needs to take greater risks to maintain a certain level of excitement or to try to win back one’s money. You can’t stop gambling when you are ahead. If you win money, you feel you can win more by betting again. The luck runs out and addicted or compulsive gamblers will continue gambling until all your money is gone. You say they won’t gamble again find yourself gambling again, no matter how hard you try to stop the “hamster wheel” of addicted or compulsive gambling with the cycle of; feelings of shame; guilt; and depression.

You can heal here!