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The psychologist Marisol Flores explained through the channel Psicoactiva that “usually it is considered that a person has gambling problems when they lose large amounts of money or when the game ends up causing financial bankruptcy, for example.”
And it is that this disease is considered serious due to its physical, emotional and economic impacts. People with it experience a strong urge to gamble, which can lead to devastating consequences for their finances, personal relationships, and mental health. As compulsive gambling behavior persists, you could find yourself in a pernicious cycle of debt and social isolation.
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“We can think of a true pathology at the moment when the player neglects, abandons his own life, his personal reality, family, work, social reality, and the game begins to completely alter his life. It is common for people who suffer from compulsive gambling miss important family events and spend large amounts of time dedicating or thinking about gambling,” explains Flores.
Gambling is classified as a disease due to its addictive nature and long-term negative effects. Like other addictions, this disorder can rewire how your brain works and alter its chemical balance, plunging a person into a constant search for the thrill provided by gambling, regardless of the negative consequences. In addition, this problem can be associated with feelings of shame, guilt and anxiety, further contributing to its consideration as a disease.
According to Flores, “there are various factors that facilitate the appearance of gambling problems. We have the factors inherent to the game, which would be those that are inherent to the game itself. There are games that are addictive in themselves, either because they produce large amounts of adrenaline or because the person has the potential to win large sums of money by making small bets. and, on the other hand, we have the contextual factors that have to do with the offer or accessibility to gaming spaces, such as casinos. It is much more likely to generate gambling in people who live in cities that have accessibility to these spaces.”
- Uncontrollable Behavior: If you find that you cannot control your urge to gamble, despite trying to reduce or stop this activity, it could be a sign of compulsive gambling. This can manifest in a pattern of excessive gambling, even when you know you should stop.
- Constant Concern for the Game: If constant thinking about gambling interferes with your focus on other daily activities and responsibilities, this could indicate pathological gambling.
- Need to Bet Increasing Sums: If you feel the need to bet larger and larger amounts to get the same thrill, you may be developing a tolerance for gambling, which is a symptom of compulsive gambling.
- Lying About the Game: If you feel the need to hide the amount of time or money you spend gambling, whether it be from friends, family or loved ones, this could indicate that you are dealing with problem gambling.
- Deterioration in Relationships and Work: If your personal relationships and work performance begin to be negatively affected by your gambling behavior, you may be experiencing the effects of pathological gambling.
- Feelings of Restlessness and Agitation: Gambling can cause feelings of restlessness, irritability, or anxiety when you try to reduce or stop your gambling activity.
- Depleted Financial Resources: If you are spending more money than you can afford gambling and experiencing significant financial hardship as a result, this could be a sign of gambling.
- Failed Attempts to Quit Gambling: If you have repeatedly tried to stop gambling or reduce your gambling activity without success, this could be indicative of problem gambling.
According to the psychologist, the therapy “attempts to reverse this behavior, it will seek abstinence from the game and we will surely delve into the particularities of each individual that led them to carry out this behavior, to start this addiction.”
Addiction therapists can provide appropriate assessments and guidance in managing problem gambling. Early intervention can make a difference in the recovery process and in improving the quality of life.
