Beating the Habit
Legal gambling is easily one of the fastest growing industries in the
world. It already attracts more customers per year than baseball games
and movies in the United States. While the majority of people view internet
gambling as something fun to do every now and then during their spare
time, there is a growing number of people who are being caught in the
gambling addiction trap.
Depending on the person, it may be a gradual experience, or it could
be almost instantaneous, but it can become the only thing important in
a person’s life without their even realizing. The entire holdings
of a person’s resources can become tied up in gambling and finding
the next opportunity to gamble on the Internet.
Although this is an occurrence in only a minority of people, for those
of us to whom it does happen, it is an extremely destructive problem.
Many studies have been performed with regards to Internet gambling addictions,
and they have indicated that approximately 5% of the population currently
experiences a problem with Internet gambling.
On average, the time span needed for a person to move from recreational
gambling to compulsive gambling is 8 years, but these numbers are based
on offline studies as well as online. Online gambling seems to involve
a much faster progression.
The following are the most common signs of Internet Gambling Addiction:
A preoccupation with gambling
A gradual augmentation in the size of bets, as well
as trouble cutting back in the size of bets when on a roll.
Using gambling as an escape while disappointed or
frustrated
Neglecting a family, education job or career due
to time spent on gambling or thinking about gambling.
Selling important possessions to create finances
to gamble.
There are 20 questions provided by Gamblers Anonymous to help gamblers
determine whether or not they have a problem.
1. Do you lose time from work or school due to gambling?
2. Does gambling make your home life unhappy?
3. Does gambling effect your reputation?
4. Do you ever feel remorse after gambling?
5. Do you ever gamble to get money with which to
pay debts, or to otherwise resolve financial difficulties?
6. Does gambling cause a decrease in your ambition
or efficiency?
7. After losing, do you feel you must return as soon
as possible and win back your losses?
8. After a win, do you have a b urge to return
and win?
9. Do you often gamble until your last dollar is
gone?
10. Do you ever borrow or finance your gambling?
11. Do you ever sell or finance your gambling?
12. Are you reluctant to use gambling money for other
expenditures?
13. Does gambling make you careless about the welfare
of your family?
14. Do you ever gamble longer than you planned?
15. Do you ever gamble to escape worry or trouble?
16. Do you every commit, or consider committing,
an illegal act to finance your gambling?
17. Does your gambling cause you to have difficulty
sleeping?
18. Do arguments, disappointments, or frustrations
create within you an urge to gamble?
19. Do you have an urge to celebrate good fortune
by a few hours of gambling?
20. Do you ever consider self-destruction, as a result
of your gambling?
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