What is it?
Gambling is for those who want to try their luck of obtaining a greater value of money by risking a significant amount from their own pockets. However, this leisure activity can turn into a compulsive disorder once the person gets stuck in the cycle uncontrollably. Compulsive gambling is that insatiable drive to gamble money away even when the person eventually loses all of it. Nothing seems to stop the gambler from the activity even in the face of broken relationships, loss of savings, piled-up debts, and so forth.
Sometimes, those experiencing compulsive gambling would resort to the activity for relief from helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression. However, it only worsens the state of their disorder. Gambling problems are often associated with other conditions such as mental health disorders, substance abuse disorders and the like. Thus, it is important to have themselves checked to recover from the disorder and from other underlying problems associated with gambling.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Compulsive gambling disorder can get worse if not identified immediately. It’s important to know when to seek professional medical help to overcome your disorder. If you are experiencing the following symptoms, consider getting help as soon as possible:
- Constantly looking for ways to gamble money and in increasing amounts each time
- Restlessness when trying to stop gambling
- Feeling irritable when being stopped from gambling
- Using gambling as an escape from real-life problems
- Trying to get back lost money by gambling more
- Lying to family members or others
- Illegally obtaining money (theft or fraud) meant for gambling
- Mental health problems such as anxiety or depression
What are the problems it causes?
Uncontrollable gambling also poses problems on the individual’s mental health. It also negatively affects the gambler’s social and financial situations. From loss of finances to loss of trust, the varying problems caused by gambling can multiply tenfold if not addressed properly:
- Losing relationships
- Loss of money and savings
- Accumulated debt
- Police arrest as a result of theft or fraud
- Losing a job and other work opportunities
- School problems
- Arguments with other people over money
- Insufficient food to eat
- Loss of shelter and other necessities due to money problems
- Suicidal tendencies caused by regret and shame
Receiving treatment for Gambling
If you or your loved one needs help overcoming gambling disorder, Phoenix Rising Addiction Center can provide the best treatment plan for you. We will help you develop practices to control your urge of gambling money away. Our team will also help you address other mental health issues that you may be experiencing along with your gambling problem. Call to speak to Admissions about the program at 949-518-0345. Phoenix Rising Addiction Center services Orange County, Southern California residents.
