Some believe that game addiction occurs only in people who are mentally unstable and have experienced some mental disorders. But this is not the case at all. Of course, people who have been treated for mental disorders are also prone to such a disease as gambling addiction. A high level of their compliance with gambling has been established, resulting in a serious addiction. But this can apply not only to the specified group of people, but also to anyone else.
Why do people play in casinos?? There are many answers to this question, so we offer to consider in detail the reasons and factors that cause them.
Immersion in the virtual world of games and casinos: how does it happen?
It is very interesting, but gambling appeared as early as 3500 BC. During the excavations, drawings were found where people scattered playing cards of various shapes. It is quite difficult to say exactly when the casino was invented. Almost every culture has references to gambling establishments: gambling was played in ancient Greece and Rome, in the English Republic and Napoleonic France. Gambling establishments existed in China long before our era.
Today, the Internet offers such a variety of lotteries, totalizers, casinos, strategic and gambling games that the head spins. Virtual life is so engrossing in people these days that it is possible to lose the sense of reality. Yes, the latest technologies drive our progress, make life more convenient and easier, but there is always another side of the coin.
The main factors that influence the emergence of gambling addiction:
- The pursuit of easy earnings. People believe that fate will smile at them and they will win big. At the same time, you don't have to work hard, but just have fun playing casino, roulette, cards, etc. But not everyone understands how true this is, and how it all works. Most often, players lose large sums of money, and then try to win it back by borrowing funds from relatives or acquaintances. As a result, we get a closed circle and many debts.
- The desire to escape from real life. When a person has bad relationships with friends or family, there are problems at work, or there is no work at all, the psyche begins to look for a way out. Of course, these are virtual games and casinos, where there is an opportunity to find like-minded people, discuss different combinations, share experiences, etc. How to stop playing in a casino? Difficult, it's a big network with a lot of users, and it also gives players a lot of "buns". Free trials, friend sign-up deposits and more.
- Entertainment One of the first steps to addiction. There are no problems, as in real life, there is no need to bear responsibility and solve difficult situations. Pleasure is formed in the nervous system, which is obtained in a very easy and genuine way. And then a person begins to need "dopamine" (hormone of happiness) and he can't get it except for virtual life.
- Confirmation of one's authority and significance. In real life, you have to work hard on yourself, engage in self-development in order to establish your status. And in games, everything is much simpler. It is enough to win the jackpot or pass a high difficulty level and that's it, you are in the first place among players.
How addiction begins to form and its first signs
Scientists say that a sense of excitement trains the central nervous system and activates the flow of blood to the brain, and therefore the work capacity, resistance to stress, physical activity and endurance of a person increases. Gamblers are more hardworking and hardy, and more often than others, they seek promotion in their careers. But it's not about casinos or games at all. This is about real life!
The mechanism of game addiction formation is based on partially unconscious aspirations and needs: avoiding reality and accepting a role. During the game, there is relaxation, removal of emotional tension, distraction from unpleasant problems. In the event of a win, the player cannot stop in the plus and finish the game, but continues it with the goal of winning even more, and as a result goes into the minus.
Gambling organizers know how the human psyche works. But first they give an opportunity to win. The player feels uplifted, euphoric and wants to feel these emotions again, and then even more and more brightly.
According to doctors' statistics, people from 18 to 35 years of age fall under the influence of casinos. There are significantly more men than women. It all depends on the environment a person is in and what their own life priorities are. The first signs of gaming addiction include the following:
- A person begins to avoid communication with friends and family and is constantly with the phone in his hands or near the computer.
- Aggression and irritability arise without justifiable reasons, a person begins to conflict more often with those around him.
- The time between games gradually decreases, a gamer can spin roulette or play poker all day or night.
- A lot of money is spent on casinos.
How to stop gambling, regain the joy of real life and become yourself again?
Can anyone tell me what could be easier? Take and do not play. But many of these people simply do not understand what psychological dependence is. Yes, it is different from alcoholism and drug addiction, but it is also very strong. How to treat mania? The stage is not easy! It requires a clear decision to stop and an awareness of the presence of addiction. There are two options: the first is independent, and the second is the help of specialists.
Where to start when you yourself decided to stop? Calculate the amount of money you lost and analyze what other needs you could spend it on. For example, a dream trip, apartment renovation, raising funds for a new car and much more. You must clearly decide that you will not play anymore and you do not want to! Repeat this to yourself constantly and form neural connections.
The next step is to remove all applications or games from the devices. How to block yourself in a casino? It is practically impossible, the only solution is to delete your account, delete all downloaded files from the phone, delete the application and refuse the messages. You may receive SMS or e-mails, blacklist the senders. Everything is finished! And what to do next?
Carefully plan your every day by hours, what you will do. Does not have a job, start looking for it and go to interviews. Start reading interesting literature and gain new knowledge. Haven't talked to friends in a while? Make an appointment and plan a fun vacation. Try to make new friends and participate in community organizations.
Be prepared that after the games are over, you will become more irritated, distracted and stressed. The best fight against these feelings is an active lifestyle. Start playing sports, join a gym, go for morning or evening runs. In this way, tension is removed from the nervous system and sleep is improved.
Talk frankly with your family, explain that you are having a hard time right now and that you need support. Declare that you will no longer play and will do everything possible to avoid disruptions.
When a person has tried many unsuccessful ways to quit playing in the casino, he should turn to psychologists and rehabilitation centers to fight addiction. The person receives professional help, he attends groups where patients have the same problems.
The main thing is to believe that everything will work out and you will manage! Each person creates his own life and only his choice depends on what the next day will be like. Free, joyful, filled with goals and achievements, or again despair and self-flagellation. The choice is yours!
Also read “What to do if a child plays in a casino?” on Azart-Games