Before You Offer Help – Understanding The Different Stages of A Gambling Problem
Before diving in and offering help, you must first understand if the person is actually at risk. Start by trying to identify the reason that person might be gambling. Is it purely for entertainment purposes, or is there a more serious issue?
A gambling addiction or problem can be rooted in a number of causes, such as substance abuse or mood disorders. Sometimes it’s born of boredom or an obsession with the thrill of a big win. Whatever the reason, gambling can develop into a problem, and eventually spiral into a full blown addiction.
While all on the same spectrum, there are different degrees of a gambling compulsion. If indeed a problem exists, identifying motivations will help you to offer the correct form of support.
What Is Gambling Addiction?
Gambling addiction, also called pathological gambling, compulsive gambling or a gambling disorder, is an impulse-control issue. The individual becomes obsessed with chasing wins, and is desensitized to any actions that hurt themselves or those around them.
The addiction almost always escalates, resulting in more money spent on bigger bets. The gambler becomes completely unable to control their impulse to gamble, even when they’re aware the odds are against them, or that they can’t afford to sustain their habit.
On the other hand, problem gambling is what’s considered to be the beginning of a gambling addiction. It’s perfectly possible to have an unhealthy relationship with gambling, but not be completely out of control. In fact, this is more common than you might think.
Those with greater disposable income can be harder to identify. But just because they can afford it, it doesn’t mean they haven’t developed problem gambling. If they’re chasing losses, and spending more and more, the individual most likely has a gambling problem.
Identifying a Developing Gambling Problem
It’s important to understand that anyone can develop a gambling problem. It isn’t a sign of weakness or a genetic trait, but it can often be learned behavior from senior family members.
Before you know it, your gambling activities can go from fun and harmless, to destructive and unhealthy. This applies to slots, blackjack, roulette, poker, horse betting, sports betting, and everything in between.
Individuals who develop a negative relationship with gambling may begin to:
- Display distressed, angry, irritated, or depressed behavior when they don’t win.
- Show decline in personal grooming and hygiene.
- Nurture a perception that they’re particularly skilled gamblers.
- Demonstrate excessive or increased spending on casinos.
- Request to borrow money from family and friends.
- Gamble at odd hours of the day, even during work times.
Problem and At Risk Gambling
The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) is one of the gambling industry’s most respected regulators. Their purpose is to impose checks and restrictions on gambling operators to increase safety protocols and protect players.
To determine the level of harm caused and protection required, the UKGC assesses players on a risk-based scale:
- Problem gambling – Here the individual gambles with negative consequences and a possible loss of control. They might often spend over their limit, gamble to win back money and feel stressed about their gambling.
- Moderate-risk gamblers – In this phase the negative consequences are less severe. The gambler might sometimes spend more than they can afford, lose track of time or feel guilty about their gambling.
- Low-risk gamblers – At this lower level, it can be harder to identify the negative impact. While the gambler might spend too much or feel guilty, it’s far less frequent and can be easy to miss.
A person with a developing issue would be considered low-risk or moderate-risk, but not having quite reached the level of a problem gambler. However, the addiction can easily progress.
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Dive Deeper Into The Early Signs of Developing Problem
Looking for more reading material? Our helpful guide on the early stages of gambling addiction will provide a deeper look at the beginnings of gambling addiction, and offer helpful resources.