Little Known Ways to Recognize Poker Addiction
Posted on November 11, 2007
Filed Under Poker General
“Just because you are prone to addiction doesn’t mean you’re going to become addicted. It just means you’ve got to be careful.” Dr. Glen Hanson
Information for reflection. The term ‘addiction’ was previously applied exclusively to chemicals such as alcohol, drugs, or nicotine. With recent research on the brain and its processes, we now understand that many behaviors can become as chemically addictive as a substance. The term is often reserved for drug addictions but it’s sometimes applied to other compulsions, such as problem gambling, and compulsive overeating.
By the way, compulsive gambling can be categorized into two types: action gambling and escape gambling.
- In action gambling, the gambler is addicted to the thrill of risk-taking as his or her “substance of choice,” much in the same way that a cocaine addict is hooked on cocaine. The action itself becomes the drug. Action gamblers typically engage in games with other players, since part of the adrenaline rush is in the appearance or identity as a “winner.”
- Escape gambling occurs when the gambler seeks to blot out some discomforting feelings or emotional life crisis. The action of gambling is secondary to the numbing effect of the activity. Escape gamblers prefer more singular outlets such as slot machines, where they can avoid human contact. Men tend more towards action gambling, and women tend to become escape gamblers.
Just about everyone can become poker (gambling) addicted by act of law on gambling. With an explosion in legalized gambling around the country and more than 800 casinos in 28 states, the days when gamblers headed to only Las Vegas or Atlantic City are long gone.
According to the American Psychological Association, scientists find teenagers and young generation several times more likely to become pathological gamblers than adults. It’s not a secret that pathological reckless players use tobacco, alcohol, drugs more often than do other groups.
Statistics say that four to seven per cent of all people playing casino games are gambling addicts. But unfortunately only few of them understand the danger. And most of them have no idea their passion for gambling has become a disease.
How to recognize the “hidden illness” symptoms? And in general should we do that? The American Psychological Association reports ten diagnostic criteria for determining the extent of gambling addiction. These criteria are:
- Preoccupation – Preoccupied with gambling (e.g., preoccupied with reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, or thinking of ways to get money to gamble)
- Tolerance – Needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement
- Withdrawal – Is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling
- Escape – Gambles as a way of escaping from problems or relieving dysphoric mood (e.g., feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety or depression)
- Chasing – After losing money gambling, often returns another day in order to get even (”chasing one’s losses”). Chasing is a classical behavior pattern characterizing pathological gambling.
- Lying – Lies to family members, therapists or others to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling
- Illegal acts – Has committed illegal acts (e.g., forgery, fraud, theft or embezzlement) in order to finance gambling
- Risked significant relationship – Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job or educational or career opportunity because of gambling
- Bailout – Has relied on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling
- Loss of control – Has made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop gambling
Five or more of these signs = pathological gambler
Three or four = problem gambler
One or two = “at risk” gambler
If you realized that you are crazy about spieling and can’t live without poker. It’s your mania?! There are some organizations of anonymous gamblers that help folks from all round the world.
But I really believe it’s not you! Steer the golden mean!? Know how to cope with it?! For you it’s nothing more than amusement like beer, pool or snooker, football or basketball?! And you rarely play for vast sums of money!
[tags] poker, gambling, money, gamblers, casino, games, pool, snooker, play, addiction, reckless players, action gambling, escape gambling [/tags]
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