Addiction to Gambling Problem - Research Paper Example

Why Gamblers Do Get Addicted in to Gambling? Introduction Gambling is a recreational activity or at least that is what many think who like to go to acasino or play a bet. Gambling has grown into a big industry and somehow it will continue to grow due to people who get addicted to gambling. Addiction to gambling is gradually coming to the fore. It can turn out to be a serious problem unless cured in the right time. In the following sections we will discuss how gambling becomes an addiction and come to a conclusion about how big a problem it actually is. Literature Review More than 80% adults gamble once a year by placing bets on horses, lottery numbers, bingo, online slot machines and out of that, 1% becomes addicted to gambling (Seven Warning Signs of a Gambling Addiction 2008). What is the reason for that 1% to get addicted and what are the chances of that 80% to get addicted? Problem gambling is an impulse-control disorder and usually a problem gambler gambles without even realizing his state (Cutter & Smith 2008). Even for that 80% resistance to gambling is a difficult job. Usually people end up playing until they have lost all their money. The difference between that 80% and 1% is that the next day it is usual business for 80% but the 1% decide on to gamble one last time to win their money back. Most of the times that last time never come. Thus, though we know that there are less people under threat of problem gambling we need to know why they become problem gamblers in first place. Sources suggested that there were phases to becoming a problem gambler (Cutter & Smith 2008). We need to know the government’s role in counteracting (or rather not counteracting) the problem. Sources indicated that problem gambling of an individual affected his loved ones as well due to his changed attitude and financial concerns (The Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery 2005). There were sources that indicated online gambling has worsened the problem as the option means you can gamble from the comforts of your home. There were indications of problem gambling leading to criminal life as the urge to steal strengthens (The Risks of Gambling Abuse and Addiction 2008) (Pathological Gambling: A Critical Review 1999). Moreover, people could go through feelings of anger, anxiety, and depression while trying to give up the addiction (Beating an Addiction to Gambling 2008). While studying the issue it becomes clear that the problem needs to be properly addressed. Methods The research was exploratory in nature. The research was carried out undercover; gamblers were studied by being a part of them. Gamblers Anonymous served as the working ground where everybody discussed about their own experiences in order to receive therapy, which leads to curing addiction. A first hand experience at a casino was gained to know how a gambler feels. No pre-scripted questions were used instead the procedure developed an understanding of what goes in a gamblers’ mind. The advantage of the method was that it allowed a closer look at a gambler’s life, which through pre-scripted questions would have been limited. Themes that emerged in the first sitting were used as a base to explore the problem further, thus the method allowed the researcher to explore the problem to a greater depth. Since the research was carried out undercover participants were more open, and explained there position without hesitation. Thus, the method allowed the researcher to find the truth about the problem. The limitation to the method was that being qualitative, it concerned a certain focus group-in this case the Gamblers Anonymous, and hence cannot be used as a generalisation (Wynne & Cready 2005). The other disadvantage was it being a time consuming method. Ethical considerations of the participants were not violated by keeping their identity secure; instead, the research was carried out in a basis that gave an idea of the problem from both a gambler as well as researcher’s perspective. Findings Greed forces into gambling With rising expenses and high unemployment, people want to earn money through easy methods. About 90% of first time gamblers win, this pushes the person’s greed but when the person starts losing, a new force drives him- that of earning back the money. It was a surprise when I, during my research, realized that I won 500£ with an investment of 30£ however 2 hours later I found myself with nothing. Gambling shuts your system Most of the people who get addicted to gambling are unable to control themselves. While they gamble, they are not able to think about anything except gambling. Your system is closed and you are not able to think about the consequences of your action. Former addicts say that they had no control over their impulses and there was no way out other then to get the next big score. The high risk that gambling offers in fact provides a thrill and excitement and the addiction starts with the addiction to that thrill (Burton 2008). Online gambling has worsened the situation Online casinos are creating user-friendly environment using eye friendly colours, music, and extra bonuses for each spin. Casinos employ psychologists for consultations in order to make sure that the designed game will be addictive. Government takes no action The UK Government does not want to put any restrictions on online gambling due to high profits from Casinos taxes. All Casinos have to pay 40% state tax from their profits. The callous attitude of government is clear from the fact that cost of prosecuting those who faced Bankruptcy due to Gambling is a lot lower then Prosecuting Drunken Disorderly. In 2004, UK Government spent £20 Billions to prosecute drunken disorderly (Croall, H 1998). Gambling as a means to escape People gamble to escape the realities of life, even though they realize that it does not solve long-term problems. Gambling had the ability to block out their problems when engaged in the activity (Wood & Griffiths 2007). Conclusions The research draws attention to the fact that people who are emotionally not stable- either going through a rough patch in life or went through a lot in the past- are the most vulnerable to the addiction. The addiction to gambling can be pictured alongside drug addiction; both are a means to escape the harsh realities of life. Though, gambling might seem to be just a hobby to many people but when talking to people who went through the terrors of addiction, the problem becomes apparent. It is not just the people who get addicted suffer because of their downfall resulting from the addiction but when they lie, steal, and cheat to their loved ones they are affected as well. People need to feed their gambling addiction and that usually comes through illegal ways. Thus, they pose a threat to society as well because they are willing to do anything to get money to gamble. Though, there is still lesser knowledge regarding problem gambling as compared to the popularity of gambling but there are many places that provide help to problem gamblers. Besides self-help articles on the internet, there are options of seeing a counsellor or joining a group like Gamblers Anonymous where people share their experiences and work towards a common goal of getting control over their addiction. Methods like controlled gambling are hugely successful as gamblers learn to tame their mind. This context reminds us that though there are people who would control their impulses at a casino but there is lesser knowledge about online gambling being a prime threat. Further, it needs to be realized that as long as government seeks revenues as a priority the matter cannot be dealt with harshly. It is required to restrict gambling within the boundaries of a recreational activity. REFERENCES ‘Beating an Addiction to Gambling’ 2008, BeatingAddictions, viewed 15 October 2008, . Burton, GB 2008, ‘Gambling Addiction’, Casinogambling.about, viewed 16 October 2008, . Cutter, D & Smith M 2008, ‘Gambling Addiction and Problem Gambling’, Helpguide, viewed 17 October 2008, . Croall, H 1998, Crime and Society in Britain, Essex: Longman. Pathological Gambling: A Critical Review 1999, National Research Council (NRC), Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.  ‘Seven Warning Signs of a Gambling Addiction’ 2008, viewed 19 October 2008, . The Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery 2005, viewed 17 October 2008, . ‘The Risks of Gambling Abuse and Addiction’ 2008, Online-casinos, viewed 16 October 2008, . Wood, RTA & Griffiths, MD 2007, ‘A qualitative investigation of problem gambling as an escape-based coping strategy’, The British Psychological Society, viewed 19 October 2008, . Wynne, HJ & Cready, JMc 2005, ‘Examining Gambling and Problem Gambling in Ontario Aboriginal Communities’, Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre, viewed 20 October 2008, . Read More