Sports Betting Addiction: A New Profile In Gambling Addiction
In recent times we have found a change in the pattern of addictions, with behavioral addictions becoming more and more frequent, that is, those that are not based on substance consumption, but on behaviors.
Specific, With the emergence of new technologies and the fashion of sports betting, this type of gambling addiction is climbing the ranks in terms of frequency and severity in today’s society. Let’s see what sports betting addiction is like and what can be done against it.
The profile of the gambler has changed Years ago we could associate it with the image of the person in the bar playing slot machines, currently, although this profile and this addiction are still in force, we are faced with a younger profile. Generally, a young man who either plays from home, betting from a mobile application or with the computer, or goes to specific gambling halls to bet money.
We can see how more and more rooms of this type are proliferating and there are more advertising and more applications that predispose to online gambling, which does not facilitate the eradication of this pathology. All this adds up to the fact that It is something quite normal, which is not seen as problematic until the person has already entered a spiral from which it is difficult to get out.
Sometimes, this addiction is accompanied by other types of addictions, such as cannabis or alcohol, or by other types of problems, such as lack of social skills or low self-esteem, although it is true that this is not always the case. way and there are exceptions.
According to the DSM, pathological gambling could be diagnosed in a patient who shows persistent, maladaptive gaming behavior, as reflected by the presence of 4 or more of the following symptoms within a 12-month period, along with “persistent and recurrent problem gambling behavior”:
What can I do if I have this problem?
Surely, it all started innocently, downloading an application and making a small bet going to a game room to hang out… The problem usually occurs when you win a certain amount of money easily, this generates great satisfaction, what we call positive reinforcement, which can help create and consolidate the false belief of that you can control it and make more money (control fallacy).
Every time we tend to bet more, there may be some day when we win, but The losses are much greater and the consequences, therefore, increasingly serious
First of all, do not hide the problem and ask for help, getting out of this addiction alone is very complicated, you will need professional and socio-familial help. Don’t be ashamed, these games are very addictive; Once you take the step of wanting to quit, you have already done the main thing to abandon this addiction, following some therapeutic guidelines and working with a psychologist you can abandon this very problematic behavior.
What can I do if I know someone who has this problem?
Talk to him/her without blaming him/her, try to make him/her understand that he/she has a problem If he/she does not want to assume it, he/she will most likely deny it, but it may be significant for him/her that someone around him/her has seen this problem and that this will generate a “ground” that can help him/her realize that something is wrong. failure.
Don’t normalize their behavior that is, do not try to downplay its importance, compare it with other types of addictions and minimize this, since you can reduce motivation.
Offer your help to accompany them in their process ; For example, to look together for information about where to go, accompany you to the psychologist, etc.
Also, let him express how he feels and don’t minimize what he tells you. It is important to be patient, it can be a complex and long process, the important thing is that you stay by his/her side while he/she walks the path of quitting.
At Mariva Psychologists, we work on this type of addictions both from the most cognitive level (beliefs of control, false expectations, use of gambling as an escape route, underlying problems, guilt, low self-esteem, etc.) and at the behavioral level, that is, providing strategies that help change this behavior and prevent relapses.
If you need more information about this type of treatment, we remain at your disposal.
