GamSol_FRS
1. ADDICTION OR CHOICE
I classify three groups of people;
1. Gamblers-by-choice (gbc)
2. Gamblers-by-addiction (gba)
3. Those displaying both symptoms
There are certain characteristics that distinguish the three classes. I must mention that there are times when the first two are not clearly distinguishable in patrons. In classifying these two groups of people, I base my argument on the element of control. For this classification, the term “gamblers-by-choice” is used to represent the group of people who seem to be able to exercise a greater level of control over when, where and how they gamble. They also seem to have control over how much they gamble. Such people find it a lot easier to walk away compared to gamblers-by-addiction. Gamblers-by-addiction are people who have lost their way and will. Their self power and self will to walk away has been eroded over time and they are now being controlled by the gambling, as opposed to the former group.
1.1 Gamblers by choice
I must state here that for those who gamble not because they are addicted but rather just as a choice, they are still at the periphery of the addiction stage. Some people who actually convince themselves that they are only gambling as a choice are not aware of the fact that they are just a stone throw away from becoming addicts. The level of choices that gamblers have differs from person to person. Those who justifiably argue that they are not addicts actually have a stronger will than the average or ordinary gambler does. This suggests to me that although how long a person remains a gambler by choice may be influenced by time, there are those who have defied the argument that the longer you gamble, the more likely it is for you to lose your will and translate from being a gambler-by-choice (gbc) to a gambler-by-addiction (gba).
1.2 Gamblers by addiction
There are people who deceive themselves that they are not gamblers-by-addiction whereas they actually are. They would never agree to the definition of being referred to as addicts. One major factor that has resulted in gamblers-by-addiction is that for a long time, they convinced themselves they were gambling by choice. They overestimated their will power before they realised they were actually gambling to fund an addiction. Some continue to live in denial of this situation. In essence or to reiterate, nobody is born as an addict and like everything, it starts somewhere; usually as a choice and then moves on to become an addiction.
1.3 Those displaying both symptoms
This group of people are usually gamblers-by-choice yet when they find themselves in gambling environments, they transform to being gamblers-by-addiction. Most of these people are usually made up of;
a. Addicts moving away from gambling (recovering addicts)
b. Gamblers-by-choice nearing an addiction
A practical situation of this has to do with, for example, an ex-addict on the road to recovery who occasionally may have a go. He has developed some will power to stay away from the betting shop. Nonetheless, it so happens that an opportunity presents itself to him and he finds himself in a betting shop. Consequently, he goes on to gamble like he used to gamble. He only returns where he once used to be.
On the other hand, someone close to being an addict but not yet one may also fall into this category. Such a person displays symptoms of an addict once in the gambling environment; not able to resist. Such people who may have been viewed as gamblers-by-choice are able to exercise the will power to stay away as much as possible. Nevertheless, the trigger occurs to be pulled once they find themselves in a gambling environment.
In suggesting practical solutions for the issue of gambling, I believe a good understanding of gambling is a good place to start. In Part 2 of this series, I mentioned the lack of understanding as contributing to the reasons why people gamble. Gambleaware.co.uk mentions for example that, “If you spend £1 every week on the Lottery, you would expect to wait about 270,000 years before you win a share of the jackpot”. The house always wins. Nobody is luckier; it is only a false sense of confidence to think otherwise.
While the writer does not claim knowledge of all the answers, he attempts to contribute in one way or the other in raising awareness and also giving some practical help to those suffering from the problem of gambling.
Gambling has an effect on time, health, and also strains relationship with family members, amongst others. These challenges include financial hardships like debt or loss of income; personal troubles like stress and anxiety or relationship breakdown, and even legal difficulties where crime becomes the only way to pay off debts. I am thus motivated to offer some suggestions as one statistic suggests that problem gamblers hardly ever seek (for) help. I hope this medium brings some respite/relief to someone in need. The National Health Service (NHS) states that: “There may be as many as 350,000 people identified as problem gamblers in the UK. But among these, it's thought that only about 5% ever seek help, and of those only around 1% receive treatment.”
2. PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS
I suggest the following solutions;
1. Economic
2. Medical
3. Counselling
4. Association
5. Image Consciousness
6. Void filling
7. Spiritual
8. Society’s role
2.1 Economic
Gambling is no investment. The allure of gambling is that it promises untold fortunes in unthinkable time periods. If your reason for gambling is to strike it big then think again. You may spend all your life savings without winning a penny back.
The question you need to ask yourself is, “Can I do something worthwhile with my money?” For those who think gambling companies use their money to do good things in society, why don’t you give your money directly to charity?
If you are gambling because of the financial benefits you are expecting then you may have misplaced your belief. Life is not a bed of roses as the gambling companies make it out to be. You cannot expect anything on a silver platter. As an old adage states, “nothing ventured, nothing gained.” It may serve you well to rise up and channel your strength, time and effort into something worthwhile and more profitable than the numerous hours spent in a gambling environment.
Gambling can be costly if care is not taken. The economic consequences of problem gambling can be dire. Some gamblers have bilked their organisations to enable them sustain their addiction. The question you should be asking yourself is what if I get caught? You are not invincible to discovery and sooner or later, you would be found out and your whole life would be ruined.
Prudence suggests that for those problem gamblers seeking a road to recovery, their mindsets require a change. Stop thinking that you need to gamble more to recover what you have lost. That sort of thinking would rather get you steeper into the act.
Simple things you can do to tackle your gambling problem;
1. If you are married, let your spouse take charge of the finances.
2. Hand over the cards and other financial details to your spouse for them to control the outflows from your bank accounts.
This may neither be easy nor a pleasant choice to make but in the long run you are the one that would benefit. It is so easy to throw money away through gambling. Being financially accountable or having another person run your finances is sure to reduce a gambling addiction.
Friends and family should also avoid giving money to or loaning money to a known gambler. They would just use it to fund their addiction.
2.2 Medical
As argued out earlier, gambling commences as a choice and grows into an addiction. The problem of gambling can be so serious it can be termed as a mental disorder. As such, it requires medical treatment similar to treating a person with a disease. This should help to ensure a restoration to a normal way of thinking.
Substance abuse like alcoholism is easily construed as a major addiction requiring medical attention. The problem with gambling is that, unfortunately it is usually not labelled in that same breadth. However, gambling is equally destructive.
Key:
You need to master the courage and go to the hospital. Being able to admit that you have a problem is a major step one must take if they are to recover/reform. Hiding in your own secluded place and hoping you can battle away this addiction is an exercise in futility. Dealing with this addiction is one of the most challenging addictions to break and medical help must be sought sooner rather than later.
2.3 Counselling
Inasmuch as going to the hospital has been encouraged, it so happens that others feel more comfortable in other environments where they can get a form of counselling. Even today, there is a possibility of being counselled over the phone without any form of face-face meeting with the counsellor. Other media like internet chat have also been harnessed to ensure that counselling can take place in a confidential and free and fair manner.
Key:
1. Find a counsellor you are willing to listen to who you believe is competent and proven. There is no point in finding somebody who does not know what he/she is talking about. Additionally, you must be willing to implement the suggestions given by your counsellor. It wouldn’t benefit you to have the most competent counsellor whose advice you don’t implement.
2. Agree a structured programme with your counsellor.
3. Passionately follow the advice you receive knowing that it is for your own good.
4. Schedule regular reviews to access your progress and act according based on the outcomes.
2.4 Association
Birds of the same feathers it has been said will always flock together. Another adage states that, “show me your friend and I would show you your character.” This practical solution cannot be overemphasised. The kind of associations that you have would send you steeper into your addiction or set you on the road to recovery.
Key:
1. As a practical step, you may consider changing the friends that you have. If your friends are such a bad influence on you then it is time to break some bonds no matter how painful they may feel. Think of the cost to you and your family. Truth is that some friends are not worth having. The problem with most people stems from the fact that they do not usually realise that their friends are not serving their best interest until it’s too late. If majority of your friends are gamblers, how do you expect to break this addiction? A change is needed if you are serious about breaking this addiction.
2.5 Image Consciousness
As noted earlier, despite the glorification of gambling, there appears to be a stigma attached to gamblers. I am yet to see one well respected person who openly gambles. Although they may do so in private yet they would openly refrain to avoid tarnishing their good public image.
Key:
1. Ask yourself this question: “Do I have any self-worth or self-esteem?”
2. If you don’t have any, is it not time to rebuild one by shunning the act of gambling?
3. How do you feel when people label you as a problem gambler? Does it not bother you?
There are those for whom reputation counts for nothing. Such people would not see the logic of what I am saying. If you have ever known the true benefit of self reputation and have lost it through gambling, is it not worth regaining by quitting this addiction?
As it has been said, “the devil finds work for idle hands.” If you have a problem with gambling you should consider doing something more constructive that would hopefully keep you away from gambling. Some people have stated that they get a ‘high’ from gambling that they don’t seem to get anywhere else.
Key:
If you are very serious about quitting your addiction, then you need to take up equally exciting activities that would fill the void that gambling currently occupies. If you don’t replicate the excitement with some other beneficial activities like sports, then chances are that you are very much likely to return to gambling.
1. Find a pastime that can maintain your attention.
2. If your gambling is usually carried out indoors, you may consider an outdoor activity which would break your current cycle.
3. It may also be worthwhile staying away from the gambling environment when outdoors. You may want to go somewhere different for a change.
2.7 Spiritual
It may be that for some people, no other solution would work save a divine intervention. This is a practical solution that cannot be dismissed simply because one does not agree. If all else has proved futile, then a higher power must be consulted. Being a man who subscribes to the Christian faith, I would always recommend this option as a potent solution to a gambling problem that none of the other options have managed to address.
As a final step, society in general has a role to play. This cannot be discounted if the gambling problem is to be addressed. We cannot just hang people out for them to dry. In as much as the individuals involved in gambling have a key role to play with the buck stopping with them, however, society cannot afford to turn a blind eye.
Key:
1. Society must stop ‘glorifying’ gambling which should aid in the reduction of recruits to the gambling fore.
2. Society needs to take a firm stand on the issue of gambling. It must treat gambling addiction in the same breath as alcohol and drug problems
3. Intensified educational programs and campaigns must take place to raise the awareness of the problem of gambling. Much attention should be given to highlight the effects of gambling on gamblers and their families and on society in general. This should help in the quest to tackle this problem. Additionally, gambling companies should be pressed hard to contribute more to aid in the rebuilding of the lives they have ruined.
Having discussed all these practical steps, I must add that gambling is a serious issue requiring serious attention. Economies that have not had their societies pervaded by the issue of gambling should be very careful in adopting measure to avoid any pervasion by such a problem. As advanced economies would testify, gambling is a very difficult addiction to tackle.
Finally, to all gamblers-by-addiction, remember that this is an issue that requires attention. Today is the best time to commence your journey to recovery. If you would like to discuss this matter further, you can contact me on the email below.
Dr. Frank Robert Silverson
Email: frsilverson@yahoo.com
