When a Gambling Addiction Goes Untreated it Can Lead to Many Life Problems

If you or a loved one has a gambling problem, you can probably understand the title of the article. Left untreated, a severe gambling habit or severe gambling addiction can create tremendous pain for the gambler or the family of the gambler.

What happens when this addiction goes untreated? Do things stay the same for the gambler, or does it get worse? Research has shown that things actually get worse for the gambler. Every aspect of life can start spiraling downward in all areas of the gamblers’ life.

The areas of the addicted gamblers’ life that are affected include the social, emotional, physical, spiritual, mental, and financial areas of life. All of these areas of life can become affected when the gambler continues to gamble obsessively and compulsively. This can truly create a high level stress and incomprehensible demoralization.

Social Aspects:
The person with the gambling problem begins to lose friends because gambling becomes the primary relationship. Social isolation happens with both families, friends, and a sense of community becomes dimininished.

Emotional Aspects:
When this addiction goes untreated, the emotional consequences are huge. Out of control gambling contributes to depression, anxiety, sadness, and indifference in the addicted gambler. Depression, stress, and anxiety can become so severe, that this can result in suicide. Gambling has the highest suicide rate of all addictions many times over.

Physical Aspects:
The physical consequences of an untreated gambling illness are a cause for concern. When a person is obsessed with gambling and has a compulsive gambling addiction, this can affect the physical health of the gambler. Usually, when someone is addicted to gambling they neglect all aspects of their health. The health of the gambler deteriorates, which contributes to lack of self-care, depression, poor nutrition, and lack of sleep.

Mental Aspects:
The consequences of an untreated gambling are numerous mentally for the gambler. Lack of motivation, indifference, and lack of concern for important things can affect a compulsive gambler. When a persona is in the grips of a gambling addiction, thinking is not rational. The main obsession is on gambling, or when the gambler can place his or her next bet. When this happens, thinking is compromised, as well as values. It is hard to think rationally and be mentally clear when the most important thing is sitting in front of a slot machine.

Spiritual Aspects:
When a person is struggling with a severe gambling problem, their spiritual life is truly compromised. When a person is spiritual, there is a connection between the person and the world around them. Spiritually may also consist of a relationship with a higher power or a power greater than themselves. This cannot happen in the grips of a gambling addiction, as the primary relationship is with the gambling itself.

Financial Aspects:
The financial consequences of an untreated gambling disorder are huge and cannot be understated. The devastation here is too huge to describe, as many gamblers have gotten into such severe gambling debt that it is truly incomprehensible. Many gamblers and their families have lost their homes, and maxed out credit cards. Bankruptcy is very common for those with a gambling related problems.

It is hoped that these consequences of gambling problems can help you understand how an untreated addiction to gambling has the power to destroy lives.

Thankfully, there is help for a gambling addiction and people can stop gambling and reclaim their lives. The downward spiral of this addiction is truly stoppable with the right gambling help.

Michelle S. Tee is a gambling self help coach and author who specializes in how to gambling addictions [http://www.gamblingaddiction.tv] and how to beat addictive gambling [http://www.gamblingaddiction.tv]

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