It is very common to hear stories about people who spent all their money at the casino, lost everything they had, and then were told that you cannot be admitted into treatment unless you have a gambling problem.
This is not only untrue, but it also puts severe limitations in place for individuals seeking help for a gambling addiction.
It is important to note that most experts agree that less than 5% of those who visit a casino outpatient program actually meet full diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling.
There are several reasons why this happens, but one of the major ones is due to the stigma attached to gambling.
People with a gambling disorder feel shame and guilt about spending time at a casino, going through withdrawal, or running out of funds. They may even feel guilty about losing money while there.
In some cases, people will avoid visiting an emergency room because they do not want to admit to having a bad day and going to a casino. In these instances, their addictions get worse!
Luckily, recent developments have made it possible to provide better care to people with gambling disorders. Technology has allowed for more efficient ways to diagnose and treat your condition, and new treatments can reduce symptoms and prevent relapse.
Researchers are working hard to improve our understanding of how to best aid people with gambling problems. As such, strategies to manage your disease are growing every year.
Understanding gambling addiction
Addictive behaviors can occur in many areas, but one area that is gaining attention as people become more aware of them is how they are regulating emotions. This is an important factor to consider when talking about addictions because you will find it difficult to stop doing something if you lack motivation to do so.
Research shows that individuals who suffer from emotional regulation issues are eight times more likely to develop compulsive or pathological gambling than those that don’t.8 In fact, a large percentage of gamblers report experiencing symptoms of emotional regulation disorders such as irritability, mood swings, feelings of anger, depression, guilt, and/or nervousness before, during, and after games.9
Emotional regulation can be described as our ability to control our reactions to external and internal stimuli. For example, someone with good emotional regulation would be able to stay calm in situations where others might get upset or agitated. They could also regulate their own emotions well by using different strategies (for instance, thinking about happier things).
It may seem impossible at first glance to understand why someone would play casino games when they know that there is a chance they will lose everything they have. However, looking into the reasons behind their behavior can help identify what factors contribute to their habit and hopefully create opportunities for change.
Gambling disorders
There are three main types of gambling disorder. They include problem gamblers, social gamblers and recreational gamblers. People with a gambling disorder feel an urge to gamble more frequently and spend larger amounts of money doing so.
This can lead to significant negative consequences for you and your loved ones. It may also negatively affect your job or education opportunities. And it can put stressors on your relationships due to frequent arguments over money.
People with a gambling disorder often suffer from anxiety or depression before they go into a casino. This makes them seek out the excitement of betting large sums of money which then amplifies their symptoms.
There is no clear definition for what constitutes as suffering from a gambling disorder. But, there are some diagnostic criteria that must be met.
Ways to help when you’re around a gambler
When you are around someone who is gambling, it can be tricky to know how to respond. On one hand you want to encourage them to stop because you don’t want them to lose money, but at the same time you also need to realize that they may not feel like they have control over their spending.
Blaming others for their bad decisions will only make things worse so instead try these strategies.
It’s important to remember that people spend money in ways that differ from person to person. Some individuals seem to enjoy going out and drinking or eating expensive food, while other people learn through experience that large drinks and snacks are better made by yourself with less expensive ingredients.
People also vary in what types of games they prefer to play so there is no right or wrong way to discourage excessive betting.
If you notice signs of problem gambling, do your best to provide support and get appropriate treatment for the individual.
Know your limits
Before you start betting large sums of money, you should be aware of your personal limitations. If you feel that you can’t afford to lose more than what you have in savings, then don’t play casino games!
Casino gambling is an expensive hobby. There are always new ways to gamble coming out which makes it even easier to spend money. Technological advancements like online casinos has made it very easy to place bets from the comfort of your own home or office.
It is important to know your budget before letting yourself get carried away.
You should also understand how much money you want to keep in reserve for other things. For example, if you need money quickly for an unexpected bill, you may not be able to comfortably hold onto all of it.
Another thing to consider is whether you will be leaving the house when you are done playing. If so, would you be willing to risk having to go back home with no money?
If you do not think you will be able to resist the temptation of the game, then perhaps this isn’t the best way to enjoy casino gaming.
Reference: How To Stop Addiction To Alcohol And Other Drugs
Paraphrase: Setting appropriate financial boundaries can help prevent casino addictions.
Avoid spending all your money
It is very important to understand that gambling can become problematic when you spend more than you have in resources to do so. When you find yourself spending large amounts of money at the casino, this becomes problematic.
It is extremely common for people who gamble to begin with small stakes such as buying a coffee or using credit cards to go into it. However, as time passes, their betting levels rise slightly beyond what they were before.
However, what happens next is not okay and will only hurt them further. They end up spending much larger sums of money which increases their debt. This may also lead to problems outside of gaming since many casinos won’t let gamblers run out of funds.
There are several reasons why someone might develop an expensive habit of gambling. Some may feel stressed about work, family, or other life commitments, while others may be seeking some sort of emotional relief.
Whatever the reason, this needs to be addressed and stopped before it gets worse.
Tell your partner about your problems
If you feel that you are becoming more addicted to gambling, tell someone. This could be a professional therapist or counselor, your friend, family member, or coworker who has known you for a while, or even just yourself!
By telling someone, they can help you deal with the problem by talking you through it, supporting you during times when you may not want to talk, and helping you find ways to reduce or stop your gambling.
It may also give them tips or advice on how to cope with their day, or what they can do to prevent too much exposure to gambling.
There is no correct way to address gambling addiction, but speaking to people around you can help in many different ways.
Seek support from your family
When you go into a casino, it is very important to know what things make you feel bad or uncomfortable. This goes not only for yourself, but also for how others may be feeling.
If you are having trouble controlling your gambling, try talking to people about it. Ask close friends, family members, and colleagues if they have any tips that can help you control your spending.
You might find them helpful, but more likely you will learn something new! Many individuals struggle with gambling their own past experiences and those of loved ones who have lost money due to an accident or health issue may offer some helpful insights.
Everyone grieves in his or her own way, so don’t hesitate to discuss yours. Above all, remember that you are not alone – there are many other people out here struggling just like you.
Stay hydrated
When you’re spending lots of money on drinks, it can add up quickly! One alcoholic drink contains about 250 to 300 calories so if you spend $15 on alcohol, you’ll be drinking around 500–600 calories per hour!
That is not a good thing when most people are trying to lose weight. Drinking too much water can make someone feel bloated and uncomfortable which may distract them from their goal to lose weight.
You should also know that some fizzy beverages (sodas) have a lot of sugar in them which could contribute to extra calorie intake.
Many casinos offer free refreshments which can easily fill up your budget. Make sure to check out the discounts before buying anything else!
It’s important to stay hydrated while gambling as well. Unfortunately, many places don’t let you take bottles or bags into the venue which makes it more difficult to keep yourself properly supplied.
