Pathological gambling has an effect on 1-2% of adults, with that number rising to as many as 4% of adults living within a 50-mile radius of a casino. For men, this addiction typically takes hold during the early adolescent years, while, for women, it begins between the ages of 20 and 40.
Pathological gambling is a disease that affects the brain and appears to be similar in many ways to disorders such as addiction to alcohol and drug abuse. This is likely due to the fact that the problems are located in the same part of the brain, and this part of the brain also deals with other potentially addictive areas like eating and sex. As a matter of fact, this area of the brain is known as the dopamine reward pathway, or the pleasure center.
For those who are likely to develop a pathological gambling problem, occasional gambling quickly becomes habitual gambling. Additionally, daily stressors in life (such as job and family, or money) can make gambling problems become more dangerous.
Common Symptoms:
People dealing with a pathological gambling problem usually feel ashamed and attempt to hide the problem from friends and family members. The American Psychiatric Association characterizes “pathological gambling” as an illness comprised of at least five of these symptoms:
Gambling fixation (spending a lot of time fantasizing or daydreaming about gambling)
Feeling a need to gamble greater sums in order to satisfy the urge
Frequent/multiple unsuccessful attempts to scale back to some extent or completely quit gambling
Feelings of restlessness or irritability when attempting to scale back or stop
Gambling as a way to escape problems or feelings of depression or stress
“Chasing losses” (having to gamble increasingly larger amounts of money in an attempt to break even)
Compulsively lying or avoiding talking about money or time spent gambling
Committing crimes with the intent to use the money for gambling
Loss of employment, significant relationship, or educational opportunity because of gambling
Continuously having to get loans in order to cover cost of living due to gambling
Much like a problem with being addicted to alcohol or even food, pathological gambling is a chronic disorder that will only get much worse without the right treatment.
Our method to help get rid of the addiction to gambling is harmless, non-invasive, and, thankfully, painless. The program is typically a course of 4 laser treatments scheduled 1-2 weeks apart. A professional laser technician uses a “soft” laser beam to affect specific points on the body (such as arm, face, neck, or hands). Directing the laser beam to these spots balances chemicals in the brain that cause the urge to gamble and generate the endorphins that tell the body that gambling (and other addictions) feels “good.” Endorphins have a soothing, comforting effect on the body that effectively reduces often-painful withdrawal symptoms. Some laser therapy patients even talk about a feeling of euphoria after a gambling addiction treatment.
Do not let gambling addiction ruin lives. Become a part of the solution instead of the problem with Matrix Institute of Laser Therapy’s gambling addiction treatment course.
