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Place A Wager, Are You Betting On A Gabmling Addiction?

By: Bill Urell Place a bet - you might make a big score. The allure of making a quick buck is powerful. What if that quarter you drop in the slot returns millions? You start with a quarter, it becomes a dollar than hundreds - but never anything big. You may be on the road to a gambling addiction.

You might win twenty dollars and use it to buy more tickets. As soon as the gambling urge takes hold. it is not a far cry from buying a lotto ticket to heading toward a casino for some real action.

There are so many internet gambling sites, it is simple for anyone, even children to gamble. Teenage gambling is growing. The web sites clearly state age requirements, but it is not enforced?

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. An addiction to gambling really is as powerful as drugs or alcohol. 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. Your family can attend this group with you so they know what is coming. And find an experienced counselor who can work one-on-one with you.

Article Source: http://www.lifeweightloss.com

Pick up your Addiction Recovery Help Guide, Over 100 pages of self help and recovery tips, resources and links to enhance your life in addiction recovery and enhance your life free of addictions. Join our growing community. The author, Bill Urell MA.CAAP-II, is an addictions therapist at a leading drug addiction treatment center. He teaches healthy life styles and life skills. Visit: AddictionRecoveryBasics.com

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