Betting may and does convert into a serious disorder. It often results in monetary and relationship ruin in the majority of, if not all, conditions. For a few, attempted suicide after losing a game is not unheard of. Obsessive gambling is far more common for men than among women, although the percentage of female gaming addicts is increasing too. Gaming addicts are as well more apt to smoke cigarettes and get hooked to alcohol compared to amateur gamblers and this can compound the problem. There are four stages that can help you understand a gambling dependency: the winning stage, the chasing stage, the desperation phase and hopelessness.

The Winning Phase

This is a small and at times non-existent stage that associates freedom from problems with winning many small or major bets. It can provide a short-term boost in confidence and a feeling of strength. The thrill and stimulation frequently experienced at the casino is employed to charge up the lives of those troubled by some circumstances and aloneness.

The Chasing Stage

The obsession begins to fall apart when several losses are blamed on ill fortune. In an case, no single win is ever adequate. More often, the gambler likes to play stakes alone. They start to conceal their betting because the losses have landed them in a difficult financial spot. The person starts to ignore his or her family members and subsequently becomes short-tempered when not gambling. Gradually, gambling and laying bets become the sole survival method to the greater problems in life.

The addict can play on until the time he is bankrupt and can turn distant regarding the trouble. This part can remain for a number of years, with the gambler progressively placing larger bets on slimmer odds. In most cases, the addict commences borrowing money to sustain the compulsion and his life with his family is gone.

The Desperation Phase

The addict seems as there is hardly any, if no time for anything different and nothing else in life is important except the thrill of gambling more. He comes down to to lying, manipulation and complete denial of criticism. He normally removes all accountability from himself and does not hold himself accountable for his desperate state. On occasion he might exhibit acute rage towards people who refute that his gaming is merely "ordinary".

Usually, his monetary situations are a disaster and fees continue to be due. The family by now realize the compulsion but stay troubled and weak. Oftentimes the gambler contemplates killing himself and sees death as the only exit strategy. This is the circumstance where the majority of remediation happens but reversions from beginning remedial programs may be frequent. Regrettable, there are a large number who undertake the remedial program but continue betting anyway.

The Hopeless Phase

This stage goes ahead of "bad enough" and usually includes severe depression, death, or illegal acts that frequently land them in jail.