The Dangers of Gambling
Gambling is an activity where someone will bet something of value in hopes of winning something of equal or greater value. Gamblers are more likely to be middle-aged and younger than older people. They are more likely to lie to their families and spouses and manipulate people around them. The dangers associated with gambling are often hidden by people, and they may be unaware of their problem.
Problem gamblers are more common in younger and middle-aged people
Studies have found that gambling involvement increases as individuals age and transition to adulthood. However, they have not determined why people begin to gamble at a younger age. Some studies have suggested that gambling involvement increases as individuals begin to experience life transitions, such as getting a job or moving out of the home.
The study also found that men are more likely to gamble than women, and that problem gambling is more common among youth. However, a higher SES is not necessarily a better indicator of problem gambling. In general, young people from low-income backgrounds are less likely to gamble and more likely to develop gambling problems. In contrast, young people from high-income families had the least involvement in gambling.
They lie to their spouses
If you think your spouse may be a problem gambler, there are some signs to watch out for. If you see sudden withdrawals from the checking or savings account without your knowledge, or if you receive phone calls from creditors demanding payment on past due bills, you may want to look deeper into the issue. Your spouse may also be secretive about their money and appear to always be short of cash.
Gamblers tend to conceal their problem from others. They will try to cover up their addiction by lying to their spouses, coworkers, and friends. They may claim they are just trying to win back money they’ve lost. Or they may tell you that they’ve changed their strategy or just got unlucky. However, denying the problem only adds fuel to the fire.
They lie to their parents
Problem gambling is a common problem on college and high school campuses, and it can be detrimental to a person’s career and financial stability. It can also land a person in jail. Fortunately, there are ways for parents to help their child overcome this issue. The first step is to address the issue in a positive way. Many problem gamblers may lie about their activities to cover up their addiction.
If a gambling addict is caught in the act of lying to their parents, it’s important to try to understand why they’re doing it. Gambling causes a spike in serotonin and dopamine. These chemicals make the gambler feel euphoric and content. If you understand the brain chemistry behind addiction, you can better empathize with your child. However, greater knowledge won’t erase the hurt caused by the betrayal of trust. In addition, the constant upheaval of addiction is damaging to the individual and family.