To prevent gambling addiction at casinos without GamStop, the first step is for the player to realize that he or she has a problem. Addiction to gambling can lead to social, psychological and not least financial problems. It also applies not only to the player himself, but to the player’s immediate family, friends and surroundings. Searching for help can be overwhelming, so in this article we’re going to give you more information about the problem and how to go about getting help.
At least 250,000 British gamblers over the age of 18 gamble and gamble online. Although the vast majority of British gamblers who engage in this do so as a hobby and form of entertainment, on the other hand there are situations where gambling turns from a hobby into a problem. We estimate that around 55,000 people in the UK struggle with gambling addiction.
What is Gambling Addiction at Non GamStop Casinos?
Gaming addiction as a mental disorder within impulse disorders. This is characterized by an obsession with gambling, which the player is unable to control. This despite the negative factors and consequences this entails for the player himself and others.
At the same time, the individual variations among gambling addicts are large, which means that you do not always see the same characteristics and symptoms.
Some of the most common forms of gambling addiction are the following:
Uncontrollable Urge to Gamble at Non GamStop Casinos
This is when the person is simply unable to control their desire to gamble.
- A person with an uncontrollable urge to gamble continues to gamble regardless of whether he/she wins or loses, never considering the consequences.
- Such players are also looking for new opportunities to play, even if they already know that they cannot afford to lose. This is known as pathological gaming addiction.
Excessive Gambling
Excessive gambling is when a player shows symptoms of gambling addiction, but only during certain periods and situations.
- An excessive gambler seems to be in control of their problem most of the time.
- Such a player may go several weeks or months without showing any symptoms or signs of gambling addiction.
- Their gambling addiction at non GamStop casinos reveals itself when the player actually starts playing, although that happens rarely.
Problem Gambling
Problem gambling is when someone has no control over their gambling behavior but at the same time does not gamble excessively.
- A problem gambler exhibits a form of gambling behavior that can interfere with the player’s normal life.
- It is common for such a player to chase losses to win back money, or to lie to those closest to them about their gambling habits.
- Problem gamblers realize that they cannot stop themselves from constantly gambling more and more.
Symptoms of Gambling Addiction
It can be difficult to estimate when a player’s gambling addiction becomes visible to the player’s surroundings. However, there are some symptoms that you can learn to recognize. Before a player becomes addicted to gambling, there are usually three phases.
- The introductory phase: This is the phase where the player gets to know gambling and gambling. Often this happens at a relatively young age, where players try it out and experiment.
- The adoption phase: In this phase, the player adopts the behavior and decides whether the gambling behavior continues.
- The Growing Phase: In the growing phase, the player makes a choice to continue gambling. This behavior then grows to become an activity rather than a hobby and entertainment for the player.
- Gambling addiction phase: In this phase, gambling behaviour, which was previously thought to be under control, turns into a form of addiction for the player.
If the player develops a gambling and gambling addiction, according to the American Psychiatric Association, there are various symptoms you can recognize. If you find that you have had any of these symptoms even within the last year, there is a chance that you are facing gambling addiction. However, these symptoms should not be emphasized if they are the result of another type of mental disorder.
- You bet and play for ever-increasing amounts to experience the same adrenaline and feeling as before. As a result, your debt increases.
- You become restless and irritable when trying to reduce or stop your gambling behavior.
- You have repeated attempts to reduce, control or stop the gambling behaviour.
- You often think about gambling (for example, reliving past gambling experiences, planning your next gambling experiences, or thinking about ways to get money to gamble).
- You often gamble if you feel sad, depressed, anxious, guilty or helpless.
- If you lose money at gambling, you often go back to win back the amounts you lost to prove yourself right – often called “chasing your losses”.
- You gamble in secret and lie about how much time and money you spend gambling.
- Your gambling behavior comes at the expense of relationships, work and your daily circadian rhythm
- You think that others are going to help you with the financial problems that your gambling behavior has caused.
- You don’t play with others, but rather yourself.
Keep in mind that this list alone is not enough to determine if you suffer from gambling addiction. You can be given such a diagnosis by a professional, such as a psychiatrist.
Gambling Addiction Resources
You can get help with gambling addiction from various agencies, either through group sessions, by excluding yourself from gambling for 6 or more months, or other various options.
- Anonymous Gamblers the UK: Anonymous Gamblers is a self-help group that holds meetings for gambling addicts every week. The goal here is to help each other out of gambling addiction. The group uses a 12-step method to overcome addiction.
- Gambling Addiction the UK: Gambling Addiction the UK is an organization that has close cooperation with specialist communities within gambling addiction. The organisation, which was established in 2002, has 7 employees and around 50 volunteers. Network groups for gambling addicts and relatives, digital group meetings, individual meetings, lectures and a helpline are offered.