Recognized as a disease since 1980, pathological gambling is one of the most destructive pathologies at a personal, family and social level. Once we have banished the belief that gambling addiction is a vice that mainly affects men, we can begin to treat the problem for what it really is: a disease, a compulsive, progressive and chronic mental disorder that is affecting to a growing number of women.
Profile of the female gambler
- Gambling addiction or gambling has some differences between men and women. If men find in this addiction a way to release tension with a habit that involves some risk, women see it more as an evasion of everyday problems. But in both cases, the profile is that of a person close to a depressive state, with anxiety, sadness and involved in a problematic family situation.
- Bingo and “slot” machines are the games preferred by women. While the machines have a more introspective character and women go to them in a mental situation in which they feel alone and incapable of solving problems, bingo is considered a more social habit, which is used primarily to meet with girlfriends.
- The playful environment in which this gambling addiction begins means that the problem may take many years to detect. And as in the case of other addictions, such as alcoholism, the affected person is not aware of their disease until the problems derived from their addiction appear, that is, high debts, relationship problems and family breakdown.
The consequences of gambling addiction
- The process that a woman goes through from the time she starts playing the game until her illness becomes apparent is devastating. The innocent machines and fun bingo cards allow you to have a relaxing time free of responsibilities. In addition, the opportunity to earn money easily is a very tempting aspect in these times of crisis, hence the growing success of game rooms, bingo halls and the expectation of the controversial Euro Vegas complex.
- As the disease progresses, the gambling woman begins to hide her habit, which is already becoming an antisocial habit. This leads her to lie about her behavior, which in the medium term causes nervous, irritable and anxious behavior. The concealment of her disease will last as long as it takes to discover the economic hole that her addiction has produced. But it will still take a while for her to be aware of her illness.
- Treatment for compulsive gambling is similar to treatment for other addictions, such as sex, drug, or alcohol addiction. It consists of psychological therapies that examine the causes that have led this woman to hide her gambling problems and support groups where they can share experiences.
- In any case, the best treatment is prevention, although it is not easy in the case of games of chance covered in a patina of fun, legality and the opportunity to win. But the truth is, in gambling, the player never wins.
