Why Is It Important To Seek Professional Help For Gambling Addiction?
It is estimated that around 0.9% of Spaniards will develop a gambling addiction at some point in their lives.
This is a psychological alteration that, although it is very normalized in many social circles, requires therapeutic support as soon as possible, because its effects are reflected in a wide variety of severe problems.
Throughout this article you will find a summary of these harmful effects of gambling addiction, and several guidelines about what to do about this pathology
As its name indicates, gambling addiction is a type of addictive disorder in which all the fundamental characteristics of these pathologies occur, among which it is worth highlighting dependence on a certain pattern of behavior and the need to go deeper and deeper into these behaviors to avoid discomfort
However, unlike what happens with drug addiction, in this case the person does not feel that they need to consume a certain psychoactive substance, but rather the problem is based on the need to play games of chance (although it must be clarified that it also video game addiction exists as a separate category).
These are the most characteristic symptoms of gambling addiction, and the signs of the extent to which this disorder represents a problem that goes beyond the simple hobby of betting.
1. Appearance of a feeling of discomfort if a period of time goes by without playing
One of the distinctive characteristics of this disorder is that Do not take advantage of simple well-being by participating in games of chance but what drives action is, above all, avoiding the discomfort caused by the fact that one is not playing.
2. Need to bet more and more
This need is expressed both qualitatively and quantitatively: Gambling is becoming an increasingly important part of a person’s life.
3. Use of deception to ask for money and hide liquidity problems
To avoid arousing suspicion about the instability generated by the addiction (something that could lead others to pressure him to end the gambling habit), the person He tries to hide his financial problems, in order to have easier access to loans
4. Poor anger management and tendency to be irritable
Something as simple as spending many hours without playing It makes the person see anything that means postponing those sessions even more as an intolerable obstacle or anything that distracts you from thinking about and fantasizing about this topic.
5. Tendency to play secretly
This is another of the behavioral patterns associated with hiding the existence of the pathology. For example, it takes the form of going to the casino without telling anyone or participating in poker games by locking themselves in the bedroom, etc.
Along with the development of this disorder, emotions associated with discomfort arise, especially anxiety and depression. In fact, People diagnosed with this condition are statistically more likely to suffer from suicidal ideation
What solutions are there to this disorder?
Gambling addiction can be overcome, but all solutions involve seeking professional help and starting a treatment process. In this sense, You must take these criteria into account to know how to find a good therapy option
Are you looking for addiction treatment?
If you are looking for treatment options for addictive disorders, whether drug addiction or pathological gambling and other behavioral addictions, contact us.
Llaurant la Llum is a detoxification center specialized in the treatment of addictions both through outpatient care and through our residential treatment program, both based on methodologies supported by scientific evidence. Our residential admission center is located in Picasent (Valencia) and our outpatient office is in the center of Valencia, next to the City of Arts and Sciences.
