Many Nigerians enjoy gambling, which is perfectly fine. There is nothing wrong with a casual casino night or a bet on Bet9ja here and there. But, although gambling is quite fun, some people just do not know their limits and go so far beyond them that it might already be too late for them to stop. In this article, we will tell you about the five major signs that someone you may know has a problem with gambling, and if they do, how to help them overcome an addiction.
Not Knowing When to Stop
As we said previously, there is nothing wrong with gambling when it is controlled. However, if a person finds themself constantly in need of going for another bet, another spin, or another game, they have a problem on their hands. Ardour is not at all good when we are talking about gambling. A person needs to know when to stop. It is especially bad when most, if not all, of their free time is spent placing wagers or playing slots. Do not ignore this, even if it has only just begun. The earlier the issue is addressed, the better.
Avoiding the Problem
One of the more obvious signs is hiding and avoiding when gambling is brought up. An addict wants no one to know they have an issue because they are themselves in denial. But deep within their psyche, they are filled with immense guilt; they know what they are doing is wrong, but they simply cannot grasp the magnitude of it. So, if you ever see someone close to you constantly avoiding talking about any sort of gambling, or you find out they do gamble and they refuse to talk about it, it is most certainly a sign of an underlying problem.
Perpetual Thinking
This one is quite difficult to see because it happens inside a person’s head. Constant thoughts of playing more, fixation on bets and sports can both interchange with avoidance and hiding or coexist with it in some form. Generally speaking, when a person develops an addiction, they return to the same thoughts over and over, showing signs of distress when they are not gambling. It may all be subtle, like a phrase or two from time to time, but can also be very pronounced when the only thing on a person’s mind and the singular thing they talk about is their unhealthy habit. Whenever you start to notice this tilt from normality towards single-minded pursuit, you have got to act swiftly and accordingly.
Finding Excuses
Here we have another representation of the previously described denial. It can also sometimes manifest in a form of bargaining, when a person tries his hardest to convince those close to them that they are not addicted and can quit at any time. Although this symptom signifies a relatively late stage of addiction, it is still possible to help someone who has gone that deep.
Negative Attitude
Gloominess and the general negativity of a person’s emotions are never a good sign. The miserable sight of an anxiety filled, nervous and overall distressed person will undoubtedly raise questions within their retinue and it is for a reason. One can easily discern an addict by these symptoms and in turn be able to help them.
Time Is of the Essence
Sometimes it is hard to distinguish whether a person can or cannot handle their gambling habits. It is vital to look for signs of addiction in order to learn about it as soon as possible, because the earlier the issue is taken care of, the better. If we are to bring up numbers, it is three times more probable for a person in the early stages of addiction to recover than it is in a later, more deranged state.
In Conclusion
Although all of this is morbidly dark, you should never lose hope. If after reading this short article you have started to think that a family member, a friend, or maybe you yourself might have a gambling problem, it is never too late to seek help and guidance. You are not alone; millions of people all across the globe have encountered the same issue. And the ways in which help can be delivered are quite numerous, ranging from therapy to rehabilitation facility commitment. There is always hope, no matter how deep someone is, and through that hope, salvation may come.
This text was not meant to discourage you from gambling, despite sounding so horrific. As we have said at the very beginning, gambling is fun and totally fine when it is done in moderation. Just be mindful of it. Take care of yourself and your mental health. With that in mind, we wish you never experience any problems in regards to gambling.
