Dealing with Sports Gambling Addiction: Unveiling Common Myths

When it comes to getting addicted to sports gambling, some people are ignorant to this idea.

05:27 29 October 2024

When it comes to getting addicted to sports gambling, some people are ignorant to this idea. In reality, however, they might actually be already hooked on an emotional level in spite of being oblivious to them. Whether a person likes just watching best shooters in the nba and strikers in the English Premier League or betting on them, the danger of gambling addiction represents a certain kind of threat to anyone who is into sports viewership. In this article, we will figure out what are the most common myths people tend to get misled by.

What is Actually Gambling Addiction?

Gambling addiction is considered a problem when it interferes with your daily tasks, shattering your emotional state that leads to a financial debt. This behavior may originate in minor emotional spark in the form of thrill and excitement and develop to an unhealthy obsession – that is usually when severe consequences typically occur.

Such kind of addiction, like many others, derive from other psychiatric conditions (ADHD, anxiety, depression, etc.) Being aware of those triggers and addressing them in a timely manner is a key safeguard from addictive behavior.

Let us shed light on the most common misconceptions about addictive gambling behavior.

Misconception 1: Only frequent gambling leads to addiction.

Of course, if you gamble frequently, it does not mean you will 100% get addicted. However, the opposite is also true. If you think you do not engage in the activity often enough to be at risk, you still are.

Misconception 2: Gambling becomes a problem only when there is money left to afford it.

Excessive and compulsive gambling is not only a money-related problem, but also a psychological one. If one spends too much time doing it, they are more likely to be neglectful towards their family members. What is more, this behavior pattern oftentimes leads to psychiatric conditions like depression and anxiety, job loss, suicidal thoughts, and even legal problems.

Misconception 3: Gambling problems are simply caused by a lack of enough skill, responsibility, mental toughness and intelligence.

No matter how you think of yourself, you are still very much vulnerable. Even if you are an individual with a strong will and psychological endurance as well as with a previously good record of responsibility, you are also prone to getting addicted whether you want it or not. Remember that addiction can harm anyone and it usually strikes in most unexpected moments.

Misconception 4: Partners of problem gamblers also become problem gamblers themselves.

While there are definitely cases like that, it is not necessarily true. Oftentimes, problem gamblers try to logically explain their actions instead of making someone engage in the activity as well.

Misconception 5. If a person close to us is a problem gambler in financial debt, we should help them out with that.

Giving a helping hand to your people that are close to you may sound like the right solution (which it is in many cases), yet that is what might worsen the situation for an addicted gambler. It is not until they start taking responsibility for their actions that they will make the first step into overcoming addiction.

Misconception 6. If a gambler has enough experience and plays for a long time, the likelihood of getting addicted is close to zero.

Having experience is certainly a factor that influences the possibility of getting addicted but does not fully protect from this. Even inveterate gamblers with years or even decades of experience might fall into the trap. In fact, those people are even more at risk as the chances are their emotional state depends on gambling.

How One Can Tackle Gambling Addiction?

Any kind of addiction may be hard to fight and for some people it takes a lot of time and effort to set themselves free from it. Fortunately, there are several ways to address the issue.

The most popular method to overcome any addiction is called the 12 steps. Originated in the US in the 20th century, this program is now found to be the most effective in stopping addictive behavior. Although without proper scientific evidence behind it, it has already helped hundreds of thousands addicts to change their lives.

Seeking help from a licensed professional is undoubtedly an essential step towards breaking free. Depending on your personality, individual traits, traumas and past experiences, a mental health specialist can tailor the solutions to your needs and situation. Such an expert can be either a psychologist or a psychiatrist, or even both, which all depends on the circumstances.

Spiritual practices are often a substantial part of the mental recuperation. They help to find new meaning and explore yourself on a different level, lowering the ego and therefore relieving the urge to gamble more.

Final Words

Gambling can bring a lot of fun and excitement, but it should always be approached appropriately.