Responsible Gambling

Before we proceed with our responsible gambling tips, gamblers must understand the emotional triggers behind developing a gambling problem. The more aware you are of your emotional situation, the more control you will have over your gambling addiction.

In case you have found some correlation with any of the emotional reasons below, don’t fret just yet! There are multiple ways to overcome gambling addiction, and we will discuss them elaborately later in this article.

For now, here are the main emotional triggers that end up developing a gambling problem for gamblers of all ages, ethnicity, gender, and health conditions:

Mental Health Problems

People with pre-existing mental health issues are subject to gambling addiction more so than others. The disease can negatively affect their lives in many ways. Therefore, they must become more aware of their conditions, and strive to manage the disease.

Besides, compulsive gambling is highly prevalent in people diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).

Influence of Family and Friends

Your family and friends may have a gambling problem, and you may have absorbed their toxic habits onto yourself. Even if you are close to them, and you care for them, if their bad habits are affecting you unfavourably, you should distance yourself from them.

Use of Certain Prescribed and Unprescribed Medication

Prescribed drugs that are known as dopamine agonists are often responsible for producing compulsive gambling behaviours in patients who take them. These drugs are used to treat Parkinson’s disease, restless leg syndrome, clinical depression, hyperprolactinemia, and low sex drive.

Needless to say, excessive consumption of alcohol and psychoactive drugs can compel an individual to gamble without concern for his/her own health or finance.

Personality Attributes

Even certain personal attributes may impel an individual to gamble incessantly at his/her own peril. People who become restless or bored easily can find themselves chasing losses or browsing different casino games to kill time.

Impulsive and highly competitive people may have trouble stopping themselves from continuing to bet even after losing multiple times. Losing in casino games may bother them so much to the point they become obsessed with winning.

Coping from a Loss

In general, life doesn’t always go well. We lose jobs, academic opportunities, and significant relationships. Some people may find solace in online gambling to get away from life’s troubles.

Gambling addiction can be identified when you feel an incessant urge to gamble despite all its negative experiences. Bad experiences can manifest in the form of continuous losing, and splurging expenses usually saved for daily needs.

Some common consequences of gambling addiction are relationship discord and financial debts. The thrill of risk-taking during gambling can take over the person, which acts the same as a psychoactive drug. For that reason, it becomes hard for the individual to separate oneself from the grasp of addiction.

When you look at the bleak reality of gambling addiction, it makes sense to steer clear of it. However, you don’t have to become a victim of gambling addiction unnecessarily. You can avoid it, and even be cured of it if you take the right steps forward.

Here is a list of questions you must ask yourself to identify the symptoms of gambling addiction:

• Are you spending an increased amount of time gambling online?
• Are you constantly thinking and planning on how to win more money through online gambling?
  
• Has any of your peers expressed their concern about your gambling habit?
  
• Do you feel the urge to win back the money you have lost in the game by depositing more?
  
• Do you find yourself lying to people about the amount of money you spent on online gambling?
  
• Do you usually lie about the time you spend on online gambling?
  
• Do you suffer from depression, agitation, anxiety, stomach pain, headaches, and stress when you are not gambling?
  
• Have you committed any crime to fund your gambling habits?
  
• Did you ever attempt to stop your gambling habits?
  
• Do you have a large sum of debt caused by your gambling tendency?
  
• Did you borrow money from your peers to gamble before?
  
• Do you ignore family and work responsibilities due to your preoccupation with gambling?
  
• Do you struggle to finish tasks or experience a lack of concentration at work?
  
• Have you lost any significant relationship, career, or academic opportunities because of gambling?