The lines between gambling and addiction have blurred with the emergence of technology. In the traditional sense, gambling involves risking one’s money and possessions for the chance to win a prize. With the different ways of gambling, the symptoms of gambling addiction have become more difficult to identify. The urge to play has also become stronger, making gambling more difficult to control. There are a few signs and symptoms that could indicate that you may have a gambling problem.
Problem gambling
Problem gambling can occur at any age. Children are at risk of developing the habit as young as seven. Many games ask for micro-transactions, and they become addictive in this way. People who work in gambling venues are also susceptible to developing this condition. Problem gambling is often referred to as a hidden addiction because it has no outward signs or physical symptoms. Problem gambling requires an individual to admit that they have a problem and seek help.
In addition to the financial impact of gambling, it can have negative effects on an individual’s relationships, physical health, and legal standing. If unchecked, problem gambling can result in domestic violence and other serious problems. It can even affect a person’s work performance and quality of life. Fortunately, there are many available treatment options for those affected by this disorder. Despite its prevalence, treatment options for problem gamblers vary widely.
Signs and symptoms
A person with a gambling problem may hide his or her behavior or lie about where he or she is gambling. Gambling often results in financial issues or disputes with other people. The person may also have changes in sleep, sex, eating or drinking patterns. He or she may also take advantage of the money of friends and relatives. A person with a gambling problem may also steal or deceive family members. If these signs sound familiar, it’s important to get help from a licensed addiction counselor.
Many people with a gambling problem deny that they have a problem and their friends often notice it. Pathological gamblers may have a number of signs that indicate that they have an addiction to gambling. In some cases, these individuals may lie about their gambling activities in order to cover up the fact that they’ve lost money. While gambling can make a person feel better or less anxious, it can also affect their health and cause other problems.
Treatment
If you are a person with a gambling addiction, you may find it helpful to seek help from a mental health professional. Your primary care physician may be able to determine whether your gambling problem is a result of mental health issues. The doctor will discuss your gambling habits and ask permission to discuss them with your family members, as confidentiality laws prevent your doctor from disclosing medical information without your permission. Some drugs may trigger compulsive behaviors, so a physical exam may be necessary to rule out any health problems.
Some treatment for gambling addiction involves outpatient and residential treatment programs. Individuals in these programs usually receive nine or more hours of structured therapy each week and can manage their own schedules. Many treatment programs are step-downs from residential treatment facilities, and can also prevent patients from returning to higher levels of care. Moreover, research suggests that psychotherapy is more effective than medications for treating gambling addiction. Psychotherapy methods like systematic exposure therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy can be effective in reducing the urge to gamble.
Risk assessment tools
A score card or radar chart, for example, displays the risk potentials of various gambling products. The assessment method uses concrete products, rather than groups, suppliers, or companies. For example, a score card showing the “risk class” of a lottery ticket could be printed and displayed on a gambling premises. The visual representation of risks and hazards is helpful to decision-makers, as it provides a clear understanding of the factors influencing gambling behavior.
The main aim of these tools is to decrease harms caused by gambling, but existing research suggests that some features of RG do not reduce harms. Furthermore, most previous studies focused on gambling data, rather than gambling behavior itself. However, there are few studies on gamblers’ experiences of RG tools, which may shed light on their usage and increase their effectiveness. In one study, we explored gamblers’ perception of the Playscan risk assessment tool. We asked 757 participants to rate Playscan’s accuracy and overall usefulness.