Gambling Addiction and Problem Gambling

What is gambling addiction and problem gambling?

Gambling addiction—also known as pathological gambling, compulsive gambling or gambling disorder—is an impulse-control disorder. If you’re a compulsive gambler, you can’t control the impulse to gamble, even when it has negative consequences for you or your loved ones. You’ll gamble whether you’re up or down, broke or flush, happy or depressed, and you’ll keep gambling regardless of the consequences—even when you know that the odds are against you or you can’t afford to lose.

Of course, you can also have a gambling problem without being totally out of control. Problem gambling is any gambling behavior that disrupts your life. If you’re preoccupied with gambling, spending more and more time and money on it, chasing losses, or gambling despite serious consequences in your life, you have a gambling problem

It can happen to anyone from any walk of life:

Your gambling goes from a fun, innocuous diversion to an unhealthy preoccupation with serious consequences. Whether you bet on sports, scratch cards, roulette, poker, or slots—in a casino, at the track, or online—if your gambling becomes a problem, it can strain your relationships, interfere with work, and lead to financial disaster.

For compulsive gamblers, chasing losses is a seemingly endless cycle. It can bring shame and pain to you and to the ones you love most. From gambling, away money set aside for bills to stealing money from family and friends, compulsive gamblers make decisions that in no way reflect the responsible, loving people they are outside of their addictions. It may feel like you can’t stop, but with the right help, you can overcome a gambling problem or addiction and regain control of your life

Gambling Addiction Signs

• A pre-occupation with gambling activities and obtaining money to gamble.
• An irresistible urge to gamble with an investment in the high or buzz provided by such activity.
• An increase in the frequency and amounts spent on a bet and taking greater risks to achieve the desired excitement or escape.
• Loss of control over the time and money spent on gambling – eventually risking more than they can afford to lose.
• Developing an emotional dependency on gambling as a strategy to cope with anxiety, tension, worry or stress.
• Denial of the problems.
• Compulsive gamblers often do not seek help until they are a year’s salary or more in debt.
• Compulsive gamblers often (but not always) have strong feelings of wanting to commit suicide.

 Get Help at Tabor Group

If you or a loved one are suffering from an addiction, get help today. We can help you recover in a healthy, friendly environment and beat your addiction. Don’t hesitate to contact one of our counselors today for information at +353 (21) 488 7110 or email us at Email Us .We can help you.