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Taking measures to prevent diseases, improve our health, and extend our lifespan
A disease affecting people from all walks of life
The condition where technology controls a person
Individuals may be referred to addiction treatment centers if deemed necessary
Promoting mental well-being by coping with stress and recognizing abilities
One of the most widely abused substances globally due to nicotine addiction
Activation of the brain's reward pleasure mechanism by repeating a certain behavior
Crucial in preventing relapse after quitting alcohol or drugs.
Complete well-being physically, mentally, and socially
A product containing vaporized nicotine reported as harmful.
1.85 million out of 3 million deaths in 2017 were preventable.
The process of recovery by combating addiction
Inability to quit substances despite knowing the physical and psychological harms
Risking something valuable in hopes of gaining something more valuable
The beginning of the body's purification process after quitting substance use
The process of reintegrating into society healthily
Taking measures to prevent diseases, improve our health, and extend our lifespan
A disease affecting people from all walks of life
The condition where technology controls a person
Individuals may be referred to addiction treatment centers if deemed necessary
Promoting mental well-being by coping with stress and recognizing abilities
One of the most widely abused substances globally due to nicotine addiction
Activation of the brain's reward pleasure mechanism by repeating a certain behavior
Crucial in preventing relapse after quitting alcohol or drugs.
Complete well-being physically, mentally, and socially
A product containing vaporized nicotine reported as harmful.
1.85 million out of 3 million deaths in 2017 were preventable.
The process of recovery by combating addiction
Inability to quit substances despite knowing the physical and psychological harms
Risking something valuable in hopes of gaining something more valuable
The beginning of the body's purification process after quitting substance use
The process of reintegrating into society healthily
Gambling addiction is an uncontrollable urge to continue gambling despite its negative impact on a person's life. The International Federation of Green Crescent collaborates with Country Green Crescents to effectively prevent gambling addiction. Awareness campaigns, capacity-building programs, advocacy and prevention activities are among the primary areas of focus in this issue.
Gambling is defined as putting money or valuables at stake on an event, with the goal of correctly predicting the outcome to gain additional money or material possessions and the uncertainty of the outcome. Gambling addiction is driven by an overstimulation of the brain's reward system, similar to other types of addictions.
While gambling may initially seem like a fun and skill-based activity for individuals, it can lead to psychosocial and economic problems for individuals, families and society, eventually turning into an addiction. Gambling addiction is the most common impulse control disorder worldwide.
The International Federation of Green Crescent collaborates with Country Green Crescents worldwide to raise awareness, organize training programs and develop effective strategies to prevent the negative effects of gambling. The federation continues its efforts with the vision of creating a collective awareness against the harms of gambling, aiming to improve the health and well-being of communities.
In the past, the psychiatric community viewed gambling more as a compulsion than an addiction, motivated by an intense urge rather than a physical necessity. However, research over time has revealed that gambling addiction closely resembles alcoholism and drug addiction more than initially thought.
The defining characteristic of gambling addiction is the complete immersion in gambling, being unable to quit despite negative consequences. Common symptoms include:
People with gambling addiction cannot stop themselves from playing or set a loss limit when they lose; they feel compelled to continue playing to try to recover their money. In most cases, individuals end up losing more than intended, blame themselves for the amount of money lost and then try to compensate for the losses by playing more, leading to further financial losses. This destructive cycle results in many negative consequences.
Gambling addiction has a comprehensive impact, not only harming the individual but also affecting their family and society negatively. The effects include:
For the Individual:
For the Family:
For Society:
To address gambling addiction, individuals should:
To prevent gambling and potential relapses, consider:
Given the profound impact of this destructive habit on communities and families, treating pathological gambling as a public health issue is crucial. Successful treatment is possible by implementing a treatment model often used for substance addiction. Individuals with gambling addiction should be directed to the addiction treatment departments of hospitals.
To achieve success in a treatment program tailored to the individual, it is essential for the individual to first acknowledge that gambling addiction is a pathological disorder.
The Green Crescent Counseling Center (YEDAM) provides free psychosocial support for individuals with gambling addiction. This service, offered by the Turkish Green Crescent Society, aims to create motivation for quitting, prevent relapses and help individuals cope with the desire to gamble. Expert psychologists provide support for mental health issues that may arise after quitting gambling. In meetings with families, activities are conducted on topics such as money management, family relationships and parenting attitudes and skills. This valuable service seeks to establish an effective support network in preventing gambling addiction, aiming to improve the quality of life for individuals and increase societal awareness in addiction prevention.
To answer your questions in the fields of Addiction and Public Health...
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