Gambling Addiction Basics

The coming age has brought with it numerous new pathological addictions, one of them being addiction to gambling. Pathological gambling was conferred with the status of a disease by the American Psychiatric Association back in 1980s. Robert L. Custer, M.D., is a pioneer in this field of problem gambling.

People who fall prey to this addiction are usually those who secure an income by means of blackjack, poker or other gambling activities. They are professional players who visit casinos not for fun sake, but to employ their skills and earn.

Based on their way of playing and the driving force behind it, gamblers can be categorized. For example, while professional gamblers are skillful and good in their game a casual gamblers plays merely for recreation.

The symptoms of gambling addiction are usually hard to identify. Since this disease is different from other substance related addictions like drug or alcohol abuse, the indications of this sickness are subtle. The nearest possible way in which the symptoms of this addiction can be stated is through the "Custer three Phase Model". According tot his model, the gambling addiction can be characterized by three phases: the wining phase, the losing phase and the desperation phase.

In the wining stage, the compulsive gambler is ecstatic and overexcited with this earnings and is unwilling to quit gambling. Therefore, the addict usually increases his intensity of gambling . However, losing being the other half of gambling, his wining streak is short-lived. Nonetheless, recurrent losses do not deter him as he wants to win again and get his money back. Addicted gamblers suffer from financial stress, loss of sleep, and mental fatigue in this phase. They face problems at the family front. The patient also tends to borrow huge amounts or avail some money making schemes. As the gambler continues to face loss on every alternate day, he finds it difficult to stay away from gambling. Compulsive gamblers may resort to any means to raise funds for their obsession. They become desperate, with their debts becoming unmanageable. Loss of jobs, fight with friends and family, committing crimes or suicidal tendencies define this phase.

The question as to why does one gamble, can not be answered in definitive terms. One of the dominant reasons is the mental health of the gambler. For some people gambling serves as a n escape route from their lives. A compulsive gambler plays for kicks. He is just unable to stay away from it. Many researchers also blame the easy accessibility to casinos. The government and its lottery fund is also widely condemned.

Treatment programs and centers exist to treat this disease. Regular therapy and counseling is an effective and a widely used technique to cure this disease. Various support groups have also cropped up, where the addicts share their experiences and strengthen each others desire to quit gambling. Some groups that fund such programs include casinos and state lotteries. Some casinos lay stress on responsible gambling and have taken steps to make the people aware about his addiction.

However the first step, before undertaking nay treatment would be to acknowledge this disease. With very slight symptoms and effects this addiction is difficult to catch and acknowledge. Hence it helps to be aware to act wisely.

Mansi Aggarwal writes about gambling addiction. Learn more at http://www.gamblingaddictinfo.com

---

Holdem Starting Hands

Top starting hands should be raised and played aggressively. AA,... Read More

Slot Machines - Does Location Make a Difference?

Books have been written on this subject and the debates... Read More

Raising vs. Calling in Holdem Poker

When playing poker we are constantly required to make decisions.... Read More

World Series of Poker Tournament Circuit

On October 25, 2004 Harrah's announced the creation of the... Read More

Greyhound Racing Basics

In Egypt the greyhounds were mummified and buried with their... Read More

The Secrets of Basic Craps Tournaments

Pssst...! Wanna know a secret?How about the secrets of basic... Read More

Tips & Strategies for Slot Players

1. Always play with money you can afford to lose.Let's... Read More

Three Card Poker Hand Rankings

Even though Three Card Poker is a fairly easy game... Read More

Secrets of Texas Hold Em

First if you are tired, angry, drunk or your condition... Read More

The Secrets of Laying the Four and Ten

Pssst...! Wanna know a secret?How about the secrets of laying... Read More

Why Play Texas Hold em?

Ah, yes-the Texas hold 'em explosion. Seven years ago, when... Read More

Compulsive Gambler Seeks Alternatives To Stop Gambling

Compulsive gambler's life was devastated by gambling and now seeks... Read More

Online Casino Free Cash Bonus Means Sometimes No Money At All

Giving away online casino bonuses by casino operators seems to... Read More

Stay Young- Play Bingo!

Exercise, intellectual stimulation, surgery, meditation or detox ? you name... Read More

You Can Make Poker Less Painful (or--A Pain in the Arse can be Removed ...without Surgery)

As you will read in this article, the removal of... Read More

Video Poker: Why People Lose More Than They Should

Ask any casino executive and they'll tell you that video... Read More

Why Do People Gamble?

Gambling is the act of wagering money on the outcome... Read More

Be Careful or Your Poker Nuts Will Get Crushed!

The origins of the phrase "poker nuts" are uncertain although... Read More

The Other World Series: The 2005 World Series Of Poker

Growing up, the American dream for many boys was playing... Read More

Casino Gambling Tips for Online Gambling

Casino gambling tips for the Internet are good to know... Read More

Online Poker Chips Away At Sexual Stereotypes

Women are being increasingly attracted to the excitement of online... Read More

Tips to Win at Poker

The following are guidelines only and although they are intended... Read More

2005 World Series of Poker -- Final Tournament Report

Now that the 2005 World Series of Poker has finished,... Read More

No Deposit Online Casino Bonus is for Lucky and Wise Only - The Myth of Free Money

No deposit bonuses are very popular, especially among "not-so-wealthy" online... Read More

How to Play Video Poker Slot Machines

Video Poker is a game that requires some skill to... Read More