It’s not enough for us to tell you that prevention is important if we don’t elaborate on the various ways you could forestall the onset of problem gaming. Moreover, sometimes it’s way too easy to lose control of a delicate situation, and when the proverbial poop hits the fan, you’ll need ways to deal with the problem.
Recognizing the Problem
As we said before, education is a big part of responsible gaming, especially when it comes to understanding what problem gaming involves. These include understanding the patterns of behaviour that problem gamers tend to display, understanding the symptoms of problem gambling, and all the ways to prevent it from happening.
With this knowledge in mind, you’ll be able to recognise any problematic behaviour that you or a loved one might be slowly developing as a result of problem gaming. If that happens to be the case, please consider any of the following preventive measures. Remember that your health and safety are important.
Self-Barring
One of the most effective ways to curb the possible emergence of problem gaming, as well as a surefire way of keeping gaming to a responsible level, is the self-exclusion option. This measure includes either taking a short break from gambling, a long one, or giving up gambling altogether if need be.
Reaching Out
There are plenty of organisations out there that have been set up to help problem gamers; there is nothing to be afraid of or embarrassed about when it comes to reaching out for help. If anything, reaching out is a step in the right direction and a sign of maturity as it shows a certain strength of character.
Gambling Therapy
Depending on the gravity of the problem, players might need to undergo gambling therapy; it sucks, but it’s definitely not the end of the world. The key in this situation is your willingness to get better: no amount of therapy will ever work if you don’t want to get better. So, if you find yourself in this situation, be cooperative, have patience, be mindful of what the therapists tell you, and have the strength to face the situation head-on.
