What is gambling addiction: symptoms, stages and methods of treatment

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Gambling addiction , along with drug addiction, has become one of the most serious problems of society. This is especially clear in recent decades, when the production of gadgets has made a leap forward, and now even 5-year-old children sometimes have phones or tablets. How to recognize a painful addiction and prevent its occurrence? How to help a person? More on this below.

• What is gambling addiction? Why is it dangerous?
• History of gambling addiction
• Main causes of addiction
• Signs of gaming addiction
• Stages of gambling addiction
• Types of gambling addiction
• Computer games
• Gambling
• Internet games
• Card games
• Games on the phone
• Slot machines
• Gambling addiction in adolescents
• Psychological dependence on computer games
• Consequences of gambling addiction: impact on a person’s life
• Prevention of gaming addiction
• FAQ
• Treatment of gambling addiction in
• Help from a psychologist
• Rehabilitation of gambling addiction

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Prerequisites for the development of gambling addiction

Many people play gambling and computer games, but addiction develops in only 3-5% of the adult population. Experts note that there are certain psychological prerequisites that increase the likelihood of developing gambling addiction.

• Revaluation of material values: players are often confident that money can solve any problems, including problems in communicating with others;
• Envy of more successful and rich friends. An additional risk factor is the “thirst for profit”, the desire for quick and easy money;
• The presence of gamblers or professional gamblers in the family, as well as participation in the game since childhood.

Moreover, psychologists note that some people are by nature more passionate than those around them: victories are important to them, and they are more upset by failures. Such emotional instability and inability to control one’s impulses can also become a reason for the formation of addiction.

Another category of players use the game as an opportunity to “escape” from real problems. The gameplay creates an illusory world for them, into which they are completely immersed. As a rule, such patients do not know how to build relationships with others, feel misunderstood and lonely, and are not satisfied with themselves and their lives.

It is noteworthy that recently neuroscientists have been talking about the presence of physiological prerequisites for the development of addictions. Some people produce less dopamine, serotonin and other neurotransmitters, making it more difficult for them to relax and experience a feeling of joy. Such patients are prone to melancholy, depression, and a gloomy outlook on life. The gameplay stimulates the production of happiness hormones and temporarily improves their condition.

Selection of treatment

History of gambling addiction

Gambling addiction first began to be discussed at the beginning of the 20th century. However, greater emphasis was placed on the laziness, weak character and weak-willed person. In addition, there were no such developed casino networks, slot machines, and the era of gadgets was also far away.

The problem began to manifest itself more intensely closer to the 60s, when slot machines appeared and casinos became a sign of a rich life. The problem was especially acute in the United States, where a huge percentage of people lost entire fortunes while gambling. Gradually, roulette came to Russia, where casinos were eventually banned. However, the problem did not go away, because such establishments were replaced by Internet portals with the ability to pay bets online. Let's add here various bets on sports, replenishing accounts in online games, etc.

Workbooks

When should you seek help immediately?

• Euphoria during the game and emptiness, loss after its completion;
• Constant thoughts about the object of your addiction;
• Frequent and large expenses for software updates;
• Repeated attempts to quit the game ;
• Complete disregard for study, work, severance of friendships;
• Systematic manipulation, lying to loved ones;
• Poor appearance (due to insomnia, neurosis, alcohol, loss of appetite);
• Constant requests to lend money;
• Loss of valuables from home;
• Closedness, alienation, aggression, irritability;
• Problems with law enforcement agencies, credit organizations.

Main causes of addiction

There are several reasons for dependence:

• Character traits . Closed people with a large number of complexes, as a rule, have difficulty finding contact with others. This can manifest itself even at school. It is extremely important not to confuse temperamental characteristics (for example, phlegmantic) with obvious problems.
• A bad example is before our eyes . If dad or mom spend 90 percent of their time on gadgets and only discuss games, then the child will certainly be interested in this topic.
• Lack of correct values ​​in life , emphasis on material wealth, desire to earn money without work.

Mental disorders can be highlighted as a separate item. Excessive nervousness, even in childhood, and cruelty are reasons to immediately consult a specialist.

Daily routine in the hospital of the recreation center “I am independent”

We practice an individual approach, so the daily routine is selected for each patient. One way or another, a specially designed daily routine allows patients to successfully combine group exercises, self-development and sports exercises. In addition, experts place special emphasis on ensuring that every person finds a new exciting hobby. This approach allows patients to instill healthy behavior patterns that will definitely help them in later life, after discharge from the clinic .

Body-oriented therapy, used by rehabilitation staff , helps relieve gambling addicts from certain psychosomatic disorders:

• constant headaches;
• problems with posture;
• sleep disorders (insomnia);
• problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

Signs of gaming addiction

Obvious problems in a person will be indicated by the following signs:

• The desire to play always and everywhere, even to the detriment of study and work.
• The game replaces all meetings with friends, hobbies, watching movies, listening to music, etc. An addict will refuse to go to a cafe with colleagues, because the evening can be spent playing.
• If the process has to be interrupted, the gambling addict becomes aggressive and angry.
• People play more and more often and longer.
• Categorical and complete denial of the problem, an aggressive reaction to attempts to talk about it.
• Becomes untidy, ceases to maintain basic order and hygiene of the body. He's too lazy to even take a shower.
• Children and adolescents are characterized by a sharp decline in academic performance.

MOTIVATION OF A DEPENDENT FOR TREATMENT

Post-treatment patient support

People who are prone to gambling and gaming often have certain personality traits that contribute to the development of addiction . A person can be either an optimist by nature or a pessimist, but in any case, he needs to be taught how to properly work with his existing unstable psyche in the future. Together with an experienced psychologist, various possible situations are worked out. The patient must learn to cope with various kinds of life stress on his own. And our specialists give him truly working tools, with the help of which the resocialization of the patient will be much easier. At any time after discharge from the clinic , a former gambling addict can seek qualified help from our specialists.

Stages of gambling addiction

• The first stage of addiction is characterized by increased susceptibility to games. Low self-esteem, lack of self-confidence, weak character, problems in the family or at work only aggravate the problem.
• The second stage is the winning one when it comes to monetary types of games. Having won even a mere trifle, a person begins to seriously consider entertainment from the point of view of the opportunity to earn millions.
• The third stage is a losing one. The addict loses his luck, so he seriously thinks about stopping gambling. However, as soon as the money appears, he will begin the gameplay again in order to “win back.”
• The fourth stage is despair. The person begins to understand that he has obvious problems, but cannot stop. Gradually everyone turns away from him. In an attempt to suppress the craving for games, the addict may start using alcohol or drugs.
• The fifth stage is hopelessness. The lack of help leads to the fact that a person understands the futility of his attempts to give up gambling. Gambling addiction turns out to be stronger than him.

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Psychological portraits of gambling addicts

Psychologists identify two main portraits of addicted people for whom professional treatment for gambling addiction :

1. hyperthymic. This type is divided into separate subtypes, among which hyperthymic-unstable deserves special attention. A person with this type always tries to get maximum pleasure in everything. An energetic and optimistic person does not even think that some actions could cause harm to themselves or others. A tendency to act recklessly may result in the development of gambling addiction , alcoholism or drug addiction;
2. hypothymic. An individual with this type is prone to a depressed state. The person is withdrawn, uncommunicative, gloomy, there is a tendency to remorse, self-accusation and self-deprecation, and pondering past mistakes, even minor ones. A pessimistic person sees the whole world in dark colors. Life's problems easily and for a long time throw you out of balance.

Cost of rehabilitation for gambling addiction

Complex Cost 70,000 rubles per month Additional sessions with a psychologist are paid separately

Complex Cost 100,000 rubles per month

Complex Cost 150,000 rubles per month

Resocialization program

Rehabilitation of a former gambling addict involves a gradual return to society. After undergoing therapy in a hospital setting, specialists clinic assist the patient in finding a job. Also at the stage of resocialization, group trainings are held, where former patients share their achievements with each other. The positive results of therapy inspire former gambling addicts, and their faith in their own strength is strengthened.

The resocialization process does not require a hospital stay. All group meetings are held in a separate modern office. A former rehabilitation patient can always seek qualified help from specialists. In our clinic , he is guaranteed to receive psychological support and participation. The completion of the resocialization program is complete recovery from gambling addiction , restoration of trusting relationships with loved ones, and a full return to family and work activities.

Prevention of gaming addiction

Is it possible to prevent gambling addiction? Undoubtedly:

• Try to strictly limit your time playing games. For example, 1 hour a day.
• Find yourself an interesting hobby that is not related to games, for example, handicrafts, sports, swimming.
• Learn to relax without a computer or phone. A hot bath, a cup of tea, a favorite hobby.
• For special gadget lovers, you can offer an alternative - instead of aimless games on the Internet, watch an interesting movie, or read books online.

When it comes to children and teenagers, there is only one recipe - more attention from parents. Often, mom and dad are only happy to distract their child with a phone or computer. A child must have strictly limited time for gadgets, since it is impossible to completely avoid their use in the modern world. Talk to your child more often, take an interest in his hobbies.

Have you noticed that your son or daughter is having problems with peers? Have your grades gotten worse? Has aggression or nervousness appeared? Be sure to consult with specialists.

FAQ

We have compiled a database of frequently asked questions and answers to them. Read, maybe you will find the answer to your question

• How to overcome addiction to computer games?
  We recommend solving the problem with the help of a specialist. Attempts to fight independently often end in complete failure. It is important to solve internal psychological problems. It is best to take preventive measures in advance.
• How is gambling and credit addiction formed?
  Dependence develops gradually, for some over several years. If a person plays more and more often and longer, if he begins to experience financial difficulties due to addiction, he urgently needs to contact a psychologist.
• How to recognize gambling addiction?
  He has no hobbies other than playing.
• He refuses to communicate with friends and acquaintances in order to play.
• Capable of spending a large amount of money on bets, games and slot machines, while denying himself the necessary purchases.
• Becomes aggressive and irritable if his play is interrupted. For example, a banal blackout can infuriate.
• Completely loses interest in his appearance.

conclusions

Summing up the consideration of the problem of gambling addiction in the context of sports betting, bets should be considered solely as entertainment if you are not a professional. You should only bet with free money, don’t play around and never chase the wager.

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And if you decide to organize an additional or even the main source of income on bets, use the services of trusted cappers, whom you can find in the TOP of our rating below. This will help avoid psychological disorders leading to the development of gambling addiction.

Literature

• “Gaming addiction as a phenomenon of alienated reality” - Beloglazova L.A.
• “Modern aspects of the treatment of gambling addiction” - Akhrameyko A.V., Kutashov V.A.

Article verified by an expert

Terekhova Anna Vladimirovna

psychologist-consultant on socio-psychological work with addicted clients and their families. More than 10 years of experience.

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Conditions of stay in the hospital “I am independent”

Our mission is to help every patient get rid of gambling addiction . Moreover, this must be done effectively, painlessly and as comfortably as possible. Therefore, for accommodation we offer comfortable rooms with a capacity of 2-6 people . There are also separate VIP rooms. Regardless of what you choose, all rooms are equipped with the basic necessities for living - shower, toilet, air conditioning.

on the territory of the rehabilitation center . There is also a kitchen and dining room. 4 meals a day are provided. The menu is designed in such a way that patients restore normal functioning of the body as quickly as possible. A specially designed balanced diet will help defeat dangerous addiction much more effectively. All dishes are not only healthy, but also delicious.

Why is gambling addiction dangerous?

As we wrote above, gambling addiction is officially considered a mental disorder, the basis of which is addiction (addiction, habituation - editor's note), aimed at addiction to gambling. Gambling addiction manifests itself as a form of deviant behavior (one that deviates from the general social behavior - editor's note).

Gambling addiction is dangerous because the gambler does not feel this addiction, does not realize his illness and completely rejects thoughts about his own addiction, but the price that will have to be paid further turns out to be too high.

Gambling addiction becomes a serious problem at the moment when gambling addiction becomes the main goal in life. And playing for money becomes a way of escaping reality and the only way to enjoy life.

Confession of a gambler

Here is another letter from a gambling addict who does not have the strength to overcome his painful addiction (the author’s spelling has been preserved).

32 years. I am a liar, a thief, a gambler, a degenerate, a bastard, a scumbag, a dependent, divorced, millions in debt, and at the same time I don’t want to die. I realized this when I tried to kill myself. I had everything. great job with a very high income, wife, good life. Then I became interested in the stock exchange, then poker. And it went downhill. I was fired from my job, and from my second job too... because at work I played the stock market and poker. this was 4 years ago. Since then I have been living on micro-income from my gambling addiction and on transfers from my parents, and...under various pretexts I ask for money. regularly. I took out loans, didn’t repay, 1 million rubles, trial soon. My parents gave me 1.5 million rubles from their inheritance to buy an apartment. I lost them completely. I lied about the apartment and said that I was renovating it. I lie to everyone around me! I make up stories, invent a normal life for myself, a job, and tell them. Oh, if only they knew...I owe money to a lot of people. I have no friends, I moved away from everyone. I'm just embarrassed to look people in the eyes. Somewhere in the midst of all this, I divorced my wife. really kindly. and it wasn’t love. Besides, then I met a girl. I saved some money and came up with a SYSTEM! How can I beat the stock market and poker? rented a cheap apartment. I came up with a story for the girl and parents that he got a job on a shift in the north, and he went to an apartment and became a gambler for two months, the result is clear. lost completely. I secretly went home to my parents while they were at work and stole 10 thousand rubles from a hiding place. I wanted to scroll through it and put it back on the same day. The result is clear. Lost completely. Today is the last day of stay. and according to legend, I must return to the girl. with “earned” money. We planned to go to her father in Siberia on a date. is in prison. And my girl’s name is Christina, and she is an angel. There was no more dear person in my life besides her and my golden parents, who probably suspect something was wrong, but do not interfere and continue to help. And now the moment has come when everything that I have put together with my lies must collapse. There is no other way out. I have to confess everything to my parents tomorrow because I have nowhere to go. I’m very afraid... my dad has high blood pressure, my mom has been through a lot too