Symptoms of gambling addiction:
Increased time use: A person spends more and more time gambling, including longer sessions or increased frequency of gambling.
Loss of control: Difficulty controlling or limiting gambling, despite repeated attempts to stop or reduce.
Constantly thinking about games: Constant thoughts about games, strategies or ways to get more money to bet.
Increased stakes: The behavior to bet larger amounts to achieve the same thrill or to recover losses (known as "the chase").
Concealing gambling: Lies to concealing the extent of gambling from family and friends, including financial losses.
Financial problems: Loss of financial stability, debts or using savings, loans or credits to finance gambling.
Negative impact on relationships: Gambling addiction can create conflict in relationships due to time taken away from family and friends and financial problems.
Anxiety and depression: Many people with gambling addiction experience increased anxiety, depression or other mental health problems as a result of their addiction.
Missed commitments: Not fulfilling responsibilities at work, school or other obligations due to gambling.
- Loss of interest in other activities: Gradually losing interest in previously enjoyable activities and hobbies in favor of gambling.
Try to recoup losses: Continued gambling in an attempt to recoup previous financial losses, often leading to even greater debt.
Need to increase bets to feel the same tension: Development of tolerance where the person needs to exert more effort to achieve the same level of tension.
Try to stop or reduce without success:
Relapse: Resumption of gambling after periods of abstinence.
If you or someone you know exhibits several of these symptoms and behaviors and you are concerned about gambling addiction, it is important to seek professional help and support. Gambling addiction is a serious disorder that can have significant negative consequences on a person's life, including financial, relational and psychological problems. Treatment and support can help manage and overcome this addiction.
Treatment for gambling addiction:
For gambling addiction, treatment is given with psychotherapy in the form of cognitive behavioral therapy ( CBT). The treatment can be given individually or in a group.
In the event of financial difficulties in connection with gambling addiction, there is often an opportunity to get help from the municipality's budget and debt advice. The help is free of charge. There are also several associations that provide support for gambling addiction.