Gambling is fun as hell and winning can give you a natural high, a rush that’s unlike any other. It’s said the gamblers’ high shares a similar physiological response to cocaine’s effect on the brain. The sports betting companies know this – and they don’t have your best interests in mind.
Of the many misconceptions about compulsive gambling, one of the biggest is that it only happens to people with weak character, or people who aren’t intelligent. This is completely untrue. Gambling can be highly addictive, problem or pathological gambling is an impulse-control disorder. It’s estimated that one in four adults who gamble are addicted to sports betting, or at risk for developing an addiction*. With serious odds like that (-400, 80% implied probability!), you have to be careful and watch for the signs. Know your enemy, know what to expect, and carefully consider what you’re getting into.
Gamble in moderation. Always be aware, and stay in control. Avoid isolation. Set boundaries, and widen your support network. Take a step back when you need to, and don’t ever be afraid to ask for help.
Life is hard, don’t make it worse.
Signs and Symptoms to Watch for
You don’t have to gamble every day to have a problem. If it’s causing trouble in your life, it’s already a problem.
Keeping It a Secret
If you find you are hiding how much you gamble from friends and family, it could be time to take a hard look at what you are doing, and what your motives are. Are people concerned or worried about your gambling? Denial enables you to continue deceiving yourself. If people around you are trying to tell you something, listen to them.
Can You Stop?
Do you have the ability to walk away, no matter how much you’ve won or lost? Do you bet more to try and cover your losses? Have you emptied your bankroll and touched your real money, dipped into your savings or missed a payment?
Chasing the Rush
Crashing lows after an amazing rush are common in any activity, sport or drug that elicits that feeling. This in itself isn’t anything to be concerned about. The problem happens when you can’t live without that rush. After gambling do you have feelings of remorse? Do you get irritable or angry when you stop, the way a smoker does when they quit?
Chasing Dollars
Borrowing money that you can’t pay back, not eating or paying bills because you’re using the money for betting. Going to extreme measures to get money to make a wager. Lying, stealing, cashing in investments, dipping into savings, selling off assets. These are all major red flags and if you discover yourself doing any of these things, you need to take a big step back and analyze your actions and your situation.
Where to Find Help
There is undoubtedly a Gamblers Anonymous chapter in your city. If there isn’t, they also offer phone and online support for free to whomever needs help. GamblersAnonymous.org. There is also help and support forums at GamblingHelpOnline.org.au, GamblingTherapy.org. Check the links at the bottom of every page on this website for more help.
There are many gambling hotlines in the United States, Canada and Internationally.
Don’t wait to get support. Addictions don’t get better on their own, please be aware and stay in control.
