Gambling
For many, gambling is an attractive, fun form of entertainment. It’s typically conducted between two or more parties and can be categorised in four main categories: Gaming (e.g., cards, fruit machines); Betting (e.g., sports, political events); Lotteries (e.g., scratch cards, raffles); and Speculation (e.g., stock markets, insurances). Based on uncertainty, outcomes of events determine the distribution of items (or behaviours) of value. However, for some, gambling can become a problem (or addiction, compulsion, dependency, pathology, etc.), reinforced by frequency of betting, short delays between “purchase” and “outcome”, and ease of access.
Problem gambling affects all subtypes of people (any age, gender, ethnicity), but there are 3 main paths suggested:
Regardless of the pathway used, problem gambling brings relational, social, and personal chaos, can be evasive, and hard to control; it can be all consuming for a person who considers gambling as primary to most other life factors:
Signs of Problem Gambling
Due to Gambling:
Initial and ongoing phases of gambling vary between individuals, and one can go back and forth:
Such phases are driven by our schemas (i.e., sets of thoughts, beliefs, memories, attitudes, values, and images) that drive how we behave, e.g., “gambling is a disease”, “gambling helps me cope”, “I’m only worthy when I win”, “I can only get rich by gambling”. By identifying the faulty or irrational schemas, analysing them and creating plans of behaviour to challenge them, one can overcome problematic behaviours. A big challenge is the ambivalence of wanting to change vs not wanting to change. Some people need multiple supports and fundamental shifts in their schemas; and very few people (if any) can be “forced” to change by other people. The information in the following link merely highlights some techniques that can be supplemental to approaches in overcoming problem gambling. Click here for my sheet on abstaining or reducing gambling.
Problem gambling affects all subtypes of people (any age, gender, ethnicity), but there are 3 main paths suggested:
- The “normal” problem gambler who’s influenced by (or learnt from) environment, circumstance, and socialisation from TV, family, and/or friends;
- The psychologically vulnerable gambler, who’s susceptible to stress, anxiety, and/or depression, has potentially experienced a trauma/upheaval in life and gambles to emotionally escape (dissociate) or to cope;
- The impulsive gambler, who’s impulsive by nature, easily bored, overactive, and requires much stimulation and novel experiences, giving little forethought to consequences.
Regardless of the pathway used, problem gambling brings relational, social, and personal chaos, can be evasive, and hard to control; it can be all consuming for a person who considers gambling as primary to most other life factors:
- Before Gambling: Craving/Preoccupation; Fear of missing a win; Over-confident in winning; Excitement of buying “winning” ticket; Irritation/Anger with obstacles to gambling.
- During Gambling: Focus solely on gambling; Excitement/physical arousal; Irrational self-talk; Superstitious behaviour to increase chance of winning.
- After a Win: Relief; Anticipating next bet; Confidence/“all skill”; Elated mood; Inflated ego; Pride.
- After a Loss: Guilt/Remorse; Fear of being caught; Money worries; Preparing lies to conceal; Self-directed anger; Determination to never gamble again, whilst planning chasing losses; Overlooking problems or blunting them with substance abuse.
Signs of Problem Gambling
Due to Gambling:
- Lost time from work, day, reality
- Decreased ambition, efficiency, reputation
- Lessened home-life happiness, disinterest in family and own welfare, incompletion of responsibilities
- Increased financial problems, guilt/remorse, lies and fights
- Begged, borrowed, stole
- Feelings of depression, anxiety, anger, self-harm, substance abuse, distraction, and social, family, and work problems
- Solve financial problems
- Celebrate, distract, self-soothe, escape worry or distress
Initial and ongoing phases of gambling vary between individuals, and one can go back and forth:
- Winning Phase: often introduced by family/friends, one quickly learns that gambling is linked with fun, excitement, and distraction. A win ensues quickly and fantasies of winning more strengthens.
- Losing Phase: good luck fades and one loses more than intended or can afford, and “chasing” ensues. Unpredictable and Intermittent wins reinforces gambling and loss of control.
- Desperation Phase: lack of control and irrational gambling increases and responsibilities, friends, family etc are neglected. Gambling is prioritised and damaging behaviour ensues, then shame.
Such phases are driven by our schemas (i.e., sets of thoughts, beliefs, memories, attitudes, values, and images) that drive how we behave, e.g., “gambling is a disease”, “gambling helps me cope”, “I’m only worthy when I win”, “I can only get rich by gambling”. By identifying the faulty or irrational schemas, analysing them and creating plans of behaviour to challenge them, one can overcome problematic behaviours. A big challenge is the ambivalence of wanting to change vs not wanting to change. Some people need multiple supports and fundamental shifts in their schemas; and very few people (if any) can be “forced” to change by other people. The information in the following link merely highlights some techniques that can be supplemental to approaches in overcoming problem gambling. Click here for my sheet on abstaining or reducing gambling.