What Are The Consequences of Problem Gambling?
Gambling refers to any of the various ways whereby an individual’s chances of winning a game are increased, so that he or she can more than likely come out with more money than they lost. Some of the most famous examples of this involve card games such as poker and blackjack, as well as other kinds of gambling activities such as slot machines. However, the tendency to gamble goes way beyond card games. Indeed, gambling is now considered as a recreational activity by many people.
The results of gambling can be influenced by chance alone, for example, in the purely mechanical act of rolling the dice or the tossing of the ball in a roulette table, or even by mental skill, practice, or expertise in various sporting events, or a combination of luck and strategy. However, some gambling addicts (especially online gamblers) find it difficult to stop gambling because of the unpleasant consequences that they may have to face. These negative impact gambling bring about may range from financial loss and emotional trauma, to social destruction and shame. For these reasons, it is imperative that anyone who wants to stop gambling fully understand the gravity of his or her decision.
One common negative effect of problem gambling addiction is depression. There are some gamblers who resort to suicide because of their addiction to gambling. This problem is more widespread in certain countries around the world such as South America, where many individuals engage in illegal betting or even street gambling. However, one should not be overly alarmed since there are many treatment centers nowadays that offer a variety of treatments and rehabilitation programs for gambling addiction. This includes meetings, seminars, and counseling sessions as well as the provision of 24-hour support services.
Another negative effect of problem gambling is the social stigma that it can create. The problem of gambling addiction is not something that the individual gambler wishes to discuss with other people; therefore, they generally withdraw from the community and shun away the people around them. They might live in fear of attracting attention to themselves and the extent of their problem. Worse, there are some individuals who live in isolation, cutting themselves off from the rest of the society, leading a solitary life, and trying to avoid contact with the outside world.
A third negative consequence of problem gambling addiction is the risk of contracting diseases and illnesses brought about by gambling. Although this last point is not really a result of gambling addiction per se, but rather a result of living in a closed and isolated life. Individuals who suffer from compulsive gambling also typically suffer from a host of physical ailments that may include high blood pressure, heart problems, stress related disorders, arthritis, gastrointestinal problems, and many others. In addition, the stress that these individuals experience from their compulsive gambling can often lead to depression and anxiety, further exacerbating the problem. Other common illnesses that are associated with gambling addiction include tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.
One thing that all three of these consequences have in common is that they can only be overcome if an individual gives up their problem gambling. If an individual is willing to give up gambling, they will be able to overcome the three negative consequences of gambling addiction. Compulsive gambling is not something that the individual with a gambling problem wants to deal with, and they would be wise to look for help in order to do so. Professional gamblers Anonymous and similar programs exist and can greatly help those who suffer from problem gambling. If you or someone you know is suffering from compulsive gambling, do not be afraid to seek out help – it could save your life and the lives of everyone around you.