Gambling Addiction
Introduction
If you find yourself spending an excessive amount of time gambling it can be a struggle to control the behavior if it provides you with a sense of relief– especially, if the activity assists you in dealing with emotional outbursts. If you find that gambling is a way for you to escape from reality and the betting is worsening it's important for you to get help for the behavior before it destroys the stability that you do have. There are ways for you to control and manage the triggers to reduce the activity or eliminate it altogether.
Compulsive gambling is an impulse disorder difficult to control being that it acts as a form of stress relief. Even if you are aware that you're hurting yourself and the people around you – the behavior may continue regardless of the consequences associated with the risk. Since this is an addiction you might use the activity to deal with high and low emotions. As you spend more time chasing losses it can alter your financial position and relationships with loved ones. It's especially dangerous if the odds of betting are against you and you do not have the money for the bet in the first place. If you feel that gambling is getting in the way of your balance and the ability to make decisions rationally you can get help from a counselor who will help you learn how to stop the impulsive behavior before you lose support and stability.
When a Gambling Addiction Can Harm Us
A gambling addiction (like other impulsive behavior) has the power to take over your sense of decision-making and cause you to take high risks without considering the consequences. Frequent gambling may tear down finances and your ability to manage money. Being that it is a way to escape from reality the constant need for betting can keep you from caring for you responsibilities, relationships and job duties. It's common that gamblers enjoy the 'rush,' even if they experience repeated unsuccessful efforts. Gambling addictions can cause you to bet more if you have already lost money and become irritable if you're forced to stop the activity. In an attempt to quit it's common to experience a loss of control and begin lying about gambling to friends and family. For some this addiction can cause you to commit illegal acts such as fraud or theft in an attempt to bet with more money. You can jeopardize an important relationship or job opportunity if you cannot keep yourself from wanting to feel the excitement that comes from betting. Counseling is designed to treat the behavior by recognizing what emotions motivate your want to find relief. If you deal with stress, worry and fear while you're not participating in the activity it's vital that you reach out and find help from an extra support system before your decisions cause your health to worsen.
How a Gambling Addiction Affects Other Relationships
Gambling addictions can extend beyond our needs and affect friends and family in more ways than one. They can be severely impacted by decisions as it also changes their own relationship, finances and professional life. Being that this is classified as a health disorder the effects are visible toward those closest to you. If you spend the majority of your free time gambling, neglecting family and avoiding responsibilities it takes a direct effect on others. Family members and friends can feel worn out if they've tried everything to get rid of the activity. They can come to a point in which they feel that the situation is hopeless; especially, since the desire to stop must come from the gambler. Making this type of change takes effort but wanting to stop the impulsive behavior willingly is most important as you attend therapy and learn how to control your decision-making regardless of how difficult it may seem. Rescuing yourself and the balance in your life is essential for your wellbeing.
How Therapy Can Help
Although the desire to gamble is challenging to overcome you can learn recovery skills and resist the urge if you choose to get help and attend therapy. By working with a therapist you'll learn skills that teaches you how to use self-talk so that you can remain focused on coping with your emotions rather than covering them up. You'll learn how to recognize an impulse and avoid situations that trigger the want to gamble. By choosing to participate in treatment you are making the first step toward preventing a loss of finances and emotional soundness. If you are recognizing risk factors it's important that you avoid this activity in any form. Counseling can help you cope with feelings or desires that cause you to take the risk. A therapist will assist you in identifying with your want for satisfaction so that you can learn how to manage your impulses. Overcoming an addiction can take time and it's common to go through relapses. By getting help from the people around you and obtaining therapy for the behavior you can benefit from learning how to control yourself and do so for health reconciliation.
Help Us Improve This Article
Did you find an inaccuracy? We work hard to provide accurate and scientifically reliable information. If you have found an error of any kind, please let us know by sending an email to contact@theravive.com, please reference the article title and the issue you found.
Share Therapedia With Others