The Gambling Commission has released a report that shows that the UK has over 250,000 problem gamblers. The figure currently represents about 0.6 per cent of the adult population. What this figure fails to show is the crippling effect a gambling addiction has on family life, and that web access has exposed far more people to the detrimental affects of this activity.
It's also arguable whether the figures are an accurate reflection of the scale of problem gambling. Most Internet gambling is a hidden phenomenon, and many people don't want to admit that they have lost control. That is why Gamblers Anonymous always tells the afflicted that admitting that there's a problem is the first step towards making a recovery.
Symptoms and Signs of Problem Gambling
- Taking time off of work, and spending less time with the family in order to place bets.
- Secret betting.
- Feeling remorse after losing money and vowing to quit.
- Speculating with money that is needed to pay the bills or solve financial problems.
- When losing, further bets are placed to win back any losses. When money is won, more money is gambled to win more.
- Betting when you feel down or have a desire exists to celebrate.
- Bank and credit card statements go missing to hide what's been happening.
The Financial Impact of Problem Gambling
An addiction has terrible financial ramifications for family life. The gambler will spend literally any money available, including that needed for priority bills. It's not uncommon for the afflicted to waste money that's needed for the bus fare home on a needless bet.
The craving to bet results in monetary shortages in other vital areas. Lending a problem gambler money only serves to exacerbate the problem, and financial issues become a way of life. Official government figures indicate the average gambling debt was over £23,000 in 2004.
No debt solution will have any long term benefit on debt until action is taken to stop. A secured loan to pay off credit card debt will soon result in multiple credit cards being maxed out and a new loan. It only serves to free up new betting money. The only way to overcome the problem is to stop.
The Effect of a Gambling Addiction on Children and the Family
Many partners of problem gamblers report being married to a Jekyll and Hyde character. The swings in fortunes have a terrible affect on the compulsive gambler's mood. Until the problem is tackled, verbal and physical abuse as well as monetary shortages only tend to get worse.
Partners talk to their friends who paint a terrible picture of that person, leading to divorce and family breakdown. Sometimes lasting, long-term mental and psychological damage is done to the partner. Whilst many understand the plight of living with an alcoholic, few genuinely understand what it is like to live with a problem gambler.
The Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling found that 35 per cent have children under the age of 18 living at home. If a parent develops a problem it will have a serious impact on the entire family and anyone who cares enough to help.
It also has a terrible effect on family life and it's important to get gambling addiction help from either Gamcare or GA. Try not to hit rock bottom before admitting that a problem exists as the sooner it is tackled the easier gambling debt problems are to overcome.
Resolving Gambling Debt Problems
Using personal bankruptcy to resolve your debts is no longer a good solution due to the Enterprise Act 2002. A Bankruptcy Restriction Order (BRO) could result in the bankrupt being held financially accountable for up to 15 years. Filing bankruptcy to pay off gambling debt is different in the U.S.
Once the addiction has been come to terms with, consider an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) or a debt management plan. The first priority is to overcome the problem because no debt solution will be of assistance until the root cause of the problem has been addressed.
Asa Ghaffar - Asa has over 10 years of practical experience in loan approval, secured lending, bad credit repair, stock trading and debt management.
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