Gambling Addiction

Gambling is one of the top addictions. In fact, the National Gambling Impact Commission studies including research had shown that nationwide gambling affects a minimum of 2.5 million people, over 1 percent of the population.

In targeted gambling areas like Las Vegas, over 5 percent of the people are predictable to end up having some sort of gambling problems. To help put those statistics into point of view, gambling problems occur twice as often as cocaine addiction and twice as often as cancer.

Gambling Addiction In Young People

Young people fight with the gambling addiction more than the adults. The following are the latest prevalence rates as reported by the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling:

• 16-24 year old males 4%
• 11-18 year old males 4-7%
• National average, all ages 1.2%

Gambling Addiction Symptoms

How can you tell if someone is addicted to gambling? Similar to the symptoms noted for other top addictions, the main gambling addiction symptoms are as follows:

• Serious financial problems
• Repeated attempts to stop gambling.
• Preoccupation with gambling, lying about it and denying addiction
• Has unrealistic view of what “life” and “the world” owes you

Gambling Addiction Help

Unfortunately the help is often not required until people hit “rock bottom” or pretty much lose about all they own, owe nearly anyone and about everyone they know. The denial of gambling isn’t an issue any longer once reality sets in.

The 12-Step program and Gamblers Anonymous are available for helping people with gambler addiction. You can seek recommendations from your healthcare providers or local hospitals.

A combination of psychotherapist and / or counselor who helps focus on internal emotional issues, group therapy to interact with fellow addicts in recovery, and inpatient, residential or outpatient care, for short-term and long-term recovery options are the other forms of gabling addiction help.