Problem gambling has emerged as one of the leading public health concerns in India, as revealed by several studies performed in different regions. Despite the prevalence of this challenge, public health experts and policymakers in the country have not given the matter the attention it deserves. Consequently, there have been increased cases of suicide, debt, mental illnesses, poverty, violence, and homelessness.
Even though it’s extremely hard to treat problem gambling, it can be prevented or mitigated, and there are institutions in India and beyond that can help. But you must first accept you are facing the issue to be assisted.
What is the Problem Gambling and Betting?
Problem gambling, also referred to as gambling addiction or gambling disorder, is a wagering behaviour that negatively affects a person’s mental health, daily life, family, as well as career. It’s important to note that every punter is at risk of developing this problem.
This issue normally develops gradually, and it may be hard to realize that you have a betting disorder. Even if you gamble periodically, you are still susceptible to betting addition, and thus, this problem doesn’t only affect those who wager regularly.
The consequences of gambling addiction are financial, psychological, social, and emotional because it leads to bankruptcy, disintegration of families and relationships, personality disorders, anxiety or depression, substance abuse, social withdrawal, reduced productivity at the workplace, and restlessness.
Signs of Gambling/Betting Addiction
If you notice some of the things described below in your demeanour, you should know that you have a betting disorder.
- Always thinking about gambling: Thinking about betting all the time is a clear sign that you have developed a gambling addiction.
- Gambling more frequently: When you find yourself making bets repeatedly and for longer periods, you already have a betting disorder.
- Trying to chase your losses: This happens when you place more bets or increase your stake to try to recover what you have already lost.
- Borrowing money to bet: Gambling problem can make you take loans or borrow from friends and family members just to bet.
- Lying about your expenditure: You will start lying to your family about where your money goes when you have a gambling addiction.
- Inability to control or stop betting altogether: However hard you try to control your rate of gambling or to stop betting altogether, your efforts are futile.
Once you notice the above elements in your behaviour, it’s time to seek professional help to combat the problem.
Where to Seek Help
It’s crucial to look for professional assistance when you or your loved ones suffer from gambling addiction as soon as possible to avoid its adverse impacts. In this regard, you can visit a private addiction treatment centre near you. You will be assisted by compassionate professional therapists and psychiatrists who will keenly listen to you to know the extent of your betting problem and, in turn, offer you personalized therapy or treatment. However, these rehabilitation institutions charge very high fees to the tune of hundreds of thousands of Indian Rupees.
Fortunately, there are local and international organizations that help cure gambling addiction at absolutely no cost. You can physically go to the India-based facilities or contact those based overseas if you don’t have deep pockets. But you also need to know where you can find or how you can reach out to these gambling problem alleviation institutions to seek the assistance you direly need.
India-based organizations
There are numerous facilities that treat gambling disorder in India you can get in touch with and you will be assisted, including:
- Tele MANAS: This organization supports every Indian resident with a betting addiction. You can contact them at any time of the day or night via phone because they are open 24/7 throughout the year.
- Sneha Suicide Prevention Helpline: This institution helps all Indians battling gambling problem regardless of where they are in the country. You can reach out to them via live chat or phone from 7:30 AM and 7:30 PM each day of the week.
- Jeevan Aastha Helpline: This helpline is available countrywide and it remains open 24/7, 365 days a year. You can call their counsellors at your convenient time and they will help treat your betting disorder.
- Samaritans Mumbai: Their helpline is usually open between 1:30 PM and 7:30 PM from Monday to Sunday. You can contact them from wherever you are in India if you are suffering from a betting disorder.
- Connecting Trust, Every Life Counts: This institution strives to keep the information you share with them over the phone confidential and its helpline opens at 7:30 Am and closes at 5: 30 PM daily.
With all these organizations, among others, at your disposal, you shouldn’t struggle with betting addiction but rather seek professional help.
Global problem gambling support
The international organizations you can seek help from when faced with betting addiction comprise:
- Gamblers Anonymous: This is an association of males and females with gambling addiction who usually share their experiences among themselves with the aim of alleviating the issue. You just need the desire to stop betting to become a member of this fellowship.
- Union of Pan Asian Communities: This is a non-profit-making organization that offers mental health services to individuals of all ages from different regions of the world.
- Gamtalk: This is a supportive community where punters with gambling problem get a chance to share their ideas and experiences anonymously by taking part in scheduled chat sessions and community discussions.
- Gambleaware: This organization helps prevent and manage gambling addiction by holding rational discussions on how to have a balanced betting approach and helping affected individuals navigate through problematic betting behaviours.
- Gamcare: This institution offers anyone with gambling problem confidential support and advise through its helpline that’s normally open 24/7.
All these organizations are renowned for helping bettors with gambling addiction overcome the disorder and put their lives back on track.
What Can You Do Apart from Treatment?
There are other steps you can take to combat gambling addiction, like:
- Self-exclusion: Betting operators usually allow bettors to exclude themselves from betting by restricting their accounts for a given duration.
- Opening up to a loved one: You can talk to a close friend or family member regarding your struggles with betting, and it can go a long way in helping you curb gambling addiction.
- Joining chatrooms/fora: This where you get an opportunity to share your gambling problem with other gamblers who are experiencing the same.
- Funds management plan: You should plan on how to use your income and first pay all your bills and debts before thinking about betting.
- Stick to your betting limits: You should always have a budget and the maximum amount you can wager at any given time and never alter them to avoid incurring huge losses.
These strategies have also proved effective over time, and you should try them.
FAQ
Can you stop problem gambling for good?
Yes. Problem gambling can be cured through behavioural therapy, whereby you are taught how to lower the urge to bet. You are also made to understand how gambling negatively affects you.
How can I help someone stop gambling?
You can advise them to avoid environments, sites, and people that can expose them to betting, give up control of their money, and replace gambling in their lives with other activities.
How can I substitute betting/gambling?
You can start exercising, look for a hobby, find new friends who don’t bet to hang out with you, or begin practising relaxation techniques. These activities will keep you preoccupied and help eliminate boredom.
