Why people gamble.

People gamble for many reasons. Many of those are puzzling to people who do not gamble themselves. .

The reasons for gambling are different for each person. In counselling we will discuss the apparent reasons, then work to find the real reasons that are affecting each client. The real reasons are commonly different to the apparent reasons.

Gamblers start and continue gambling for many reasons, most of which may appear logical to that person.

They may include:

• Reluctance, or fear, of saving. Some gamblers are not comfortable with money that is not designated.
• Boredom. Gambling is very time-consuming. Gamblers can use it to occupy their 'spare time'.
• Greed.  Some gamblers are greedy for obtaining wealth and consider gambling a method of doing so.
• Desperation. Gamblers can sometimes get to a situation where the only possible way out is to win on gambling.
• Showing off.  Some gamblers want to demonstrate their supposed prowess to others.
• Chasing losses. Gamblers who have lost, often will try to 'win back losses'.
• Resentment at the gambling industry. Gamblers want to retaliate against the gambling industry.
• Entertainment. Many people find gambling entertaining. It activates the 'reward' brain area.
• Disassociation from life's realities. Disassociation is encouraged by the gambling industry - it works.
• Loneliness, or a desire to socialise. Gamblers can consider gambling their social friend, always available.

A commonality for many of these reasons are an intention to evade or avoid reality, to 'disassociate' from the realities of normal life. Many of these reasons are not financial desire, the historical results in most cases is that people lose money to the gambling industry.  The gambling industry wants to instill disassociation in their clients, they know that if a person 'forgets' or disassociates from their reality that there will be more likelihood of them gambling more, thus profits will increase.

Reluctance to save may seem a strange reason to gamble.  It can be the basis of many financial problems. The origins might be a well-meant gift of money as a child, when the giver then asks "and what are you going to buy with that"? The child receives the 'message' that money should be spent, not saved without a specific objective. That message can become part of the child's life script. In adulthood, getting rid of money can really become a emotional problem, which can be solved by rash spending or gambling. Gambling is often easier.

For a appointment; email, call or text: 07757 233386 (UK). I may be with a client, or otherwise occupied, in which case please leave a message with your contact number. I will respond promptly. Or email: info@counsellingworld.co.uk Or use the contact page to send me a message.