It is common to hear about addictions and occasionally come across awareness campaigns about the dangers of alcohol and drugs. However, it is not so common to talk about the danger of so-called «addictions without substance«such as gambling addiction or video game addiction.
Although there are casinos in all cities and we are witnessing a proliferation of gambling halls in the neighborhoods, it seems that a kind of taboo surrounds the gambling addictionIn this way, addicts are often left unprotected, lacking the social support necessary to overcome an addiction.
The RAE defines addiction as the «dependence on substances or activities that are harmful to health or mental balance.» From a less general perspective, we can define addictions as Psychological disorders characterized by the repetition of certain behaviorswith the intention of obtaining a reward.
Although not as common as alcoholism, gambling addiction Gambling is an increasingly widespread addiction. Those who suffer from it are unable to suppress the desire to gamble money. In the worst cases, a gambling addict can lose thousands of euros in a very short period of time.
Losses usually start soon after starting to play. However, gambling establishments and sites have the ability to make players believe that they can still win.
This is how a Twitter user explained it, sharing his experiences as a croupier.
As you know, I was a croupier for about 5 years. In that job I learned a lot about human behavior and misery and it has been very useful in my daily life.
A few months ago, a colleague of mine got into online roulette and started asking me questions. Obviously, he knew what was coming:
— Jaime Primero 🌈 Crazy Horse Invincible. (@JaimePrimeroR) November 25, 2021
Casinos and gambling halls: the cradle of gambling addiction
Jaime was a croupier for a period of five years. Despite everything, he does not hesitate to write that he learned a lot «of human behavior and miseries.»
In the form of a Twitter thread, it tells the story of a friend who had recently become hooked on a social media platform. online gameHe also tells how he tried to persuade him, without much success, and takes the opportunity to convince those who read him of the dangers of the game.
Methods, myths, players banned from casinos for beating the bank, and even books on how to win. These are the elements of the story that make players believe they have a chance against the bank.
When all of the above is mixed with chance, the result is an explosive cocktail capable of ruining the lives of those who cross its path.
«If there was an infallible method, there would be no casinos,» Jaime explains. These supposed methods only serve to instil a false sense of security in the most unwary players. «This positive streak is what gets you hooked, and when the negative streak comes you think: bah, it's so easy to win, I'll recover soon.»
Despite his experience, or precisely because of it, Jaime knows that it is not easy to convince those who are already initiated in the world of gambling. That is why he mentions a series of tips that can prevent gambling addiction from taking control.
Tips to avoid gambling addiction
- Never gamble for money.
- If it cannot be avoided, set a monthly limit considerably low.
- Accept that stories about great players who “always won” are false.
- Be aware that There are no safe methods when chance is at stake.
- Ask for help to people close to you. If the addiction gets out of hand, contact an online psychologist who can help you overcome your problems.
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Gambling addiction in Spain
In 2020, the Spanish Observatory on Drugs and Addictions and the Government Delegation for the National Plan on Drugs joined forces to publish the Report on behavioral addictions.
The objective of this report is to «understand the extent of compulsive use of the Internet, the game with money and the possible impact of video game use disorder on the general population, as well as to delve deeper into the behaviors related to these behaviors.»
For this purpose, data collected by two periodic national surveys were used: the Survey on Alcohol and Drugs in Spain (AGES) and the Survey on Drug Use in Secondary Education in Spain (STUDIES).
Let's focus, among the results revealed by these surveys, on those that refer to gambling:
EDADES surveyed people between 15 and 64 years old and discovered that 6.7% of respondents had bet money onlinealmost double that of 2017.
Despite the considerable increase, this is a minuscule figure compared to the percentage of people who had bet money in person: 63.6% of the population between 15 and 64 years old.
Regarding age distribution, Online betting is a hit, especially among young people. 8.3% of young people aged between 15 and 24 had bet money online. In the 25 to 34 age group, 9.3% of respondents said they had bet money online.
On the contrary, It is the older ones who are most accustomed to betting money in person.. 77.1% of respondents aged 55 to 64 said they had done so. The figures for respondents aged 45 to 54 and those aged 35 to 44 are similar: 72.7% and 67.1% respectively.
And although young people play less in person than their elders, the figures are also worrying: 57.5% of respondents between 25 and 34 years old and 31.4% of those under 24.
In both modalities and in all age groups there are more men than women.
- The results of ESTUDES
ESTUDES studied the gambling habits of minors between the ages of 14 and 18. It is around these ages that the risk of developing gambling addiction begins.
Their results revealed that during the last survey period, in 2018, 10.3% of respondents admitted to having bet money online. In addition, it was discovered that «The prevalence of online gambling increases with agewith 18-year-olds having the highest prevalence.»
Breaking down this data, we discover that 17.3% of men respondents had gambled for money online in the past 12 months, compared to 3.6% of respondents of the feminine gender.
As for betting money in person, 22.7% of the students surveyed admitted to having played for money in person over the past year. While the figure for men rose to 30.7%, for women it reached 15.3% of those surveyed.
The profile of the compulsive gambler
As with all disorders, anyone is susceptible to gambling addiction.
However, it is true that, by studying this disorder in more depth, some conclusions can be drawn about the profile that gambling addicts usually have:
- There is a higher percentage of men compulsive gamblers than women.
- Gambling addiction is common among young and middle-aged people.
- It is common that The risk of suffering from an addiction increases if this addiction is present in the environmentThis also happens with gambling addiction.
- People who suffer disorders such as alcoholism, depression, anxiety or personality disorders, among others, are more susceptible to developing gambling addiction.
How to help a gambling addict?
Gambling addiction is usually a source of concern among family and friends of those who suffer from it.
Like other addictions, gambling addiction encourages actions that often become the perfect breeding ground for personal problems.
For example, It is common for addicts to lie to their families. about their activities, being robbed to support their addiction, or being asked to borrow money to pay off debts. It is also common for compulsive gamblers to feel nervous, depressed and guilty because of his problem.
For these and many other reasons, it is completely normal to want to help someone who is immersed in the world of gambling for money. Helping someone who is going through an addiction is difficult, but not impossible.
The psychological therapy It is the best way to end addictions. If you have an addict nearby, try to make him aware of his problem and encourage him to contact a psychologist. Asking for help from a mental health professional is a big step that is much less scary if it is done with someone else.
In we are Experts in online therapy since 2012When dealing with a disorder of this nature, online therapy has many advantages. For example, the possibility of attending therapy without leaving home can help reduce nervousness. Plus, we offer affordable prices.
If you want to try our services, you can enjoy a free first session.