Gambling
Many people like to gamble and have no problem with it. However, if you find it difficult to control how much money and time you spend on gambling, you are likely to develop a gambling problem. It’s important to take every sign of gambling addiction seriously as it can have a large and very negative impact on your studies, relationships, finances, and mental health. You can take control of your gambling and there is good help available.
As with other risk-using behaviours and addictions, gambling is for some a matter of alleviating anxiety, stress and depression. Being addicted to gambling can evoke feelings of shame and the gambler can struggle to hide it from the people around them. For many gambling addicts, this leads to loneliness. Anyone who gambles too much can also incur debts that take a very long time to pay back. For these reasons, the risk of depression and anxiety also increases when gambling excessively.
Gambling addiction works in the same way as other addictions
In gambling addiction, the same mechanisms in the brain are activated as in addiction to alcohol and drugs. The difference is that it’s not a physical addiction because the body is not supplied with any substances (however, alcohol can increase gambling). Online casinos, online poker, e-sports betting and slot machines are all examples of games that, with regular use, can lead to addiction.
Do you have constant thoughts about gambling and how to get money to gamble? Are you trying to win back the money you lost? Do you feel restless and irritable when you try to gamble less or stop gambling? Then you probably have a gambling addiction.
What can you do yourself?
- Exclude yourself from gambling
Via spelpaus.se it’s possible to exclude yourself from gambling on games licensed in Sweden and that require registration. - Install software that blocks gambling sites
There are various programmes that block gambling sites. More information is available at spelpaus.se. - Limit your access to money
Let a relative manage your finances, limit your opportunity of making internet purchases, deposit some of your money into hard-to-access accounts. - Dare to tell someone
Support from relatives and other loved ones means a lot to many people on the road to changing their gambling habits.
When to seek help if you have a gambling addiction
For many, it can feel difficult, or even impossible, to stop or reduce their gambling. There is good help available, so don’t hesitate to seek it. If you feel that you have or are developing a gambling problem, you can contact the student health service for guidance or information on where to get help. If you are under the age of 23, or under 25 in some regions, you can also seek help at the youth guidance centre. .
Are you worried about a friend?
If you are worried about someone’s gambling, it can feel difficult and uncomfortable to talk about it. However, if you feel you want to try to help the person make a change, you can still talk to them about their gambling.
Tell them that you are worried and tell them specifically what it is about their behaviour that concerns you and how it might affect your relationship. At the same time, it’s not your responsibility to get the person to stop or seek help, only they can do that.