There are many forms of gambling addiction intervention that are carried out by people who see their loved ones afflicted with this problem. They do not always succeed in helping the person with the addiction, but it is the help provided by these concerned individuals that we sometimes hear about as we go through the list of horror stories associated with gambling addiction. It is a good thing that these stories have a bad enough reputation to instill fear in people to avoid them, but the work of the concerned helpers that we sometimes hear about should also serve as a reminder of the good that can be done by some of those afflicted with the problem. In Nigeria, this good has not happened often enough, which is why lawmakers have recently tried to do something about gambling addiction.
What is Gambling Addiction?
A gambling addiction is an addiction to betting on anything you can bet on. There is nothing inherently wrong with gambling. The problem arises when people who are compelled to gamble bet their paycheck or even their life savings. The powerlessness to resist the urge to bet, even when you are on a losing streak, is the definition of a gambling addict. And an addict's behavior can have a profound and damaging effect on his or her work life as well as on the home front. Gambling addiction occurs for a number of reasons, and there are several different types of gambling addicts you may encounter. Here are just a few.
Pathological Problem Gambler
Basic gamblers have problems with gambling, but they are not as harmful as compulsive gamblers. They tend to mislead people about their whereabouts and have inconsistent patterns of behavior. For example, they ignore curfews and return home in the early hours of the next day, pretending to have an emergency.
Binge Gambler
Compulsive gamblers typically gamble on gambling games in intermittent fashion, with periods of absolutely no involvement in any type of gambling at any given time. In other cases, when they start gambling again, they are helpless to stop. Compulsive gamblers show no signs of responsible gambling and are only a short step away from betting the house.
Compulsive Gambler
The most serious condition of all is the compulsive gambler. They are not deterred by the risk of betting money they do not have. Compulsive gamblers have no control over their urge to gamble. Even when they win, they are not satisfied and want to continue gambling.
Causes of Gambling Addiction
For many people, the reasons for wanting to gamble are as varied as the individuals themselves. Some people seem to be born with a certain chemistry that makes them thrill-seekers addicted to anything that offers the possibility of a jackpot, whether it's a casino, a racetrack, or the stock market. Why some people are like this and most aren't remains a mystery to scientists, who suspect a combination of gender, age, and even genetics is involved. Of course, some people grow up poor and turn to gambling out of desperation - though I don't think that's nearly as common as some people assume.
How to Deal with Gambling Addiction
In Nigeria, there are many ways to find help for a gambling addiction. Only trained professionals can identify the damage done by an addict and prescribe the long-term recovery treatment an addict needs. However, there are clinics in Nigeria that can help a gambling addict. Here's a list of some places you can go for help with your gambling addiction:
- Cape Town Gambling Addiction Clinics 0800 006 008 National Responsible Gambling Program (NRGP) free gambling helpline