Yesterday, a childhood friend of mine asked me a question that got me thinking quite seriously. He said, “how do I know if my gambling behavior has become compulsive?”. To be honest, his question truly freaked me out. First, I turned to humor. I said, “No way, Mike. What is this a joke?” But, there was no humor in Mike's eyes or anywhere on his face, for that matter... It didn't take me too long to figure that Mike wasn't kidding at all...
So after the initial shock was over (I was so amazed by his sudden confession, because I know Mike from preschool and, believe me, he does not have an addictive personality), I started searching the web for answers. How can you recognize the symptoms, how do you know if you've become addicted to poker?
Well, fortunately enough this is a very common issue among poker players. I found several other gaming blogs and poker websites discussing this very same problem: compulsive gamblers. I was relieved to know that it can happen to the very best of us, poker enthusiasts, and there are organizations willing and able to assist problem gamblers seeking for help.
First and foremost, compulsive gambling habits are indeed very destructive. It can force the sanest people do the craziest things that, in a normal situation, would sure make them very ashamed. Such antics include spending one's entire paycheck on a single game. Or, when you find yourself losing game after game unable to detach from the table, then, buddy, you have a serious problem and should definitely ask for help! Playing in such a condition involves great risks, monetary and medical alike.
After combing the net very rigorously, I learned that a compulsive gambler's best chance of getting rid of this malady, is first admitting that the problem does exist. Actually admitting the addiction is a hell of a challenge. Most compulsive gamblers choose to deny everything and anything. Saying stuff like “So what if I spent all my money on poker, so what if I had to borrow from someone else (most probably a loan shark), so what if I lied to my family about the money, so what if I'm willing to do anything for an extra buck...” is very common among addicts.
The next step after admitting having a problem is to look for professional help. Such help may come in the form of a counselor or support group. Many gambling addicts maintain that talking to someone helps a lot when trying to overcome the habit. According to what they say at onlinepokereport.com, turning to gamblersanonymous.org is a great start. Membership is free and all you need is determination!
I'll be following Mike's battle very closely and hope that makes it unharmed...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment