23/09/2009, Addiction
Problem gambling is a behavior which causes disruptions in any major area of life: social, physical and psychological.
The gambling addiction means having difficulties in limiting money and time spent on gambling and this leads to severe consequences for the gambler and even for the community.
It is very important that every player knows how to prevent these kind of problems and how to find the best assistance. Every online casino should warn its players about this danger.
People suffering from gambling addiction are often unable to control their impulses.
Studies estimate that 2% of those who gamble, are struggling with the gambling addiction.
A gambling addiction is very similar to any other addiction, such as caffeine, drugs, alcohol, nicotine, etc.
People suffering from addiction generally develop physical symptoms which may include depression, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety or headaches.
The compulsive gambling usually starts at an early age and soon after a big win.
However, these could be accompanied by difficult emotional periods in life.
Before seeking help for the problem, the player must acknowledge and accept his addiction and he must show a strong desire to stop playing.
Other causes of gambling addiction include the emotional immaturity, the low self esteem, the stress, the traumatic experiences, etc.
Here are some of the most important warning signs that people should pay attention at:

The player spends lots of money gambling;
The player becomes defensive if someone expresses some concerns about his gambling habits;
The player borrows money from family and friends or he sells his belongings in order to pay for gambling or to continue to gamble;
The player places larger bets over the time and the bets are usually more than he can reasonably afford to lose;
The player feels anxious, depressed or irritable when he is not gambling;
The player gambles in order to escape from personal problems.
Fortunately, there are many experts in this field and like any other addiction, problem gambling can be stopped.
It is never easy, but recovery is possible if you stick with treatment and seek support.
The players with such problems should seek professional assistance through organizations or programs such as Gamblers Anonymous (a twelve-step recovery program patterned after Alcoholics Anonymous), the National Council on Problem Gambling or they may even search for a therapist, because therapy is for those who are smart enough to realize that they need help.
However, prevention is better than cure, so people engaging in gambling, online or land-based, should watch for the above symptoms and seek for professional help in case of addiction.
Remember that gambling is for fun and entertainment only and try to do it responsibly!