Online Casino Addiction and Problem Gambling

Anything can actually be addictive. Everyone's heard of an "addictive" TV show or a chocolate addiction, an addiction to home shopping. Online casino addiction and problem gambling are real problems but that means there are real solutions out there. It helps to know how to find resources and help.

What is Online Casino Addiction?

By definition, a person is addicted when they focus on a singular thing, person or activity to the exclusion of personal well-being, responsibilities and loved ones. When maintaining the addiction becomes a risk to personal health, finances or relationships, it's a problem.

Addiction Symptoms

A person experiencing addiction will find themselves unable to refrain from the thing or activity they are addicted to. They will experience cravings to get back to their addiction and suffer from withdrawal when that thing is not available. They may take bigger and bigger risks, lie to others about how much time they spend gambling, ignore friends and loved ones in order to focus more fully on the addictions.

Problem Gambling

People who express the symptoms of gambling addiction will have problem gambling behaviors. They may pawn personal items, steal, built up a lot of debts and spend money from retirement or insurance accounts. They will also spend far too much time gambling, neglecting other people and responsibilities.

Those who engage in problem gambling often feel guilty about their gambling...but find themselves unable to stop.

Getting Help

It is okay to suffer from casino addiction and problem gambling behaviors. Anyone can find themselves slipping a little, spending too much time doing things they know they shouldn't. It is human nature to seek out good feelings and gambling offers a lot of good feelings. Don't feel guilty or ashamed.

Every kind of support you might want is out there, from gambling groups in person to chat groups online. There are therapists who specialize in gambling addiction, as well as clinics and outpatient programs that specifically target problem gambling behaviors. Make use of the information out there to find your own path to kick gambling addiction.

Dealing With Online Casino Addiction and Problem Gambling

Many people struggle with online casino addiction and problem gambling, so you are not alone. If you know how to stop gambling and you can set hard limits and hard boundaries for yourself, you are not exciting problem gambling behavior. But now that you know what to look for, you can stay within certain boundaries.