Understanding the Lure of Gambling

Article | Harmful habits

In today's world, finding positive emotions, relaxation, and a way to unwind can be challenging. For many, gambling becomes a means to experience the emotions missing from their daily lives, especially for those whose work no longer brings joy, who have relationship problems, or who are experiencing low moods.

Why People Keep Gambling After Losing

The phenomenon of returning to gambling after a loss can be explained by the mechanism of gambling addiction. When a person loses, they often don't see it as a final defeat but rationalize it by thinking, "If I didn't win now, I'll win next time." This mindset motivates them to keep trying. Additionally, the feeling of loss can be unpleasant, and obsessive thoughts about it can lead to a desire to dive back into the game.

Dreams of a Better Life

Beyond the motivation to recoup losses, there's also the motivation to increase winnings. Dreams of a better life funded by gambling winnings can stimulate continued play in pursuit of an imagined ideal. This can lead to a substitution effect: instead of working towards goals, individuals increasingly rely on chance and gambling. Each subsequent game can become an integral part of life, replacing other forms of leisure, emotional expression, and communication. Some players try to restrain themselves, justifying it with their independence and limited time, but they continue to gamble nonetheless.

The Impact of Casino Advertising

Almost everyone has seen online casino advertising at least once. These ads are filled with vivid, enticing images that stand out against the monotony of everyday life, making gambling seem like an entertaining escape. Another aspect is the promise of quick wins, which sounds appealing: play and have the chance to win money, especially when many are looking to recover lost funds or increase their income.

Recognizing Signs of Gambling Addiction

When funds for gambling run low, individuals may start using their family's money, borrowing from friends, or even taking out loans, convinced that it's temporary and that they will be able to repay everything.

Key signs of gambling addiction include:

Constant thoughts about gambling and the desire to play
Increasing the amount of time spent gambling
Gambling expenses exceeding income
Hiding interest in gambling from others
Losing interest in other life areas in favor of gambling

How to Help Someone with a Gambling Addiction

1. Acknowledge the problem and show understanding and a willingness to help.

2. Try to identify the needs fulfilled by gambling and whether they can be met in other ways. Consider both the positive and negative aspects of the situation to enhance awareness of its complexity.

3. Offer support and assistance, letting the person know they can count on you. Be ready to listen. You can't make decisions for someone else, but you can be there and support them through tough times. Also, take care of yourself, as supporting another requires resources.

Author: Mark Lisevych

04 May 2024

What are the benefits of a free consultation?

Getting to know the psychologist: You can talk to the psychologist to see if they are a good fit for you in terms of their work style, personality, and specialization.

Defining the problem: You can describe your problem in detail and get qualified advice from the psychologist, which will help you better understand the nature of your problem.

Developing a plan of action: You can get recommendations on how to solve your problem, which methods and approaches may be the most effective.

Feeling supported: You can get emotional support and feel that you are not alone, because the psychologist will listen to you attentively.

Who is a free consultation suitable for?

Those looking for a psychologist: A free consultation can help you make the right choice, as you can talk to several psychologists before making a final decision.

Those who are unsure whether they need psychotherapy: A free consultation can help you understand whether psychotherapy can help you solve your problem and whether it is right for you.

Those who have a limited budget: A free consultation is an opportunity to get qualified help from a psychologist for free, to see if you need further psychotherapy.

Those who may be nervous or hesitant to start psychotherapy: A free consultation gives you the opportunity to overcome your fear of the first meeting with a psychologist, get answers to your questions, and feel more confident.

Important:

A free consultation is not a substitute for psychotherapy.

In a free consultation, the psychologist cannot give you a final diagnosis or prescribe treatment.

The purpose of a free consultation is to help you determine if a psychologist and psychotherapy are right for you, and to give you the first steps to solving your problem.

Potential benefits of a free initial consultation

During this first session: potential clients have the chance to learn more about you and your approach before agreeing to work together.

Offering a free consultation will help you build trust with the client. It shows them that you want to give them a chance to make sure you are the right person to help them before they move forward. Additionally, you should also be confident that you can support your clients and that the client has problems that you can help them cope with. Also, you can avoid any ethical difficult situations about charging a client for a session in which you choose not to proceed based on fit.

We've found that people are more likely to proceed with therapy after a free consultation, as it lowers the barrier to starting the process. Many people starting therapy are apprehensive about the unknown, even if they've had sessions before. Our culture associates a "risk-free" mindset with free offers, helping people feel more comfortable during the initial conversation with a specialist.

It's important to note that the initial consultation differs from a typical therapy session:

It can last from 15 to 30 minutes, with the specialist determining the appropriate length for this introductory meeting.

The free initial consultation is not intended to be a full therapy session. It is an opportunity for the client to learn more about the specialist and their approach to therapy, and to decide whether they want to work together.

The specialist should set clear boundaries for the free initial consultation, including the length of the session and the topics that can be discussed.

The specialist should be prepared to answer questions from the client about their experience, training, and qualifications.

The specialist should not give specific advice or recommendations during the free initial consultation. This should be done during a paid session.