While its important to remove alcohol and/or drugs from the system. Essentially that’s not where the problem lies.
In Pretoria and Johannesburg www.crossroadsrecovery.co.za
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A gambling addiction is a progressive addiction that can have many negative psychological, physical, and social repercussions. It is classed as an impulse-control disorder.
It is included in the American Psychiatric Association (APA’s) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, fifth edition (DSM-5).
Problem gambling is harmful to psychological and physical health. People who live with this addiction may experience depression, migraine, distress, intestinal disorders, and other anxiety-related problems.
As with other addictions, the consequences of gambling can lead to feelings of despondency and helplessness. In some cases, this can lead to attempts at suicide.
The rate of problem gambling has risen globally over the last few years. In the United States in 2012, around 5.77 million people had a gambling disorder that needed treatment.
Because of its harmful consequences, gambling addiction has become a significant public health concern in many countries.
Gambling addiction comes in many forms, the primary symptom being a craving for gaming.
Some of the signs and symptoms of problem gambling include:
Gambling is not a financial problem, but an emotional problem that has financial consequences.
It also impacts the way in which the person with the disorder relates to his or her family and friends. For instance, they may miss important events in the family, or they might miss work.
For a diagnosis of gambling addiction, The DSM-5 states that a person must show or experience at least four of the following during the past 12 months:
Gambling can lead to a range of problems, but the addiction can happen to anyone. No one can predict who will develop an addiction to gambling.
The activity can be described on a spectrum, ranging from abstinence through recreational gambling to problem gambling.
Gambling behaviour becomes a problem when it cannot be controlled and when it interferes with finances, relationships, and the workplace. The individual may not realize they have a problem for some time.
Many people who develop a gambling addiction are considered responsible and dependable people, but some factors can lead to a change in behaviour.
Studies have suggested that people with a tendency to one addiction may be more at risk of developing another. Genetic and neurological factors may play a role.
Some people who are affected by gambling may also have a problem with alcohol or drugs, possibly due to a predisposition for addiction.
The use of some medications has been linked to a higher risk of compulsive gambling.
Secondary addictions can also occur in an effort to reduce the negative feelings created by the gambling addiction. However, some people who gamble never experience any other addiction.
Gambling addiction is a debilitating condition, causing depression and distress.
For someone with a gambling addiction, the feeling of gambling is equivalent to taking a drug or having a drink.
Gambling behaviour alters the person’s mood and state of mind.
As the person becomes used to this feeling, they keep repeating the behaviour, attempting to achieve that same effect.
A person who has an addiction to gambling needs to gamble more to get the same “high.” In some instances, they “chase” their losses, thinking that if they continue to engage in gambling, they will win back lost money.
A vicious circle develops, and an increased craving for the activity. At the same time, the ability to resist drops. As the craving grows in intensity and frequency, the ability to control the urge to gamble is weakened.
This can have a psychological, personal, physical, social, or professional impact.
Neither the frequency of gambling nor the amount lost will determine whether gambling is a problem for an individual. .
Some people engage in periodic gambling binges rather than regularly, but the emotional and financial consequences will be the same.
Medical News Today. What’s to know about gambling addiction by Christian Nordqvist. 2018. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/15929.php
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Having enough insight to self diagnose addiction can be tenuous at best. Have a look at the questionnaire below, its a good guideline. Asking for help is always first prize!
| YES | NO | ||
| 1. | Do you lose time from work due to drinking/addiction? | ||
| 2. | Is drinking/addiction making your home life unhappy? | ||
| 3. | Do you drink because you are shy with other people? | ||
| 4. | Is drinking/addiction affecting your reputation? | ||
| 5. | Have you ever felt remorse after drinking/using drugs? | ||
| 6. | Have you gotten into financial difficulties as a result of drinking/addiction? | ||
| 7. | Do you turn to lower companions and an inferior environment when drinking/using drugs? | ||
| 8. | Does your drinking/addiction make you careless of your family’s welfare? | ||
| 9. | Has your ambition decreased since drinking/addiction? | ||
| 10 | Do you crave a drink/use drugs at a definite time daily? | ||
| 11. | Do you want a drink/use drugs the next morning? | ||
| 12. | Does drinking/addiction cause you to have difficulty in sleeping? | ||
| 13. | Has your efficiency decreased since drinking/addiction? | ||
| 14. | Is drinking/addiction jeopardizing your job or business? | ||
| 15. | Do you drink/use drugs to escape from worries or trouble? | ||
| 16. | Do you drink/use drugs alone? | ||
| 17. | Have you ever had a complete loss of memory as a result of drinking/addiction? | ||
| 18. | Has your physician ever treated you for drinking/addiction? | ||
| 19. | Do you drink/use drugs to build up your self-confidence? | ||
| 20. | Have you ever been to a hospital or institution on account of drinking/addiction? |
Alcohol and drug rehabilitation centres.
In Pretoria and Johannesburg www.crossroadsrecovery.co.za
Book a No Obligation Confidential Assessment at your nearest Treatment Centre Today.
What is the connection between fear and the disease of addiction? Fear is often referred to as an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain or harm. It also occurs when we perceive something or someone as likely to be dangerous, painful or harmful. Fear can cause a change in the body and the organs which can ultimately lead to a change in behavior. This can cause a fight or flight response in animals and humans such as running away from, hiding from or freezing when facing the perceived threat. In humans, fear is modulated by the process of cognition and learning.
The question we ask ourselves is, how does fear contribute or form part of the disease of addiction?
Why do addicts choose to stay in the same revolving cycle of self-destruction? Why is it so difficult for addicts to keep clean, specifically in early recovery? The belief is that fear seems to play a major role in addiction. When most addicts use, they feel that they are invincible in some sense. All their troubles and fears that surround them seem to fall away and they feel that they can face life on life’s terms easily and without worry.
A young girl once told me that she started using drugs because she felt different, that she would never be good enough or that she was worthless to society. This was why she used drugs as it helped her to feel like she had a purpose and that people accepted her. She then later realised in early recovery that they were only using her, and the feelings of worthlessness and loneliness crept in all over again and this caused her relapse as she was fearful that she would never belong.
The reality is, once the drugs stop working, the fear comes crashing down on them all over again. Addicts are often driven by fear. The fear of the unknown, the fear of loneliness, fear of never being good enough, fear of worthlessness, the list goes on and on.
What is the difference between rational and irrational fear in relation to addiction? Rational beliefs represent reasonable, objective, flexible, and constructive conclusions or inferences about reality that support survival, happiness, and healthy results whereas irrational beliefs cloud your consciousness with distortions, misconceptions, overgeneralizations, and oversimplifications. Irrational fears present themselves in conditions such as impulsiveness, arrogance, defeatism, condemnation, depression, anxiety, hostility, insecurity, addictions, procrastination, prejudice, envy, compulsions, and obsessions.
Irrational fears seem to be the leading cause as to why addicts relapse or continue to use drugs, as they possibly cause the addict to not be able to deal with life on life’s terms leading to anxiety and panic which then leads to relapse.
An example of rational fear would be the fear of death, relapse, financial security, recovery, etc. An example of an irrational fear would be my husband is cheating on me while I’m in treatment, everybody judges me, I will never fit in, etc.
For people in recovery, fear can never be removed, it can however, be outgrown. Fear is ‘False evidence appearing real’ It is about the addict being able to manage the emotions and thoughts in a healthy manner. An addict needs to realize what the fear is, deciding whether it is a rational or irrational fear, and if they can do anything about it or if they need to let that fear go and surrender to a higher power. There are many ways to go about this and this includes prayer and meditation, writing them down so they are able to analyse them, 12 step fellowships, to name a few.
The choice is up to the addict, do they want to fear everything and run, or face everything and recover.
Dominique LeClaire Rossouw
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