Gambling Addiction’s Risks
Gambling may be a pastime for some, but it has the potential to become an addiction.
Simply take a chance and you could win big! The allure of quick cash is strong. What if you could buy a lottery ticket for a $1 and win millions? You begin by purchasing one ticket, then another, and so on, but you never win anything significant. You could develop a gambling addiction.
You may win $20 and use it to purchase additional tickets. It’s only a small step from buying a lottery ticket at the convenience shop to pulling a chair up to the slot machines in a casino if you’ve caught the gambling bug.
There are so many internet gambling sites that everyone, including children, can wager. Teenage gambling is on the rise. The age limits are plainly stated on the websites, but are they enforced?
Teens are three times as likely than adults to develop a gambling addiction. Before they’re even old enough to receive a driver’s license, some people pile up thousands of dollars in gambling debt!
Gambling is a hidden addiction since it is more likely to be done behind closed doors than on a night out with friends at a casino. Gambling addiction can take over many facets of your life as it grows.
A gambling addiction affects up to 4% of Americans. You’re an action gambler if you enjoy the excitement of risking money in the hopes of winning large. However, if you’re more prone to gamble when you’re sad or going through a difficult time in your life, you’re an escapist gambler. Women are more prone to engage in escapist gambling, whilst men are more likely to engage in action gambling.
You should seek help if you notice you’re addicted to gambling and it’s taking over your life. You won’t be able to defeat this on your own. Gambling addiction is just as powerful as drug or alcohol addiction. Here are a few tips to help you overcome your gambling addiction:
- Inform your significant other or a close friend. As you face your challenge, ask for their help.
- Limit your financial resources. Get rid of your credit and debit cards so you don’t have access to easy credit. Keep your wallet to a minimum and only carry tiny quantities of cash.
- Take a different course. Stay away from places where you could be tempted to gamble.
- Avoid gambling with persons who encourage you to do so. Change your cell phone number or email address if necessary to prevent them from contacting you.
Find a Gambler’s Anonymous group near you. Your family is welcome to join you at this meeting so that they are aware of what is to come. Also, choose an experienced counselor who can work with you one-on-one.
