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Cause And Effect Of Gambling

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While gambling has been around forever since about 500 B.C (Adams 2017). It has not been until recently around the last 10 to 15 years that this problem has been recognized as an actual addiction with a full range of treatment (Adams 2017). Gambling addiction, also known as compulsive gambling, is a type of impulse-control disorder. Compulsive gamblers can’t control the impulse to gamble nor their thoughts about gambling, even when they know their gambling is hurting themselves or their loved ones (Gambling Addiction 2017). Tough compulsive gamblers know the odds are against them and they can’t afford to lose, they simply can’t “stay off the bet.” (Seagal PhD. 2017) It can happen to anyone from any walk of life gambling goes from a fun, innocent distraction to an unhealthy preoccupation with serious consequences. Whether the betting is on sports, scratch cards, roulette, poker, or slots, in a casino, at the track, or online if the gambling becomes a problem, it can strain relationships, interfere with work, and lead to financial disaster (Jabr 2017). People may even do things you never thought you would, like stealing money to gamble or pay debts. It may feel like they can’t stop, but with the right help, they can overcome a gambling problem or addiction and regain control of their life.
Gambling addiction is sometimes referred to as the "hidden illness" because there are no obvious physical signs or symptoms like there are in drug or alcohol addiction (Seagal PhD 2017).

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