What is gambling addiction?

According to Criminal Procedure Law of Turkey, “Gambling defined as a game which is played with the intent to earn money and profit or loss of which depends on chance is a name given for redistribution of possessions without production of winner and loser sides on the basis of venturing intentionally.

Gambling losses

For Person

• It causes psychological problems.
• It boosts the possibility to acquire other addictions more easily. (Alcohol, tobacco etc.)
• A person who becomes selfish and self-seeking is not expected to avoid harming himself and surroundings.
• Because of his gambling passion, one does not fulfill responsibilities towards his family and children.
• One gets involved in complicated relationship networks which can result in physical damages. (In whose power those type of sectors are is unknown and a person is pushed into a world where there is no winner.)
• Along with financial loss, one becomes harmful to himself, his family and society.

For Family

• Trust environment in family gets lost.
• It causes financial loss in family and because of these losses psychological, family and social problems emerges. (Divorce, violence in family etc.)
• Relations ventured on for gambling finance reflect family and individuals.

For society

• Unjust earnings becomes valid; gravy becomes ideal of new generations.
• Illegal structures and organizations gain power and property with these ways.
• Understandings fundamental for society such as working, sweat of one’s brow, justice and law lose their significance.
• Social ethics get harm.
•  Ambition to win and gain reflects all social relations.
• Peace and trust in society get injured.

To overcome thoughts to gamble, one should…

• Stay away from gambling sites on internet and places where gambling takes place.
• Leave things which remind you gambling. (Horse race programmes, casino ads, lottery tickets etc.)
• Keep your distance from people involved in gambling.
• Abstain from dispute over gambling.
• Keep money which is enough for daily need, not use credit cards and ATM cards out of necessity.
• Change life style and negative habits with positive ones.
• Both a gambler and people who know that s/he is a gambler should not avoid applying addiction treatment and struggling with gambling in such a way.
• Communicate for support and ask for help from trusted family friends.
• Dealing with different things is important and it will be beneficial to focus attention on different activities. (Working at home, sports etc.)

How Can I Help?

• You can take precaution against gambling and recurrences by setting a limit to money management or taking the charge of financial responsibility.
• You have to be ready for asking for money of the gambler by begging, threatening or accusing and develop a strategy in advance.
• To get a therapy support will help both you and the gambler to cope with problems more easily.