If you’re experiencing compulsive gambling, you may have a problem. Listed below are signs of problem gambling. Having the occasional flutter is fine; however, if you find that your gambling has become a habit, you may have a gambling addiction. Listed below are treatment options for problem gambling. If you’re having trouble determining if you’re suffering from a gambling addiction, talk to a trusted counselor or doctor.
Problematic gambling
While problematic gambling is a synonym for gambling disorder in DSM-5 terminology, it may be more accurate to use the term “gambling disorder” for this condition. This scale measures perceived stress levels, and is also used to determine a person’s overall vulnerability to stress, which is known to contribute to many mental health problems. This scale contains 14 items with 4-point Likert scales, and its reliability was confirmed in two separate surveys.
Both samples had high prevalences of problem gambling, despite varying definitions of the term. Overall, a substantial percentage of adolescents met criteria for problematic gambling. These rates were 1.7% and 2.2%, respectively. However, the prevalence rates doubled to 4.9% and 3.8%, respectively, in the second sample. These results are consistent with previous reports. The high prevalence rates, however, do not suggest that the population with problem gambling is completely free of these symptoms.
Ways to recognize a gambling problem
There are several ways to recognize a gambling problem in yourself or someone you know. One of the biggest signs that you might have a gambling problem is lying. When a person is unable to control their spending habits, they will lie about it to conceal their behavior. If you know that a person has a gambling problem, you can ask them about their bank statements, computer activities, and receipts. If they can’t explain them, chances are good that they’re hiding something.
Another warning sign is borrowing money. People with gambling problems usually borrow money in order to keep up with their habit. They may use their normal lending options, but when these are not enough, they often turn to payday loans, credit cards, or illegal loan sharks. Problem gamblers are desperate to continue gambling, and they’ll go to any lengths to get more money. They may even hurt themselves or lose their relationships to fund their gambling habit.
Treatment options for problem gambling
There are various treatment options for problem gambling. Many of them focus on behavior modification or change. The aim of these interventions is to decrease resistance to the behavior and increase motivation to change. The more often the behavior is repeated, the more strongly the pathways to addiction become reinforced and the urge to continue and increase becomes more strong. Though some people can moderate their behavior for a limited time, most of them regain control and return to their problem behavior.
The low rate of treatment seeking is related to the prevalence of gambling-related health problems and behaviours. The general population was asked to suggest the type of treatment that would be most beneficial to a friend suffering from problem gambling. Among the respondents, a large proportion recommended non-professional treatment, whereas a minority of people advised contacting health-care or social authorities. Those who recommended professional treatment were more likely to be younger and have previously sought psychological treatment.