NOT everything that brings fun and excitement is good for a person. Perhaps the pleasant feelĀing is momentary, and once he gets hooked, the damage can last a lifeĀtime.
Gambling is one example. It beĀcomes a problem when it affects a personās ability to fulfill his obligaĀtions, when it leads to lying, stealing and dependence on creditors just to sustain the activity, and when a gambler neglects his health, job, and family.
There are stories of edĀucated people who tried gambling, got addicted, lost everything, and ended their lives. These are very sad effects of gambling addiction.
How can gambling addiction be avoided? Experts say that the preĀdisposition to become a gambler depends on several factors besides genetics and a competitive perĀsonality. The other factors include smoking, drinking, depression, and boredom.
Oneās genes may not be altered, but a few things can be done to avoid gambling addiction, like focusing on worthwhile, proĀductive activities, and not looking at gambling as a means to acĀquire money. It would be good to choose alternative activities that can meet a personās need for fun and excitement without spending much or borrowing money and to avoid people and places that enĀcourage gambling.
Doing someĀthing that will benefit other people and keeping oneās self busy also help. The tragic stories of gamĀbling addicts may help change the behavior of people who are at risk of becoming gambling addicts themselves.
A few minutes of fun and exciteĀment may lead to a lifetime of reĀmorse, so be careful.