For the most part, gambling is just a way to spice up athletic events or a component of an annual trip to Las Vegas. Gambling, on the other hand, may be a hazardous addiction that destroys marriages, kills employment, leads to bankruptcy, and even leads to suicide in certain cases. Gambling addiction has become so common that the American Psychiatric Association has classified it as a psychiatric disease that affects one to three percent of all individuals in the United States. These figures may continue to rise as online gaming sites become more popular live casino online Malaysia
So, what is it about internet gambling that makes it so appealing? The most obvious answer is that it is more convenient. Gamblers no longer need to travel to Vegas or Atlantic City since the Internet allows them to gamble anonymously 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Furthermore, there is no actual or immediate exchange of money in online gaming. It's easy for players to lose sight of the fact that they're playing for real money! Other enticements include the simplicity with which people can create accounts and the sense of escape that comes with spending hours online playing games.
So, when does a gambling hobby turn into an addiction? There are three general criteria for diagnosing any type of addiction. The word "addiction" suggests a loss of behavioural control, first and foremost. Those who are hooked to gambling are unable to regulate their behaviour. What began out as a simple game of poker may quickly turn into an all-day, all-night gambling binge. Second, just as an alcoholic develops a "tolerance" to alcohol, addicted gamblers often acquire a "tolerance" to gambling. Gamblers that are addicted will need to increase their bets in order to achieve the high they crave. Finally, the degree to which a habit interferes with one's ability to function is frequently employed as a diagnostic criterion for addiction. In the case of an obsessive gambler, he or she may deplete bank accounts, sell priceless artefacts, or accumulate significant debt. An addicted gambler may steal from friends and family members to fund their addiction, or become clinically depressed after a tragic loss.
So, how can you tell whether you have a gambling addiction? Asking yourself questions like these can help you stay anonymous when you're gambling:
1. Have you ever been late for work or school due to gambling?
2. Have you ever felt bad about yourself because of your gambling?
3. Have you ever gambled in order to pay off debts or bills?
4. Have you ever gambled until your bank account was depleted?
5. Have you ever gambled for longer than you anticipated?
6. Have you ever gambled with money you didn't intend to gamble with?
7. Have you ever considered committing suicide as a result of your gambling addiction?
This is not an entire list, but if you answered "yes" to any of the following questions, you should get professional help with your gambling.
Fortunately, there are numerous tools available to assist those who are addicted to gambling. For those whose gambling has spiralled out of hand, 12-step organisations such as alcoholics anonymous and drugs anonymous are available. Furthermore, support groups such as Gam-Anon are readily available and geared to aid people who have a family member who is addicted to gambling.