Various individuals have gambled at least one time in their life. Gambling can be defined as going to a casino, betting money on a team, or buying lottery tickets. Gambling addiction is a behavior. Behavior can be described as an individual’s actions. The behavior results from one’s choice, leads to the scars of the negative consequences, becomes a pattern along with a craving.
Gambling addiction is a desire. The desire begins when the gambler craves the first win he/she receives. Most individuals who have begun the desire have no intention of quitting. Jon and Ole-Jørgen say, “In the first stage, moderate, occasional gambling is triggered by a desire for entertainment and a hope for monetary gain” (Elster and Skog 228). The craving causes a blindfold to be attached to the individual leading to the individual not seeing the problem. A slight hole may appear in the blind fold, but only allows the individual to see part of the problem which only leads to denial.
Gambling addiction is routine. Routine is carrying out an activity rhythmically. The desire to stop at the local quick shop in the morning to buy a lottery ticket is as much of a person’s daily routine as brushing their teeth or drinking a cup of coffee. As stated by Addiction Rehab, “Many Americans believe that you are only an addicted gambler if you do it every day, such as drug addicts practice their addictions. This is wrong, because even if a person gambles only gambles three or four times a year, but it is hurting them and they cannot control it, there is still a problem” (Gambling).
A gambling addiction is a negative consequence. Numerous negative consequences include financial trouble, terrible temper, or even family dilemmas. Addiction Rehab says, “A gambler who is suffering from an addiction will not be able to control the impulse they have to risk and gamble their money despite being fully aware that it is affecting them in a very negative way” (Gambling). Betting on money the individual doesn’t have or money the individual needs for important expenses leads to the digging of the financial hole. The addictions create the addict to mask and hide the habit resulting in lies, suspicion, and other problems to occur in the family (Gambling). Because of the secretively and suspicion of family members, the individual becomes irritable.
Gambling addiction is one’s choice. To become addicted the individual must begin the task knowing the consequences of their
