Gambling Addiction

Across the world, many people perceive gambling to be a somewhat harmless pastime.

However, just as it is possible for an individual to become addicted to a substance, individuals that regularly gamble can develop a gambling addiction.

Gambling addictions are classified as behavioural addictions.  The World Health Organisation has previously described behavioural addictions as addictive behaviours that are associated with functional impairment or distress.

Although the individual struggling with a behavioural addiction will not necessarily feel the same ramifications that an individual struggling with a substance addiction might, behavioural addictions can cause a wealth of repercussions to arise.

If you frequently gamble and believe that you may have developed a gambling addiction, we can provide you with gambling addiction treatment at our private residential rehab.

If you are concerned that a loved one has developed a gambling addiction, we can also support you and ensure that your loved one secures the treatment they require to overcome their addiction.

 

Gambling Addictions In The United Kingdom

Across the United Kingdom, millions of individuals gamble every single week.  In fact, it is believed that 31.1% of the population gamble on a weekly basis. Although gambling on a weekly, monthly or yearly basis does not automatically mean that an individual has developed a gambling addiction, gambling repeatedly does put many at risk.

As access to gambling has become more convenient, gambling addictions are becoming a significant problem in the United Kingdom.  Sadly, as gambling addictions arise, various consequences often come hand-in-hand.  Considering this, it is imperative to secure treatment if you are silently struggling with a gambling addiction.

 

The Ramifications of Gambling Addictions

Gambling addictions have various ramifications on the lives of many.  Not only do gambling addictions impair the lives of the millions of people silently suffering from an addiction, but they take their toll on families and even the wider community.

When considering the ramifications that a gambling addiction has on an individual, it is essential to remember that addictions have physical and psychological consequences.

If you are personally struggling with a gambling addiction, you will experience various signs and symptoms that will highlight that your addiction is intensifying.

Although many believe that behavioural addictions only impair an individual’s behaviour, gambling addictions can also have various repercussions on an individual’s physical and psychological health.

While those struggling with gambling addictions will feel the most severe ramifications, families, friends, and even employers will too encounter many consequences of gambling addictions.

For example, when individuals become addicted to gambling, they will spend a significant amount of money, which often leads to debt.  Sadly, this does not prevent an individual from gambling and eventually sees families struggling financially.

In addition to the above, when a gambling addiction is present in an individual’s life, they are at greater risk of developing a second addiction, such as a drug or alcohol addiction.  Sadly, this amplifies a gambling addiction and drastically reduces the quality of an individual’s life.

 

Signs That A Gambling Addiction Is Present

As your gambling addiction intensifies, you will, as touched on above, experience numerous physical, psychological and behavioural signs and symptoms.

Although you may wish to keep your addiction a secret from others, you must not ignore the signs and symptoms that come hand-in-hand with a gambling addiction.

Failure to address a gambling addiction when signs and symptoms arise will gradually see your addiction intensify and impair the quality of your life.

Below, we have outlined just a number of the signs and symptoms you may experience when a gambling addiction is present.

• Heightened levels of anxiety
• Bouts of insomnia
• Paranoia
• Weight gain or weight loss
• Changes in appearance such as changes in your complexion
• Suicidal thoughts
• Becoming increasingly secretive
• Spending large amounts of money
• Debt
• Isolating yourself from others
• Impaired performance in the workplace
• Struggling to concentrate on small tasks
• Inability to focus
• Mood swings
• Changes in your personality

 

The Stages Of Gambling Addictions

As a gambling addiction arises, those suffering will encounter various stages of an addiction.  Each stage determines the severity of an addiction and outlines the behaviours that may well be encountered.

Below, we have outlined the various stages of gambling addictions.

Regardless of the stage you find yourself at, we would highly recommend contacting us for gambling addiction treatment.

 

Stage One – Pre-occupation

Gamblers get obsessed with their next gambling fix and find it difficult to concentrate on day to day activities like work or study.

 

Stage Two – Increased stakes

Gambling addicts may bet substantial amounts of money to achieve the same high that they get from winning.

 

Stage Three – Chasing Losses

Gambling addicts will often bet money that they cannot afford and then lose. They will then bet larger volumes of money to try and get the money back. They will often run up large debts this way.

 

Stage Four – Withdrawal

Many gamblers become irritable when they are unable to gamble. This can lead to a plethora of withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety and mood swings.

 

Gambling Addiction Treatment

If you sadly find yourself struggling with a gambling addiction, the vicious cycle that addictions impose will often leave you feeling as if there is no way to overcome your addiction.  You will likely feel trapped, unable to free yourself from the shackles addictions impose.  As a result, you may lose hope and succumb to your addiction regardless of the consequences associated.

If this resonates with you, at Cassiobury Court, we provide gambling addiction treatment to many individuals just like you.

Our treatment will help you withdraw from your addiction and will further provide you with psychological rehabilitation such as therapy to help you understand what has caused your addiction to arise.  In doing so, you will be able to develop coping strategies that will ultimately alleviate your addiction once and for all.

 

Contact Cassiobury Court Today

If you are ready to seek support for your gambling addiction, please contact us on 01923 369 161.

With our gambling addiction treatment, we can help you secure a life free from the burden of addiction.