Gambling addiction is defined as persistent and recurrent inappropriate
gambling behavior that disrupts personal, family or professional goals. Gambling addiction brings with it negative
consequences that harm the individual. The individual, who is disturbed by these negative consequences, wants to stop this behavior, but has a strong desire to gamble. There are many underlying causes of gambling addiction. Although the cause of gambling addiction is thought to be biological, social factors are much more prominent. The loss of one of the parents or a relative, the threat of his life or physical diseases, problems related to work and career, high achievement, problems in human relations, and finally alcohol and substance addiction, these addictions accelerate the process in the development of pathological gambling and cause addiction. are the factors. In fact, placing too much value on money and material things, not giving enough importance to important economic activities such as making plans, allowing games such as luck and winning in childhood and not being opposed, and gambling addiction in family members. Gambling addiction negatively affects the individual both psychologically and socially. The individual has an intense thought about his gambling habit and wants to relive his past gambling experiences. It constantly increases the level of money to increase the excitement. The more they lose, the more they become ambitious to get back the money they lost, and when this does not happen, they try to cover up their behavior and losses with lies. It engages in illegal acts such as fraud, fraud, theft, embezzlement by seeking new ways of making money with lies. Because of his passion for gambling, he cannot fulfill his responsibilities towards his family and surroundings. This addiction of people who play games of chance at a level that they cannot control themselves causes psychological problems in their spouses and children, neglect of parental duties, separation or divorce, the destruction of their families, economic bankruptcy and suicide as a result of the depression they enter. Depression, suicide risk, obsessive compulsive disorder, sexual dysfunctions, money Disorders such as noya are common. The possibility of accessing addictive items such as alcohol and substances increases and other addictions may develop.
There are things that a person with a gambling addiction can do to get rid of this addiction, both he and his relatives.
The person should distance himself from the places where he gambles, and if he is playing from internet sites
he should keep a distance from these sites. In order to achieve this, the thought of gambling, which can be counted as a prerequisite, is to get away from the factors that form in the mind of the individual. In order for the withdrawal to be successful, it may be beneficial for the person to add new habits and hobbies to replace their current addiction. In this way, the person may think of gambling less frequently, as he will be busy with other activities. Another factor that can remind a person of gambling addiction is meeting and meeting with people who gamble with or are related to gambling. The person may need to change the people around him in order to get away from the gambling reminders. In this way, the person will not be exposed to discussions about gambling. A person who wants to get rid of his gambling addiction can only have enough money to meet his daily needs. Having a large amount of money in hand can push a person to gamble. For this, the dependent person can agree with one of his family and get his money from him on a daily basis. It should not be forgotten that families should be prepared for begging, threats or asking for money through accusation by the dependent person and develop solutions. People who gamble on websites can try to turn off their credit cards for online shopping. If he receives therapy by a psychologist, it will be easier to get rid of addictions
and healthier foundations will be laid. In the therapy process, the individual will have the chance to express his thoughts that both push him to gamble and make him a prisoner of this situation.
With cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a therapy technique
, some steps can be observed in order to overcome gambling addiction. These are: goal setting, increasing motivation, time management, self-control, gradual task assignment, problem solving, cognitive restructuring and coping with disturbing emotions.
Read: 0
