5 Ways to Recognize and Prevent Gambling Addiction
Gambling has its perks: the possibility of a win and the excitement of the game, but it also comes with a downside – addiction. This adverse effect is detrimental to the individuals involved, their families, and friends. It is essential to see the signs of a gambling addiction early to help the victims or yourself and get the appropriate help. Here are five things to look out for and ways to prevent a gambling addiction.
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There is a Constant Need to Hide Gambling Activities
If a person has a gambling addiction, they do their best to keep it a secret from the people around them, and where there are secrets, there will also be lies to hide gambling activities. All of this would be in an effort to keep their habits low-key. This tends to affect their finances and living conditions, and if left unchecked, there would be a total downward spiral if help isn’t rendered early.
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Choosing Gambling Over Relationships and Responsibilities
Gambling is meant to be entertainment, but it can get messy when you choose this “enjoyment” over your responsibilities. Gambling is not a problem fixer or a business where you can make money, but after one or two consecutive wins, some people lose sight of this. To “make money,” they let go of responsibilities to their families, work, and cherished relationships.
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Avoid Chasing Lost Money
If you love gambling but want to put measures in place to avoid addiction, not chasing lost money is one thing to do. Any amount put into a game should be something you can comfortably let go of. Once the game is lost, be strong-willed enough to let it go and not keep playing to regain the money. It also shouldn’t be money set aside for important things like house rent or tuition.
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Set a Limit on the time and money spent on Gambling
If you are going to gamble and keep addiction at bay, you have to be disciplined. Before every game, place a limit on the money and time you can spend at the casino (physical or online). There should be a point where you stop, regardless of whether you made any wins. Treat gambling like an expense, not a means to make money off a game.
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Avoid Alcohol While Gambling
You may have heard many times that alcohol clouds judgment; well, it is true. The effect of alcohol on the mind is distortion. It gives a false confidence, allowing you to feel invincible. This results in poor judgment and a lack of risk assessment. While drunk or intoxicated, you might just keep playing away money and not realize it till you’re sober. By then, it may be too late as there is a likelihood of incurring gambling debts.
Conclusion
Gambling is fun, but what is not is an addiction to the game. If you want to gamble, you have to make conscious efforts to checkmate yourself and curb excesses. The above signs and ways to prevent an addiction will be helpful. You can also get an accountability partner to help keep you in line.
