Women’s New Secret Addiction

Women’s New Secret Addiction

These days lots of women enjoy playing games online. Playing casino games can be a great way to relax at the end of a busy day or to make a bit of extra income if you have good skills and luck too. Like many other things in life, it’s important to maintain self-control when betting. When starting out, many people play free games where there’s no chance of loosing any money or only risk a small amount of money when playing. This is often just the start and, if you’re not careful, it could be the beginning of a life-altering addiction.

Historically speaking, men have been found to be more likely to have a gambling problem than women. A common misconception is that only men struggle with this issue. However, studies demonstrate this is not the case. Although males are more likely than females to develop a gambling addiction, women appear to face at least the same risk of developing problem as males, according to recent studies.

A new study by GambleAware provides insight into the prevalence of gambling addiction among women. They estimate that one million British women are susceptible to the adverse effects of gambling. This claim is based on data showing a new worrisome peak in females playing these kinds of online games. While men make up a disproportionate share, the number of women in need of help and receiving treatment from services such as The National Gambling Treatments Service or the National Helpline has increased dramatically over the past five years.

According to GamCare, this increase is due to the increased accessibility online among women using mobile devices. Up to seventy percent of female players do it using a mobile app or the internet. In the past, women had to either visit the male-dominated world of bookies or take the time and the social danger of visiting a casino.

Women between the age range of 35 and 54 are most likely to participate, with slightly lower rates of participation in both the younger and older age categories, as reported by the UK Gambling Commission. Younger women are seen betting on lotteries and scratchcards in social settings and at gaming centres and arcades, as well as betting privately with friends.

Furthermore, two in five women who have problems like these do not get help because they feel ashamed, according to GambleAware. Ian Semel, the leader of Breakeven, added that there is such a social stigma attached too. According to him, the reason behind this is because, there are fairly defined gender roles for women in society, and it is generally expected of them that they will take care of children and elderly relatives. If you break this rule, you put yourself in danger of “judgment, exposure, shame, and guilt”. 

Also, a significant percentage of women don’t seek help because they are afraid of having their children taken away from them if it becomes public knowledge that they are suffering from some addiction.

Warning Signs & Preventative Measures

It is often said that prevention is preferable to treatment. One must be aware of the warning signs in order to take preventative measures and beat the addiction. Here are the four most important red flags to look out for:

• When you start losing track of time.
• When you’re spending more money than you have.
• Borrowing to money to feed the habit.
• When you are hiding your habits from friends and family.

It has been observed that when it comes to playing games online, women are more likely to play slots (which can be more addictive) than males. Additionally, there has been an increase in advertising directed at women, which has prompted many nations to explore modifying their advertising restrictions in an effort to combat the epidemic of these kinds of addictions.

An Exploration of the Mindsets at Play

What personality traits put some women at more risk for developing an addiction to playing games online? Let’s take a look at these:

1. The Thrill of It

The high of victory breeds hope and expectation of even greater rewards. Even though it was a bad day, it is possible to feel better for a few minutes when you win. This leads to more frequent visits and, eventually, longer sessions spent playing their preferred games.

2. Needing to Get Away

Women tend to bottle up their emotions, making them harder to deal with. Oftentimes, women are using these games as a coping mechanism for dealing with the pressures of everyday life and other, more pressing concerns. Slot playing can lead to a trance-like state, where players lose touch with reality and their account balance.

Getting Your Loved Ones Help

Treatment and support groups are available for people struggling with all kinds of addiction. It is crucial to seek out assistance in order to identify causes and reestablish quality of life. You can even get support that is tailored to women to assist with both the physical dependence and any underlying emotional issues that may be contributing to your problem. A residential gambling rehabilitation programme or a local support group might be what’s needed to help your loved one make some healthy changes. Have a look online to see what’s available where you live.

Conclusion

Thankfully there is a lot more focus on women who have these problems now than there was before. Although there isn’t a surefire way to stop someone from developing a problem, there is hope in preventive education programs aimed at those most likely to be harmed by it. Anyone who is predisposed to addiction should stay away from risky activities that might trigger them and anyone who feels like their habits have become a problem, should seek out help as soon as possible.

Guest Article.