Gambling may be a hobby for some, but there is a potential for it becoming an addiction problem.
Just take a gamble - you might win big! The lure of easy money is powerful. What if you could spend a single dollar and win millions in the lottery? You start out buying one ticket, then another and another - but you never win anything substantial. You may end up with a gambling addiction.
You might win twenty dollars and use it to buy more tickets. Once you get the gambling bug, it's a short step from buying a lottery ticket at the convenience store to pulling a chair up to the slot machines in a casino.
There are so many internet gambling sites, it is simple for anyone, even children to gamble. Teenage gambling is growing. The web sites clearly state age requirements, but it is not enforced?
Teens are three times more likely to get addicted to gambling than adults. Some rack up thousands of dollars in gambling debt before they're even old enough to get a driver's license!
Gambling is a hidden addiction because it's more likely to be done in secret than on a night out to a casino with friends. When the addiction gets larger, gambling can take over many aspects of your life.
Up to 4% of Americans have a gambling addiction. If you find that you crave the thrill of risking money and hoping to win big, then you're an action gambler. But if you're more likely to gamble when you're upset or in some type of life crisis, then you're an escapist gambler. Women are more likely to be escapist gamblers while men are usually action gamblers.
If you realize that you're driven to gamble and it's taking over your life, then you need to get help. You cannot beat this by yourself. An addiction to gambling really is as powerful as drugs or alcohol. The following are a few pointers to help stop the gambling addiction:
1. Tell you significant other, or someoneclose to you. Ask for their support as you confront your problem.
2. Reduce your access to money. Get rid of access to easy credit, throw out your credit and debit cards. Carry only small amounts of cash in your wallet.
3. Change your path. Stay away from places that are triggers to gamble.
4. Stay away from people who encourage you to gamble. If necessary, change your cell phone number or email address so that they can't contact you.
Contact the nearest Gambler's Anonymous group. Your family can attend this group with you so they know what is coming. And find an experienced counselor who can work one-on-one with you.
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