Often, someone who has a gambling addiction needs to gamble more than normal to get the same “high” that they’ve previously felt. The result is a vicious cycle where cravings increase and one’s ability to control the urge to gamble falls. Gambling addiction can impact one’s social, professional, and psychological life in many ways. Here are a few symptoms and signs of gambling addiction. Ultimately, it can lead to financial ruin and other problems.
Symptoms
If you’re losing money and feeling hopeless, chances are you have a gambling problem. Symptoms of this addiction may include somatic complaints, depression, and lethargy. You may also experience feelings of guilt or shame when trying to stop. Gambling can also lead to an individual’s feeling of loss of control, which may lead to a host of other psychological issues. Fortunately, there are treatment options for both of these problems.
Symptoms of gambling disorder include depression, anxiety, and insomnia. They can also manifest as physical effects, including muscle soreness, chest tightness, heart palpitations, and difficulty breathing. Moreover, these symptoms usually worsen as a person withdraws from the behavior. Some people even feel depressed or anxious about the symptoms they experience. This is not the only cause of gambling symptoms, however. If you have a gambling problem, it’s essential to seek professional help as soon as possible.
Signs
One of the warning signs that a person may be becoming addicted to gambling is if they are engaging in illegal activities. These activities may include robbery or murder in order to meet their needs. A person who engages in these activities may find it impossible to function as a normal human being. These activities can have serious implications for the person’s physical and mental health. The following are some of the common signs of gambling addiction.
In addition to compulsive behavior, gambling addiction can lead to emotional and mental problems. The person may find comfort in gambling as a way to deal with negative feelings. Eventually, it will become a crutch that the individual uses to get by. Hence, if the person begins to gamble when they are stressed or sad, they might have a gambling problem. In some cases, they may even gamble to escape their troubles.
Treatment
Behavioral addictions such as gambling are often debilitating, impairing one’s overall well-being. Although men and women are roughly equally affected, the gender gap has narrowed in recent years. Treatment for gambling addictions can include cognitive and behavioral therapies. In many cases, the treatment for gambling addiction involves reconditioning the mind and body. The primary goal is to change the pattern of behavior that led to the addiction.
If you are concerned about the consequences of your gambling addiction, seeking treatment is a great first step. Admitting to yourself that you’re addicted to gambling can be extremely difficult, but it’s important to understand that it’s not the end of the world. There are many ways to overcome your gambling addiction, including therapy and self-help groups. These methods may be less invasive than the treatment of a gambling addiction, but they’re both highly effective.
