Have you ever bought a lottery ticket for a little fun? Or have you ever made a small bet with your friends while watching a cricket match? Many people do these things. But sometimes this little fun can turn into a dangerous addiction that takes over your life and destroys your family. That is what we medically call gambling addiction, or `(Gambling Disorder)`.
Simply put, what is gambling addiction?
Gambling addiction is when you continue to gamble despite all the problems in your life, and you can't stop. It's a mental illness, just like drug addiction. It can completely disrupt your family relationships, work, studies, and especially your financial situation.
Some of the most common types of gambling among us in Sri Lanka are:
- Buying lottery tickets
- Casino games
- Slot machines
- Sports betting - especially online
The important thing is that not everyone who gambles develops this addiction. But if the habit becomes uncontrollable, it can become a serious mental problem.
Do you have this problem too? Be aware of these symptoms
If gambling is starting to damage important parts of your life, it's a warning sign. See if you or someone you know has these symptoms. I'll explain this in a chart to make it easier to understand.
| Characteristic (sign) | Simply meaning |
|---|---|
| Constantly thinking about gambling | Thinking all day long about how to play next and how to make money. |
| Bet more money to get the same pleasure | Even if you start with a small amount, over time that small pleasure becomes insufficient and you feel like betting bigger amounts. |
| Trying to stop, but unable to. | Even though I thought "I won't play again" several times, I couldn't control myself and played again. |
| Getting angry or restless when not playing | Feeling anxious, angry, and restless when trying to stop gambling. |
| Gambling to escape problems | When you are feeling sad, stressed, or anxious, you play gambling to forget about it all. |
| Trying to win back lost money ("Chasing losses") | When you lose money, you keep playing around with it, saying, "Oh, my money," and trying to find it again. This only leads to more debt. |
| Lying about gambling and the amount | Hiding or lying to family and friends about how much they gamble and how much money they lose. |
| Losing important things because of gambling | Losing a good job, family relationships, and friendships because of gambling. |
| Relying on others to pay off debts | Asking mom, dad, and friends for money to pay off gambling debts and play again. |
Why does someone become addicted to gambling in this way?
There is no single cause for this. It is a complex condition where both genetic and environmental factors combine to affect brain function.
Simply think of it this way. Our brains have a "happy hormone" called dopamine . When we eat a delicious meal or spend time with someone we love, this hormone is released and we feel happy. When we gamble, especially when we win, this dopamine is released in larger amounts than normal. It gives us a feeling of great joy and excitement.
But, as you keep doing this, your brain gets used to it. To feel the old pleasure, your brain will encourage you to bet bigger, to play more . That's where addiction begins.
Who is most at risk?
- People who like to make rash decisions and take risks.
- People with economic problems and unemployment.
- People who have difficulty making decisions and controlling their emotions.
- Those who faced traumatic experiences in childhood.
- If anyone in the family has this kind of addiction.
- Also, this risk is higher for people with other mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety disorders.
Serious consequences of gambling addiction
This habit can affect every aspect of your life.
- Financial problems: This can lead to debt, selling property, and eventually becoming destitute.
- Breakdown of family and social relationships: Lying and stealing can cause family and friends to reject you.
- Mental health problems: Severe depression, anxiety, and sometimes even thoughts of harming yourself can occur.
- Disruption of work or studies.
- Legal issues: Unable to repay debts, one may resort to illegal activities to earn money.
If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, please don't suffer alone. See your doctor immediately or talk to someone you trust about this. Getting help is not a sign of weakness.
Is there a treatment for this condition?
Yes, there definitely is! You can get over this. The best thing to do is talk to someone about it.
The main treatment method is counseling (Therapy / Psychotherapy) . A psychiatrist, psychologist, or trained counselor can help you with this.
- Helps you control your gambling habits and desires.
- It teaches you how to cope with stress in a healthy way.
- It guides you to rebuild broken relationships.
- Teaches how to manage money.
One of the most commonly used counseling methods for this is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) . Simply put, it helps you identify the negative thoughts and habits that drive your gambling and change them.
In some cases, doctors may prescribe medication to treat related conditions, such as depression or anxiety. However, there is currently no medication specifically approved for gambling addiction.
The journey to recovery from this is not something you can do overnight. It takes time. Sometimes you may fall back into old habits (relapse). That is normal. If that happens, don't be discouraged. Get help and start the journey again.
When should you see a doctor?
Gambling is not just a game, and if you feel like it has become something that controls your life, see a doctor immediately.
Don't be ashamed or afraid to talk about this. The doctor is there to help you, not to judge you. They will show you the best way to get out of this situation.
Take-Home Message
- Gambling disorder is not a weakness, it is a treatable mental illness.
- This changes the way your brain works, so it's normal to have difficulty controlling your urges.
- You are not alone. There are doctors and counselors who can help you get through this. Don't be shy and ask for help.
- Treatment is a journey. It takes time, patience, and dedication. Even if you fall along the way, get back up.
- The support of your family and friends will be a great strength to you on this journey.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න