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Gambling may be one of the most entertaining activities in your free time. But as with everything in life, it can stop being fun and become a problem if you do it in excess. One of the most popular Google searches is how to bypass Gamstop. Gamstop is a self-exclusion program to help you control your gambling habits, and while there are some ways around it, it is still very efficient within its limitations.
Gambling is a form of entertainment not limited to casinos or bingo halls; it includes scratch cards, slot machines and sports betting as well. As you can see, many options are offered, and most look very attractive to players.
Unfortunately, not everyone plays gambling the same way, which may become a problem for some players. This article aims to find specific signs to help you realise that you have a gambling problem or may know someone who is struggling.
The good thing is that the first step to treating a problem is to admit the problem exists. Therefore, the sole purpose of this article is to help and encourage people to take the first leap to overcome their addiction.
Nowadays, gambling is very accessible with all the online options available. Many sites offer different games in one place, so many players can just hide behind their bedroom walls. Simply put, denying and lying about any addiction is a true sign of a problem and is the same with all other addictions. Gambling addicts are usually scared their peers will judge them, so they lie and hide. Here are some signs of gambling addiction:
Spending more than you can afford to lose - This is a very typical situation and one that is very hard to spot. This is because gamblers with addiction usually think it is a one-time thing and that they will control it better the next time. But unfortunately, they do not. Casual players usually spend some money here and there, and the money they can afford to lose is no more than the cost of a few drinks. Some even use crypto instead of real money at online casinos, which is very different for a compulsive player.
It is not only about the money spent Their lives get stuck so deep into gambling that they neglect work (their primary source of income to sustain the addiction), family and relationships. If not treated on time, they end up broke and alone.
Mood swings - When someone dives into addiction, it is usually to mask emotions and escape from overwhelming life situations. Although this is many times done unconsciously. Unfortunately, when the addiction takes control over someone’s life, these haunting situations are fed and stimulated, mainly manifesting in mood swings and changes.
Addicted people get aggravated and irritable and tend to fall into deeper depression. This creates a vicious circle that is very hard to escape without help. Therefore, if you pay attention, you can see how all these pointers we discuss in the article affect each other and relate; depression leads to addiction, which leads to depression.
Draining out your money - This is obvious: spending all your money on addiction is definitely not good. Compulsive gamblers usually get sucked into a downward spiral that destroys them financially. At this point, most gamblers with problems are already aware of the problem. So it is a perfect moment to seek help.
Trying hard to recover the losses in gambling - Compulsive gambling is a particular type of addiction known as a process addiction, which creates compulsive behaviour. Part of the problem comes when the gambler tries to recover from the losses, thinking they are in control of the results.
Part of the fun of gambling is the chance you can never control. That is why it is so exciting to win and makes it a fun game for most people. Unfortunately, there are no odds or lucky charms; it is just chance. If you believe you will make up for the lost money, that is one of the big flags telling you the game stopped being fun and it is time to quit.
Stealing or borrowing money to gamble - This is a big red flag. This comes by the hand of losing jobs and ending relationships with friends and family. There are two problems here. On the one hand, borrowing money for gambling or paying lost bets is very dangerous since there is a high probability that you will never be able to return the money, and it becomes even worse if you ask for money from banks or loan sharks. On the other hand, stealing is always wrong, no matter the scenario. But stealing money to gamble is an undeniable sign that you can’t control your emotions.
If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to steal or borrow money to gamble, you should discuss it with your close ones. You will be surprised at how willing people are to help when you speak from the heart.
Many of these symptoms or signs may be obvious to those who are not addicted. Admitting you have a problem is the first step to resolving it, and then there are many institutions and treatments. If you think you have a problem, do not be afraid or ashamed of talking to your loved ones. As we said before, gambling addiction is no different than any other addiction, and as with all others, there is a way out.
Gambling is a form of entertainment not limited to casinos or bingo halls; it includes scratch cards, slot machines and sports betting as well. As you can see, many options are offered, and most look very attractive to players.
When the game stops being a game
Unfortunately, not everyone plays gambling the same way, which may become a problem for some players. This article aims to find specific signs to help you realise that you have a gambling problem or may know someone who is struggling.
The good thing is that the first step to treating a problem is to admit the problem exists. Therefore, the sole purpose of this article is to help and encourage people to take the first leap to overcome their addiction.
Lying about your gambling frequency
Nowadays, gambling is very accessible with all the online options available. Many sites offer different games in one place, so many players can just hide behind their bedroom walls. Simply put, denying and lying about any addiction is a true sign of a problem and is the same with all other addictions. Gambling addicts are usually scared their peers will judge them, so they lie and hide. Here are some signs of gambling addiction:
Spending more than you can afford to lose - This is a very typical situation and one that is very hard to spot. This is because gamblers with addiction usually think it is a one-time thing and that they will control it better the next time. But unfortunately, they do not. Casual players usually spend some money here and there, and the money they can afford to lose is no more than the cost of a few drinks. Some even use crypto instead of real money at online casinos, which is very different for a compulsive player.
It is not only about the money spent Their lives get stuck so deep into gambling that they neglect work (their primary source of income to sustain the addiction), family and relationships. If not treated on time, they end up broke and alone.
Mood swings - When someone dives into addiction, it is usually to mask emotions and escape from overwhelming life situations. Although this is many times done unconsciously. Unfortunately, when the addiction takes control over someone’s life, these haunting situations are fed and stimulated, mainly manifesting in mood swings and changes.
Addicted people get aggravated and irritable and tend to fall into deeper depression. This creates a vicious circle that is very hard to escape without help. Therefore, if you pay attention, you can see how all these pointers we discuss in the article affect each other and relate; depression leads to addiction, which leads to depression.
Draining out your money - This is obvious: spending all your money on addiction is definitely not good. Compulsive gamblers usually get sucked into a downward spiral that destroys them financially. At this point, most gamblers with problems are already aware of the problem. So it is a perfect moment to seek help.
Trying hard to recover the losses in gambling - Compulsive gambling is a particular type of addiction known as a process addiction, which creates compulsive behaviour. Part of the problem comes when the gambler tries to recover from the losses, thinking they are in control of the results.
Part of the fun of gambling is the chance you can never control. That is why it is so exciting to win and makes it a fun game for most people. Unfortunately, there are no odds or lucky charms; it is just chance. If you believe you will make up for the lost money, that is one of the big flags telling you the game stopped being fun and it is time to quit.
Stealing or borrowing money to gamble - This is a big red flag. This comes by the hand of losing jobs and ending relationships with friends and family. There are two problems here. On the one hand, borrowing money for gambling or paying lost bets is very dangerous since there is a high probability that you will never be able to return the money, and it becomes even worse if you ask for money from banks or loan sharks. On the other hand, stealing is always wrong, no matter the scenario. But stealing money to gamble is an undeniable sign that you can’t control your emotions.
If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to steal or borrow money to gamble, you should discuss it with your close ones. You will be surprised at how willing people are to help when you speak from the heart.
Conclusion
Many of these symptoms or signs may be obvious to those who are not addicted. Admitting you have a problem is the first step to resolving it, and then there are many institutions and treatments. If you think you have a problem, do not be afraid or ashamed of talking to your loved ones. As we said before, gambling addiction is no different than any other addiction, and as with all others, there is a way out.
