Just take a chance – you might win big!
Gambling addiction and the lure of easy money is powerful. What if you could spend a single dollar and win millions in the lottery? You start out buying one ticket, then another and another – but you never win anything substantial.
You might win twenty dollars and use it to buy more tickets. Once you get the gambling bug, it’s a short step from buying a lottery ticket at the convenience store to pulling a chair up to the slot machines in a casino.
With so many online gambling sites, it’s easy for anyone to gamble even those who are underage, and teenage gambling addictions are growing. The sites say you have to be over 18 or 21, but who’s checking the IDs?
Teens are three times more likely to get addicted to gambling than adults. Some rack up thousands of dollars in gambling debt before they’re even old enough to get a driver’s license!
Gambling is a hidden addiction because it’s more likely to be done in secret than on a night out to a casino with friends. As the addiction increases, gambling interferes with work, social, mental and physical aspects of your life.
Up to 4% of Americans have a gambling addiction. If you find that you crave the thrill of risking money and hoping to win big, then you’re an action gambler. But if you’re more likely to gamble when you’re upset or in some type of life crisis, then you’re an escapist gambler. Women are more likely to be escapist gamblers while men are usually action gamblers.
If you realize that you’re driven to gamble and it’s taking over your life, then you need to get help. You can’t beat this on your own. Gambling is an addiction as powerful as drugs or food. Here are some tips to help you break the addiction to gambling:
1. Tell your spouse, significant other, parent or someone close to you. Ask for their support as you confront your problem.
2. Reduce your access to money. Cut up your credit and debit cards. Carry only small amounts of cash in your wallet.
3. Change your path. Stay away from places that are triggers to gamble.
4. Stay away from people who encourage you to gamble. If necessary, change your cell phone number or email address so that they can’t contact you.
Contact the nearest Gambler’s Anonymous group. You and your family members need to attend this group to know what to expect. And find an experienced counselor who can work one-on-one with you.
Check out my friends blogs with gabling addiction postings:
Into My Second Year Gambling Free
More of my story – Gambler’s Anonymous
Dr. McNeilly looks into new ways to treat gambling addiction
Senior gambling addiction , NYC Independent Media Center, 4/25/07 …
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow! I am honestly shocked to hear that there are so many teenagers with serious gambling addiction and debts.
I guess I also didn’t realize how easy it would be for them to gamble online. If people are going to allow their children to have access to bank accounts then they need to monitor them more closely I suppose. The same could be said for their internet use in general.
I feel sorry for innocent children who are not equipped to make these grown-up decisions and their parents let them down by not protecting them.
I have to say that I love part of what you state in “step 4″. I’ve tried to tell my friends and family for years. If you are serious… the first thing you do is lose everyone’s number and get yourself a new one too.
I never realized that there were that many teens addicted to gambling. However, with all the sites out there on the Internet, I’m not surprised. Easy access to whatever a person is addicted to just makes matters worse and in this case the Internet doesn’t help. Of course Internet filters can always be installed to lock down access to such sites.
I’ve started a list of resources for compulsive gamblers in recovery (or anyone seeking information about recovery or addiction).
The list is located at http://compulsivegamblers.gotop100.com/
I think your site would be a great addition to the list.
Thanks,
Peg
pegs last blog post..I gambled.
There is obviously a lot to know about this. I think you made some good points in Features also.
I usually don’t post in Blogs but your blog forced me to, amazing work.. beautiful.
Are you struggling with gambling addiction?
If so, MTV and Gigantic! Productions want to hear from you!
Casting for a new MTV True Life “I’m Addicted to Gambling”
Does your compulsion to gamble get in the way of your regular life? Are you addicted to the high of a big win or feel deeply depressed by a loss? Are you getting into debt or facing legal problems because of your gambling? Are your relationships affected by your obsession or do you find yourself lying to hide your gambling habits? Have you decided to seek treatment or therapy for your gambling addiction?
If your gambling habit is spinning out of control, MTV wants to hear your story!
If you appear between the ages of 16 – 25 please email us at casting@gigantic.tv. Please include your name, location, phone number, your story and a current photo of yourself if possible.
Very true, gambling takes over you and you won’t even come to know. This post commands attention of the youth who get addicted to these malpractices that these become their second nature. thanks for this awakening.
I have never realize that a lot of teens is addicted to gambling I would think the easiness of accessing gambling site over the net has something to do with it
This is what happens when we allow our children to do as they please. We need to give them boundaries and rules to follow.
.-= Greg´s last blog ..Converting Your Cell Phone To A Pay As You Go Phone =-.
“Up to 4% of Americans have a gambling addiction. If you find that you crave the thrill of risking money and hoping to win big, then you’re an action gambler”… i don’t now
Gambling is such a serious issue… you can loose your life easily with that addiction
.-= gab @ breast reduction´s last blog ..Breast Reduction Operation – An Advanced Surgery =-.
I just book marked your blog on Digg and StumbleUpon.I enjoy reading your commentaries.
Gambling is like any addiction it begins with an innocence, that is fun and enjoyable. Yet without notice can escalate to a situation that cannot be controlled and all sense of normalcy in ones life breaks down.
A lot our clients gamble due to financial straits and needing cash asap or they need some type of an escape from their everyday mundane lives. It usually starts as something small then in time turns into a bigger issue.