Blog about the harms of gambling. Problems of gambling addiction

Ludomania – an eternal vice of humanity. But this social-psychological illness can be prevented in our time.

If ludomania (gambling addiction) is a disease, then it is not only psychological, but also social. And like any other disease, it is easier to prevent than to treat. Therefore, by means of children’s civic control, one can try to influence the gambling business through legislation, and use anti-advertising of gambling as a preventive measure, reducing the number of potentially addicted members of society.

In the course of getting acquainted with the history of gambling, we found out that gambling is a risk-based agreement concluded between two or more persons, both natural and legal, under the rules established by the gambling establishment, about a prize, the outcome of which depends on an event that the parties have the opportunity to influence. And they are classified as follows:

• Cards: blackjack, bridge, Durak, Preferans, etc.
• Backgammon, roulette, bingo, wheel of fortune, craps, punto banco, sic bo, etc.

We found out that the mathematical aspect of the problem is based on Pascal’s theory in the 17th century. He found that the ratio of the number of times an event occurs to the number of trials is called the frequency of the event. For homogeneous mass phenomena, event frequencies behave steadily, that is, they fluctuate little around average values, which are taken as the probabilities of these events (the statistical definition of probability).

We met at a round table with a leading researcher at the Research Institute of Psychiatry, Viktor Vladimirovich Khomyakov. The topic of addiction was discussed, translated from English addiction – tendency, harmful habit. And its types:

• chemical dependence (smoking, toxicomania, drug dependence, medication dependence, alcohol dependence);
• eating disorders (overeating, fasting, refusal to eat);
• gambling, ludomania – gaming addiction (computer addiction, gambling);
• sexual addictions;
• religious destructive behavior (religious fanaticism, involvement in a sect).

In Russian classical and foreign literature, plots based on stories about gambling are often found. There are also paintings depicting gambling scenes.

Summarizing the material, we identified the typical traits of a potential “Homo ludes”: Biological traits: rapid heartbeat, heavy sweating, increased or decreased blood pressure, pallor or redness of the skin, a “wandering” gaze, trembling hands, dilated pupils, reduced reactions to external stimuli, an altered “nervous” gait,

Psychological traits: sudden mood swings, obsessive ideas and phobias, increased suggestibility, a sense of one’s own chosenness, inappropriate behavior, increased irritability, division into “us and them”, replacement of the concepts of “daily life, work, family” with the concept of “game”, withdrawal into the virtual world

Based on official sources of gambling statistics, we learned that:

In China and Sweden, gambling is prohibited by law.

In Estonia, 25,000 people suffer from gambling addiction.

In Italy, 150,000 are considered pathological gamblers.

About 100,000 people in Germany suffer from a pathological craving for gambling.

In Denmark, 40,000 Danes have been diagnosed with ludomania.

In the United Kingdom, a network of bookmaking and football pools is well developed. Casinos are under strict state control and only in specially designated places.

According to various estimates, 30-40 thousand people suffering from gambling addiction live in Switzerland, a country of 7 million people.

The largest number of slot machines is in Spain. There are 234,000 slot machines there.

In Spain, “gambling addiction” is perceived as a disease, similar to drug addiction.

France ranks second in the number of casinos. 8.7 million (1.5% of all residents) can in one way or another rightfully call themselves ludomaniacs. Slot machines were banned for a long time, casino revenue amounts to 952.3 million euros, 85% of it comes from “one-armed bandits”.

About 20 million Americans constantly gamble. More than five million (more than 1.88% of all US residents) can be classified as pathological or problem gamblers. Another 15 million are in the risk group.

In most Muslim countries, gambling is prohibited not only by law, but also by religion.

The most gambling-prone players in the world are probably the Chinese and other peoples of Southeast Asia. In the twenties of the last century, in some provinces of China, Burma and Thailand, up to one third of the income of an average farm family went to paying off gambling debts.

There is no official statistics on ludomania in Russia. If we judge by newspaper publications, only in Moscow there are at least 30,000 slot machines, which are regularly visited by about 500,000 citizens. In Russia there are more than 350 casinos, two dozen totalizator cash desks, a little more than 200 betting shop cash desks, about 44,000 slot machines, and several nationwide lotteries.

In our native city of Moscow, there are approximately 60 casinos. One casino and about 15 gambling establishments are located in South and North Butovo.

During photo and geodetic surveying of gambling facilities around our school, it turned out that, with the norm of 500 meters from educational institutions, all 4 facilities were territorially placed incorrectly. In the bar at Starokachalovskaya 7 there are 51 slot machines and one roulette. The bar is located 62.2 meters from the school.8. Campaigns and preventive measures were carried out.

Today, the issue of gambling addiction is very acute in our country, because more and more young people are being captured by this addiction. Gambling addiction is a painful condition in which a person cannot get rid of the strong desire to play on their own.

Research departments studying the problems of gambling addiction and its consequences for society have concluded that, in general, those people become addicted to gambling who want to improve their financial situation very quickly and easily. But not everyone shares this point of view, because among gamblers there are many fairly well-off people. Therefore, many specialists do not share the view that the main cause is the desire to improve one’s financial situation.

There are people who are completely indifferent to gambling, and some are very emotional. It is precisely the second category of people with an unbalanced nervous system who become victims of gambling addiction. Such people experience a feeling of excitement that is equal in intensity to the strongest euphoria. Therefore, today the problem of gambling addiction is placed on the same level as worldwide problems such as drug addiction, toxicomania and alcoholism.

Modern research in the field of gambling addiction has yielded some results that allow us to judge the causes of such a strong craving for gambling. Qualified specialists in this field report that while gambling, so-called pleasure hormones synthesized by the brain (endorphins) enter a person’s blood. It is endorphins that make the player constantly feel pleasure from the game process, and the result of the game is not so important for such addicted people. Therefore, even after the biggest win, gamblers cannot stop.

Specialists in the field of human psychology identify several levels of development of this addiction. At the first level, a person plays only out of curiosity, hoping to win. Then, after losing a certain amount of money, the gambler continues to play, hoping to win back the lost amount. At the next levels of gambling addiction, the feeling of waiting for a big win increasingly takes over the person, and it becomes harder and harder to give up the desire to play. Scientists find it difficult to answer the question of when a person becomes completely addicted to the game. Probably when the gambler, regardless of the statements and wishes of friends, close ones and relatives, still goes to the casino or gaming club. Later, with constant losses, the gambler becomes more irritable and aggressive, scandals begin in the family, problems appear at work. And in the end, loss of family and work..

The most interesting thing in the current situation is that such addicted people perfectly understand that only they are to blame for this problem and even constantly ask and beg for forgiveness and promise that they will no longer play, but this is only until they see a casino or gaming club.

In the end, the loss of loved ones and a promising job drives a person into the deepest depression and even to thoughts of suicide or committing a crime.

What is especially alarming is that more and more children and teenagers are falling ill with this disease.

How can you get rid of such a personality-destroying addiction?

To get rid of this disease, you need a very strong emotional stimulus that will become a stronger dominant than the game. As an example, parachuting, diving from a tower, skiing, surfing or mountaineering can be suggested. If none of the hobbies interests him, a consultation with a psychologist is necessary.

Love of casinos or slot machines is a serious psychological problem, psychologists say. What this addiction is worth and how to get rid of it.

Entrepreneur Valery has been living on borrowed money for two years. He owes not only friends, parents and neighbors. Recently the young man also owes the bank. And the point is not at all that Valery’s business is failing, quite the opposite, it is thriving. Valery just often goes to the casino… and loses a lot. Over two years of gambling, the young man has lost about $170,000.

“Back in college, we once looked into one of the places in Kiev and decided to try our luck at slot machines,” says his close friend Alexander. “From time to time we would go in, play, and be happy if we managed to win. But it wasn’t serious. At least that’s how it seemed to me then.” Maybe for Alexander the hobby remained just a hobby. But Valery, after he started earning his first substantial money (the young man sells refrigeration equipment), got hooked on the casino. “His biggest loss in one go was $30,000. He played, lost, and then came back to the casino again. He convinced himself that he was about to win, pay off his debts and get rich. But so far that has not happened,” Alexander admits.
And there are many like Valery. “Money” found out why excitement turns out to be stronger than the player and what to do about it.

All life is a game

Many psychologists call a passion for casinos or slot machines not an innocent hobby at all, but a psychological illness. Even if a person allows themselves to play just once a month, but regularly, this can be considered the beginning of the disease. Most likely, such a player convinces themselves that they do not play often. But if the need arises regularly, it is an addiction.

Addiction to gambling is determined not by frequency at all, but by how consciously a person acts. If a person acts consciously, does what they want and consider necessary, they are free. That is, they can go to a casino every day and still not be addicted. If they act impulsively, resist internally, but still do the same thing, then there is an addiction. For example, if they take a quick loan for something they need and impulsively lose all that money, not knowing how they will pay it back.

A passion for casinos can be compared to alcoholism and drug addiction. Some turn to alcohol, others jump with a parachute, and still others play in casinos. The need for bright emotions and strong feelings exists in most people. Some satisfy it precisely in casinos.

“You could, of course, say that gambling addiction is easier than addiction to alcohol, drugs or tobacco. After all, it does not cause physical dependence. But getting rid of a physical “craving” is hundreds of times easier than getting rid of a psychological one. For example, with alcoholism, you can force a person to give up alcohol on a physical level. That trick does not work with gamblers.

Lose a million then

The casino gives a chance to win, you can get rich “on the casino,” Alexander believes, the entrepreneur Valery’s friend (the same one who has already lost $170,000 in the casino – Author’s note). It is this, in Alexander’s opinion, that does not allow his friend to part with the roulette wheel.

Psychologists and psychotherapists speak of other reasons. The player believes in his own uniqueness. He thinks that it is he who can win, and a win for him is equivalent to recognition of his importance. Despite the fact that at first glance the goal is to win, in reality the player gets the main pleasure from the closeness of a possible win. Everyone knows that we get more pleasure from anticipation than from the process itself. The pull of the casino can be caused not only by the desire to win, but also by the desire to get rid of money. If a person deep down believes that this money does not belong to them, that they received it unfairly, they will strive to lose it. Let experts disagree about the causes of addiction, but on one thing they are in agreement, the illness must be treated. But how? There are different ways…

Full or foul?

“Some specialists prefer radical methods. They directly offer a psychologically dependent person a new relaxant, mainly played by extreme sports,” they write in their book “Psychological Dependence: How Not to Go Broke Buying Happiness.” In this way, the addict is made to feel in their own skin that life is good. “High-adrenaline” adventures should cause a person sensations similar to the excitement and satisfaction received during the game. In addition, the gambler is placed in conditions where they have no chance at all of returning to the game, in the forest, in the mountains, in the steppe, in short, in the lap of wild nature.” After jumping with a parachute, wandering through forests, sleeping on bare ground, the addict begins to realize… fear. Only they are afraid not of social problems, from which, in fact, their escape from reality once began. They are afraid of death, injury, illness. Survival is not the worst way to clear your head.

You need to be treated for gambling addiction with the help of an online psychologist. Of course, there are other methods too, for example coding. True, it must be understood that this can cause great harm – loss of self-respect and faith in oneself. After all, a person understands that they did not cope with their addiction on their own, so this way the problem cannot be solved. In Alcoholics Anonymous, the first step is the statement “I am an alcoholic.” As with any other addiction, it is necessary to acknowledge that it exists in order to fight for freedom.

I advise the gambler’s relatives to talk to him without accusations or reproaches. If the person recognizes the harmfulness of the habit, the next step is to try to replace the object of passion. If the gambler had hobbies before the gambling addiction appeared, try to get him interested in them. It is important that the hobby does not fall short of the harmful habit in adrenaline charge. An excellent solution is extreme sports. If that does not help, you can turn to an online psychologist for help.

IN SHORT

An excellent way to get rid of gambling addiction is to take up an extreme sport. What matters here is the amount of adrenaline charge!

Gambling addiction, ludomania (from the Latin ludus – game), gaming addiction or pathological gambling are the terms used to describe a mental disorder based on a pathological craving for gambling (playing in casinos, gaming and computer clubs, totalizators, etc.). According to the international classification of diseases, the main sign is repeatedly repeated participation in gambling, which continues, often deepens, despite social consequences such as impoverishment, destruction of intrafamily relationships, as well as personal life.

It is believed that gamblers are people inclined only to easy money, but this is not always so. As a rule, they are energetic, emotional, talented in many ways, have known success or strive for it. Many of them loved sports, made a good career, and they are characterized by risk-taking in business. They start playing not only for earnings, but for entertainment, relaxation, an easy way to escape from problems. Many of them want to “switch off” from everyday worries, experience unusual emotions, free themselves from loneliness, boredom and monotony of existence. An easy way to get a monetary reward during mindless play is also attractive. However, many do not think that in a dramatic, passionate game the stake is not so much money as mental health, and sometimes life.

Getting drawn into the game happens quickly, sometimes in just a few weeks. Once these people start winning, it seems to them that luck will accompany them constantly. They begin to spend more and more energy on the game process and would like to receive a reward for it in the form of a significant cash prize, but the loss is guaranteed, and the win is only probable. Loss gives rise to feelings of guilt and annoyance, anger and an attempt at any cost to achieve the desired result, and therefore fuels excitement. Problem gamblers are also united by the fact that they are used to winning in life, but do not know and do not want to lose.

Of course, not everyone becomes pathological gamblers, some play with a relatively cool head. These people are self-sufficient and have a high level of self-control. They spend rather little time playing, do not make big bets, and play for a certain amount that they allow themselves to leave in gambling establishments. They play exclusively for relaxation, occasionally, without pursuing selfish or vain goals, and are able to react calmly to a win and not dramatize a loss.

When players get heated, play by making ever higher bets, and thereby increase the risk in the game, they themselves unknowingly begin to sink into the so-called game trance (accompanied by an altered state of consciousness), when they forget everything that worried them in the real world. Winning, they usually do not leave with the winnings, and place bets again, continuing to play to the limit until the money runs out. Such a trance state is accompanied by the release of a huge amount of neurohormones, which ensures sharp emotional sensations. Players plunge into a kind of virtual state, completely losing track of time and money. They can come to their senses only when the money runs out or they collapse from exhaustion after a multi-day gaming binge.

After another loss, remorse is quickly forgotten, and soon the players again begin to feel a strong attraction to the game. Many want to win back and get back the lost money, resentment and a sense of injustice overwhelm them, it seems to them that next time they will definitely be lucky and they will beat the “one-armed bandit.” This motive brings them back to gambling establishments, where they are again seized by the game process and immersion into a state of game trance. The deeper and more severe the suffering from a loss, the greater the pleasure from a win. Game trance is a mental state that is comparable to the pharmacological effect of powerful psychoactive substances, including drugs. The craving for such pastimes is so strong that a person gradually loses interest in real life. The dose of these super-emotions is higher the higher the stake in the game. That is, the higher the hope of winning a lot and the risk of losing a lot, the deeper the game trance. It is this pathological state that leads the gambler to catastrophic ruin, not banal greed. The price of such a “game high” is enormous.

For some time, pathological gamblers may not play because they do not have enough money for the game, or they end up in an area where there are no gambling establishments. But as soon as they find the necessary sum and are near a gaming hall, something clicks in their brain and the game trance turns on, forcing them to think only about the game and nothing else. Under the influence of the strongest and irresistible urge, gamblers become ingeniously cunning, inventing all sorts of ways to get money to start the next game. For a long time they keep their addiction secret, so it is extremely difficult to recognize that they have such a problem. However, relatives may notice in their behavior that they suddenly started saving on everything, carefully controlling all purchases in the family, hiding their income and expenses, inventing various versions of missing money and things, borrowing money from friends and acquaintances under various pretexts. Resourcefulness and deception become routine for gamblers.

For a long time, players convince themselves that nothing terrible is happening, that they will stop playing at any moment. Many of them say: “I will win back what I lost and never return to the game again.” However, gradually the desire to take part in the game becomes so irresistible that it only leads to a worsening of the addiction, deepening depression, loss of mental health, ruin of these people and the breakup of their family. The desire to get money for the game at any cost often forces pathological players to commit crimes, and, unable to withstand their catastrophic fall, these people end their lives by suicide.

However, gambling addiction, also known as ludomania, is curable. The effectiveness of getting rid of this dangerous mental disorder largely depends on the patient’s own desire to fight this illness. And the earlier professional help is provided at this stage of the pathological addiction, the deeper and more reliable the treatment result will be.

Outpatient treatment of gambling addiction abroad

Gaming addiction resembles a “virus” program that infiltrates our consciousness, paralyzes our will, subordinates our feelings, thoughts and desires, and controls our behavior.

Treatment can be compared to installing an antivirus program that begins to return clarity of mind, control over thoughts, feelings, desires and behavior. What question does a player most often ask themselves when they realize the full harmfulness of their passion for gambling: “How do I break out of this closed gaming circle?” The vast majority of pathological gamblers hope only for themselves and do not seek to discuss their problem with anyone. The painful search for a way out of this difficult situation alone, unfortunately, does not lead to the desired result and only drags them into a deeper psychological, financial and social crisis. That is exactly why a specialist is needed, so that together with them you can find the key to solving this problem.

The main method of treating gambling addiction is individual comprehensive psychotherapy, which can successfully be carried out not in inpatient, but in outpatient conditions. An important and effective method is rational psychotherapy, addressed to the mind and based on explanation and proof. It is this method that allows you to clear the patient’s consciousness of false ideas, get answers to many questions, change the attitude toward gambling, get rid of the oppressive feeling of guilt, rehabilitate yourself, first of all, in your own eyes, and also find a reasonable way out of a difficult life situation.

Special psychotherapeutic techniques and individually selected medications make it possible to correct the psychological state of the problem gambler, restore his nervous system and increase self-control over the pathological urge. The visit to the clinic begins with an initial therapeutic and diagnostic appointment, which lasts two hours. We analyze in detail the causes that led to the formation of gambling addiction, explain the complex mechanism of this painful condition, set the patient up to fight this illness and give real recommendations for getting out of the crisis.

Already after the initial treatment session, the patient’s attitude toward gambling fundamentally changes and the psychological state improves. During individual treatment sessions, the achieved positive effect develops and is consolidated. For the treatment of gambling addiction, we use our own methods of psychotherapeutic correction and, if necessary, individually selected medications. We teach the patient self-regulation and self-control skills, family psychological counseling is conducted online.

Comprehensive treatment of gaming addiction allows you to block the gaming dominant, free the patient from the so-called “gaming hypnosis”, form indifference to gambling in them, restore their psychological state and use their potential in the direction of self-realization, not self-destruction.

1. Have you skipped work or school to gamble?
2. Has gambling ever brought you unhappiness?
3. Has gambling ever affected your reputation badly?
4. Have you ever felt remorse after playing?
5. Have you played in order to pay off debts?
6. Has gambling reduced your ambitions?
7. After a loss, did you feel that you had to come back as soon as possible and win it back?
8. After a win, did you have a firm conviction that you needed to come back and win even more?
9. Do you often play until you lose everything?
10. Have you ever borrowed money to gamble?
11. Have you ever had to sell something in order to play?
12. Do you have the concept of “money for gambling” that you use only for gambling?
13. Has gambling caused noticeable financial harm to you or your family?
14. Have you ever played longer than you planned?
15. Have you ever played to forget about troubles?
16. Have you ever broken the law in order to have money for gambling?
17. Have you suffered from insomnia because of thoughts about gambling?
18. Do problems, disappointments or setbacks make you want to escape from it all by gambling?
19. Do you have a habit of celebrating your gambling wins?
20. Have you ever thought about suicide after losing?

Write down and then evaluate your answers.