Gambling and Addiction

You only have to be 16 to put a bet on in this country and when the National Lottery started up a whole new level of gambling took off. Just today, as I’m writing this, it’s all over the news that the amount of money we spend on gambling has gone up drastically. You can put a bet on at the bookies on literally anything Fulham winning the Premiership, Gary Barlow having a number one record or Elvis landing with aliens from Mars…if you wanna waste your money. Then there’s scratch cards, the bingo, casinos and obviously the lottery. However there is a very dark flipside to this, gambling is powerfully addictive and easily draws people in, to the way of compulsive gambling.

So what is compulsive gambling?

"There are many ways of describing it of compulsive gambling but Gamblers Anonymous (the leading help service) see it as an illness, which can never be cured and gets worse if it is not admitted, but it can be contained. A compulsive gambler is described as a person whose gambling has caused growing and continuing problems in many departments of life. They’re a very sick person and often they see themselves as weak and no good. Compulsive gambling seems to be an emotional problem and it creates so many other problems without a solution. Obviously there are financial problems but these are often less serious than the family, relationship, job and legal problems. It can rip friends and family apart and change lives drastically. Compulsive gambling has nothing to do with the occupation or age of the individual who it is affecting; it seems not to be because of influences around us but from an inner imbalance."

Ok, what are some of the factors that could cause a person to be a compulsive gambler?

• Inability And Unwillingness To Accept Reality. Usually this is through escaping into the dream world of gambling. Commonly a compulsive gambler sees that the gambling will bring all the things that they ever wanted for them and their friends and family. They feel if they keep gambling their way they will eventually make that big win. Unfortunately this never seems to happen and these dreams never come true and even when they do win, it is not enough. When they lose the gambling becomes desperate and reckless as they try to get to those dreams. No one can convince the compulsive gambler that they’re living this dream world and without this world they probably couldn’t exist day to day.

• Emotional Insecurity: The compulsive gambler only feels safe and comfortable when they’re gambling. The G.A. reports that often their members say things like member say, "The only place I really felt like I belonged was when I was in a gambling. I felt secure and comfortable, I knew I was destroying myself yet, at the same time, I had a certain sense of security."

• Immaturity: A desire to have all the good things in life without any great effort seems the common character pattern of the problem gambler. Many G.A. members accept the fact that they were unwilling to grow up. Subconsciously they felt they could avoid mature responsibility through wagering on the spin of a wheel or the turn of a card and so the struggle to escape responsibility finally became a subconscious obsession.

• Strong Inner Urge To Be A "Big Shot": They need to have an image and a feeling of being all-powerful, even if it means being antisocial and nasty for others to see. However this couldn’t be further from the truth as most of the things achieved in the world are done without betting. World leaders and powerful businessmen have done great things without knowing one card from another or which way the horses run round the course.

• Subconsciously Want To Lose To Punish Themselves: There is evidence among G.A. members to support this theory.

What symptoms does a compulsive gambler show?

"Well see the G.A.’s checklist for signs but compulsive gamblers often do it in binges and then go for periods without. This still means they have a problem and when they are not they might show signs of the following:

• No constructive thinking.
• Nervousness
• Irritability
• Frustration
• Indecision
• Continued breakdown in personal relationships

How can a compulsive gambler stop and get over the problem?

"Compulsive gamblers must admit they have a problem to themselves, accept it is an illness and have the desire to get well and many go through terrifying experiences before they finally admit it. Simply saying ‘I’m not gonna gamble anymore’, won’t be enough, compulsive gamblers can stop for long periods but simple things may set them off again and they’re caught back in the downward spiral. Seeking help from somewhere like Gamblers Anonymous and admitting your problem with them is hard to do but is the best way to start. It won’t work though is you cannot, or will not, accept and face the facts about this illness. Friends and loved ones can end their support BUT only you can make that decision."

Can you ever gamble again if you’re a compulsive gambler?

"The simple and only answer is…NO. One small bet would be like a recovering alcoholic just having one small drink, there’s no such thing. As one bet might not at first bring back the problem but in all cases it will nearly take the compulsive gambler back to their old ways. The obsession returns and the problems come back. Avoid that first bet, even if it’s tossing for who’s gonna buy some drinks or even a go on a scratchcard."

If you think you may be a compulsive gambler then call the G.A. helpline on 020 7384 3040 or visit the website @ www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk, where you can e-mail a GA member direct and confidentially and get the telephone umber for the G.A in your area.

If you or anybody you know are having problems with gambling try the following places for help and support @ the Addictions Links Page.

Read:

R U A Compulsive Gambler?

Gamblers Anonymous

by ChrisM