The Phases of Action Compulsive Gamblers

Due to the increasing popularity of gambling in most nations, researches conducted studies about the different behavior of gamblers. Such studies found the types of gamblers in communities. These include social or recreational gamblers, serious gamblers, problem gamblers and action compulsive gamblers.

It is observed that action compulsive gamblers usually participate in games that require skills such as poker and blackjack. The term "action compulsive gamblers" is associated with men that have a high-level of ego. Their average intelligence quotient is 120 and they are seen to be domineering. However, despite of their great characteristics, most action compulsive gamblers have low self-esteem.

There are four phases which are experienced by action compulsive gamblers. These phases are the winning phase, the losing phase, the desperation phase and the hopeless phase.

In the winning phase, the rate of winnings experienced by action compulsive gamblers are greater than their losses. During this phase, action compulsive gamblers believe that they bear the characteristics of professional gamblers and most of the time they see themselves as one. Because of constant wins in gambling events, action compulsive gamblers tend to increase their bets.

The losing phase refers to the stage wherein action compulsive gamblers frequently experience losses but they believe that they are just in a losing streak. So they continue to increase their bets in order to win back their losses. Due to frequent losses, action compulsive gamblers may suffer from financial troubles.

The desperation phase is characterized by the frequent lying and stealing by gamblers just to sustain their urge to gamble. At this phase, the family life of the gambler is affected and in great trouble. During this time, action compulsive gamblers are in deep financial troubles and they fail to provide the daily needs of their families, because they still use money set aside for the family to gamble.

The hopeless phase refers to the stage wherein action compulsive gamblers lost all their hopes that they will recover from their losses. At this stage, most action compulsive gamblers have suicidal tendencies due to financial troubles that they have incurred from gambling addiction.

Gambling has risks and benefits. It is important that gamblers learn to control and discipline themselves before engaging in any gambling event. Knowing how to stop during a winning streak will be helpful to avoid the development of gambling addiction. It will also contribute if gamblers see gambling as a way of relaxation and not as their primary source of income.