There are many types of addictions but one of the most destructive is gambling. Gambling addicts have resorted to thieving, lying and incurred massive financial and physical debts in order to feed their addiction. Most shocking of all, gambling is legal in most parts of the world.
Many people say that it's quite easy to become addicted to gambling, especially with the ease and anonymity that online Internet gaming sites now offer. These days, you don't even need to trek to the local bookies to make your bet. You can do it all from the comfort of your home and at a time to suite you, 24hours a day.
Current smartphones make it even easier to place and make bets because you don't even need to be in front of a computer.
To be fair, gambling is widespread. Many people gamble and have placed small bets on the Superbowl, the World Cup Finals, the World Series, the Grand National or the FA Cup. Indeed, lots of people all over the world play the lottery. This is the acceptable face of gambling. But there is a dark and destructive aspect to gambling that forms into a powerful addiction that can be completely devastating.
So if gambling is legal and so widespread, why isn't everyone addicted? Because most people know when to quit and go home! Gambling doesn't have to be addictive. You need strong self-control and an instinct to know when to stop. You need to have much more important things to do and think about in your life.
Nature abhors a vacuum. Gambling fills a need in the addicts life. It's a substitute for something that's missing in their daily existence. Compulsive gamblers have lost all rationality along the way and are convinced that 'luck' is with them. Logic and sanity have been thrown out of the window.
You should know that gambling is an EXACT science! In the the end, the gambling addict always loses. It was designed that way. The 'house' eventually always wins to make profits for its owners and shareholders.
Even if you gamble for fun and not for money, it may not be as harmless as you want to think! You must be on your guard at all times or it could be just a matter of time before you fall into an addiction. A single large win could be the one powerful trigger that pushes you over. You'll start to believe that you're 'lucky' or a 'smart gambler'. This is the wrong mindset and will lead to trouble.
If you get the urge to gamble, ask a close friend or a family member to play in a low-risk game that does not involve money. The bet could be take out the garbage or do the weekly shopping or walk the dog.
Online gambling sites will try to lure you into becoming a member by offering you 'free' gambling or 'just for fun' demonstrations where you bet with 'play money' rather than real cash. DON'T be seduced into this madness! If you have strong impulses to gamble, this 'play mode' could eventually develop into a real addiction that involves real money.
If you fear that you have an addiction you must seek out professional help in combating it. Search out share groups in your community who are there to help you with your addiction. Gambling is an addiction that is curable and many former gamblers have gone on to lead normal and fulfilling lives.
As with everything in life, it comes down to choice. You are where you are in life because of the choices that you made along the way. Each choice that you made led you along a certain path that has resulted in the position you find yourself in today.
No one can force you to gamble. Gambling is your choice. You don't have to gamble to have a good time. You can choose NOT to gamble. Remember, prevention is better than cure.
Many people say that it's quite easy to become addicted to gambling, especially with the ease and anonymity that online Internet gaming sites now offer. These days, you don't even need to trek to the local bookies to make your bet. You can do it all from the comfort of your home and at a time to suite you, 24hours a day.
Current smartphones make it even easier to place and make bets because you don't even need to be in front of a computer.
To be fair, gambling is widespread. Many people gamble and have placed small bets on the Superbowl, the World Cup Finals, the World Series, the Grand National or the FA Cup. Indeed, lots of people all over the world play the lottery. This is the acceptable face of gambling. But there is a dark and destructive aspect to gambling that forms into a powerful addiction that can be completely devastating.
So if gambling is legal and so widespread, why isn't everyone addicted? Because most people know when to quit and go home! Gambling doesn't have to be addictive. You need strong self-control and an instinct to know when to stop. You need to have much more important things to do and think about in your life.
Nature abhors a vacuum. Gambling fills a need in the addicts life. It's a substitute for something that's missing in their daily existence. Compulsive gamblers have lost all rationality along the way and are convinced that 'luck' is with them. Logic and sanity have been thrown out of the window.
You should know that gambling is an EXACT science! In the the end, the gambling addict always loses. It was designed that way. The 'house' eventually always wins to make profits for its owners and shareholders.
Even if you gamble for fun and not for money, it may not be as harmless as you want to think! You must be on your guard at all times or it could be just a matter of time before you fall into an addiction. A single large win could be the one powerful trigger that pushes you over. You'll start to believe that you're 'lucky' or a 'smart gambler'. This is the wrong mindset and will lead to trouble.
If you get the urge to gamble, ask a close friend or a family member to play in a low-risk game that does not involve money. The bet could be take out the garbage or do the weekly shopping or walk the dog.
Online gambling sites will try to lure you into becoming a member by offering you 'free' gambling or 'just for fun' demonstrations where you bet with 'play money' rather than real cash. DON'T be seduced into this madness! If you have strong impulses to gamble, this 'play mode' could eventually develop into a real addiction that involves real money.
If you fear that you have an addiction you must seek out professional help in combating it. Search out share groups in your community who are there to help you with your addiction. Gambling is an addiction that is curable and many former gamblers have gone on to lead normal and fulfilling lives.
As with everything in life, it comes down to choice. You are where you are in life because of the choices that you made along the way. Each choice that you made led you along a certain path that has resulted in the position you find yourself in today.
No one can force you to gamble. Gambling is your choice. You don't have to gamble to have a good time. You can choose NOT to gamble. Remember, prevention is better than cure.
