Casino Gambling Problem – 7 Indicators That You May Have a Problem With This

Casino gambling problem(s) can affect many people throughout the world with easy access to casino gambling everywhere, including on the internet. These problems seem to getting worse over time, as you see the online trends of people searching for the term “gambling addiction”.

This problem(s) can truly become all encompassing and can affect your life in many ways. If you do not stop gambling when you have this type of problem the situation can become pretty dire pretty fast.

Problems with casino gambling are becoming worse and worse throughout the world because slot machines, pokies, and fruit machines are highly addictive and can addict people very fast. Most casino gambling establishments are filled with these types of addictive slot machines. These gaming machines are fast moving, seductive, and hypnotizing. One can lose a lot of money on slot machines extremely fast.

Slot machine addiction is a big part of a casino gambling addiction and casino owners know this. If you have a casino gambling problem, you may keep going back regardless of the consequences. Slot machines are truly a big part of the problem. They do not call slots addiction the “crack cocaine of gambling addiction” for nothing.

So how would you know if a gambling problem is ruining your life? What are some of the indicators that things are spiraling out of control, and that your life is truly becoming unmanageable?

1. You are visiting casinos more and more frequently. You have tried to stop gambling by promising yourself that you would not go anymore, but it never works. You keep going back to the casino, regardless of the negative consequences.

2. You bring your ATM card to the casino with you and max it out each time you go to the casino. You may also bring your credit card and take out credit card advances in the hundreds or even thousands in just one visit.

3. You may drink at the casino so you can zone out and enhance your casino gambling experience. You may also drink in excess so you can numb out your feelings.

4. A problem with addictive gambling in a casino (s) usually is characterized by gambling at the casino more than you planned. You may stay for several hours after losing hundreds or thousands of dollars.

5. You know that you need gambling addiction help while driving to the casino, or even while you are gambling. You do not get help for gambling, despite this need.

6. You want to quit gambling after your casino gambling experience because you are so laden with guilt, self-reproach, despair, and self-disgust.

7. The casino gaming experience is such a big high for you and gives you a vacation away from your problems. If you stop gambling, you know that you will have to give this us, but truly do not want to.

It is hoped that these indicators help you to identify whether or not you have a casino gambling problem. There is gambling addiction help, and you can stop gambling and reclaim your life. Quit gambling now, and you will see your life get better in all areas.

Remember that life is better when you stop gambling.

Long Before Las Vegas – History of Gambling in the US

It’s hard not to think of the glittering lights and non-stop pace of the Las Vegas strip when you think of gambling. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week there are people crowded around the blackjack and roulette tables hoping to hit it big. Gambling has long been a topic that leads to heated debates for a long time. However, gambling in the United States has a history that dates us back a long time before Las Vegas came around.

Gambling can be dated back to the earliest days of settlers in the 17th century. Attitudes about gambling varied by settlements as each one was founded by different members of the British colonies. The Puritans outlawed pretty much any form of gambling including dice, cards and even private tables. There was a lot of hostility towards the thought of someone who made gambling their profession. The English on the other hand, saw gambling as a pleasant and harmless distraction from everyday life and it was a popular past time. Eventually, people came to blame the problems of the new colonies on gambling and acceptance of it waned.

Once the early 19th century rolled around, gambling was still prevalent throughout the United States but it had begun to take on new forms. Lotteries were a very popular way to raise revenue for the states. The proceeds from lottery profits were used to build public works building such as schools and churches. Another form of gambling that popped up in the 19th century was horse racing. It was not nearly as large nor as organized as horse racing today but this is the first time we see gambling taking on new forms.

As the settlers of the United States moved west, so did gambling. It began to take on a more organized form in the sense of casinos. The purpose of these establishments however was not so much to raise revenue for the community but to take advantage of those making the long trek west. During this time in the 1800s, criticism of gambling on moral grounds was increasing. Scandals throughout lottery institutions and more permanent gambling casinos that were taking advantage of people were hit hard by social reform and eventually most forms of gambling throughout the country was prohibited.

When the gold rush hit California in the mid 1800s, people were itching to spend their new found wealth and gambling found its new mecca. Gambling spread through the state like wild fire and both private and public parties were relying on the revenue. Eventually, the popular mind set against gambling made its way west to California and laws were set in place to limit gambling. By the end of the 19th century, most forms of gambling were illegal but this of course did not stop people – it simply drove them out of sight of the authorities.

Limits on gambling began to subside into the 20th century and by the time the Great Depression hit in the 1930s, the public attitude towards gambling eased up significantly. All of a sudden gambling was not seen as a crime but as a way to help stimulate the economy. Forms of gambling such as bingo and horse racing saw a huge comeback during this time period. It was also during the 1930′s that gambling as an industry was formed in the state of Nevada – by organized crime professionals. There is still a fine line to walk between the crime world and the legal political world when it comes to gambling and forms of gambling other than government regulated lotteries are illegal in most states. There will surely be another shift in how gambling is viewed in this country and there will probably never be an agreement on the moral implications of such a practice but, it is sure that gambling will continue to evolve.

Gambling Addiction Treatment – Do You Need Gambling Specific Therapy?

There are some successful ways to administer gambling addiction treatment. Not every gambler is the same, the best recovery programs are specifically tailored to his or her needs.

Like with all other addictions, honesty plays a crucial role, the gambler must come to terms with their addiction first and foremost. Gambling can ruin marriages for the obvious reasons, often causing serious financial damage.

It also affects one psyche and causes undue emotional strain that may affect work and family. Overcoming a gambling addiction is a challenge like most addictions, however recovery is possible with the right program and support.

Gambling addiction is not a disease as drug addiction has come to be seen, so specific gambling therapy can work. Gambling addiction treatment can effectively provide steps to recovery.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy can break gambling addiction by focusing on the decision behavior process of the gambler. If the unhealthy gambling behavior can be addressed at its root cause, it can eliminate the impact of the false beliefs and harmful rationalizations.

The key is for the gambler to recognize the motivational emotions that compel them to gamble. Gambling specific therapy teaches them how to change their behavior rather than seek the high that gambling provides.

If the gambler can better understand the emotional reasons behind why they gamble, they can develop a mental defense mechanism to resist the temptation of gambling.

The goal of the gambling specific therapy is to rewire the addicted part of the brain by finding new ways to think about gambling. If thought patterns and beliefs are altered, then the gambler can reframe their thoughts and create a lasting impact.

Gambling specific therapy provides the necessary support that gamblers need. It’s important that gamblers have a trusted counselor that they can open up to. Sometimes they’ve carried the guilt for far too long inside. Effective therapy lays out a series of steps for the gambling treatment to occur step-by-step.

Quitting gambling is generally considered the easy part, staying in permanent recovery is the challenge. It’s important to support gamblers with people to whom they can be accountable, they must stay away from tempting situations or enablers. As with other addictions, patience is vital, gamblers need to fill the void with a more positive activity.

Gamblers can pursue thrill and excitement in other endeavors. They can find hobbies or activities that they are passionate about to help replace the void. Gambling addiction treatment can enhance the quality of life.

Part of the therapy entails analyzing the underlying factors that motivate the gambler. Usually there are several factors that cause compulsive gambling. The desire to make money quickly and the excitement of the game.

If the gambler learns how to make better decisions, they can avoid the temptation. Whenever the gambler feels the urge to gamble, they should have several steps in place that they can execute.

Firstly, they can call someone to assist them in their time of need. They can also consciously remind themselves to partake in another activity.

Also to gamble, you need money, they can get rid of excessive credit cards and avoid having bundles of cash around the house. They can also block all the gambling websites on their computer. In addition, they should also inform all the gambling establishments they frequent and alert them about the recovery program.

It’s possible to successfully implement gambling addiction treatment with therapy and a plan of action. Therapy can address the reasons for gambling and effectively change thoughts and habits to a sustainable recovery.

Addiction – When Gambling Becomes a Problem

While most people enjoy casino gambling, sports betting, lottery and bingo playing for the fun and excitement it provides, others may experience gambling as an addictive and distractive habit. Statistics show that while 85 percent of the adult population in the US enjoys some type of gambling every year, between 2 and 3 percent of will develop a gambling problem and 1 percent of them are diagnosed as pathological gamblers.

Where can you draw the line between harmless gambling to problem gambling? How can you tell if you or your friend are compulsive gamblers? Here you can find answers to these questions and other questions regarding problem gambling and gambling addiction.

What is the Meaning of Problem Gambling?

Problem gambling or compulsive gambling is defined as an uncontrollable urge to gamble despite the destructive effect of gambling on the gamblers life and despite feelings of guilt and remorse. Problem gambling tends to have a negative effect on the gamblers financial state, relationships and daily life. Severe cases of problem gambling can be defined as pathological gambling.

Am I a Compulsive Gambler?

1) Do you gamble until your last penny runs out?

2) Do you gamble to win back your former losses or debts?

3) Did you ever had to borrow money to continue gamble?

4) Did your gambling habit ever made you lie to your friends or family?

5) Did you ever skip work or other obligation to gamble?

6) Do you tend to gamble to forget about your personal problems or to celebrate happy occasions?

7) Does gambling have a negative affect on your daily life or relationships?

If you have answered yes on at least one of the questions listed above, then you have a problem.

Can Anyone Become a Compulsive Gambler?

Theoretically, yes. Any gambler can develop gambling problem regardless to the type of gambling he is occupied with, the amount of money and time he is spending on gambling. Researches show that slot machines that can be found in bars and convenient stores are the most addictive type of gambling activity, while lottery draws and bingo games are located on the other end of the scale. Gambling addiction is an emotional problem; its symptoms, causes and treatments are similar to any other form of addiction.

How Can I treat Gambling Addiction?

1) Group Therapy:

Gamblers Anonymous offers a 12 step self help program similar to the one offered to alcohol addicts in Alcoholics Anonymous. Group therapy also offers gambling addicts advice and support from professional counselors and other gambling addicts in different phases of their recovery process. Gambler Anonymous centers are available in more than 1,200 locations statewide.

2) Individual Therapy:

Cognitive or behavior therapy can help gambling addicts to identify their unaware thinking and acting patterns, which led them to gamble compulsively, and to replace them with controllable and healthier ways of thinking.

3) Psychiatric Medication:

It has recently been proven that antidepressant medications from the family of SSRIs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can be affective in treatment of gambling addicts.

As the editor of a guide to online casinos Jack Reider has had to deal with gambling addictions in all forms. He has helped users and Gamblers Anonymous organizations connect.