Why a Gambling Addiction is a Dangerous One

It is mainly men who cannot stop Habanero, but many women also find themselves unable to quit gambling. In this article, we will call the gambler “he” but it could just as easily read “she.”

1. Preoccupied With Gambling

The gambler who cannot put a stop to gambling will walk, talk and breathe gambling. He will tell stories of previous big wins, often exaggerating the size of the jackpot. He will regularly corner others, telling anybody who will listen about his latest scheme, or his unbeatable strategy. He will usually use more than one form of gambling, being unable to stop gambling online, at the track, or on the pokies. Even bingo and the lottery hold him spell-bound. He loses interest in his normal activities and hobbies, instead becoming increasingly obsessed with gambling.

2. More And More

Just as a drug addict needs an ever increasing supply of drugs to achieve the same high, so a gambling addict finds himself betting more and more – not for greater winnings, but to obtain the same kick and level of excitement as before.

3. Can’t Stop

Even if he wanted to, the problem gambler is powerless to quit gambling. He becomes impatient and irritable when trying to even cut back. For the gambler, betting is a method of escaping problems or relieving stress.

4. The Cover-Up

The gambler lies to family and friends – and sometimes even to himself -about the amount being gambled in order to hide his dependency. At the same time, he brags and exaggerates the size of winnings. When confronted, he denies having a problem at all, and he becomes angry if the subject is pursued. The lies become a way of life. He withdraws from family and friends, and even lies about his whereabouts while gambling.

5. Dependent

The gambler will start relying on others to bail him out of financial crises. He regularly borrows from family and friends until their good will has been used up and they refuse to lend him any more money – at least until he repays what he already owes them. Then, mortgages and loans are refinanced. Bills remain unpaid. Life assurance is cashed in. The gambler may even start committing frauds and thefts to finance his gambling addiction.