Gamblers fallacy is an erroneous belief that if something occurs frequently within a given period of time, a time more often than is considered normal then it will occur less frequently in the future and alternatively if something occurs much less frequently within a given period of time than is considered normal then it will happen more frequently in the future again!
Another name for gamblers fallacy is called Monte Carlo Fallacy and also the fallacy of the maturity or success of chances.
The universe is built on maths and mathematics evaluates and determines everything within the universe according to astrophysicists and Einstein types.
It also includes mathematical determination of law of cause and effects and probability of predicted outcomes and so on.
The universe and all its inner workings have a balance point and all things return back to that balance point or source or so it is thought.
One could argue that randomness is more than just random chance and that gamblers often believe that a thing will happen; it absolutely will happen very soon, especially if it hasn’t happened recently but has happened in their past!
It will, it must!
This is a very dodgy path the gambler travels on and quite understandably makes sense to the human mind but is obviously faulty.
Within gamblers fallacy we have what is called the law of small numbers or in other words smaller amounts must be representative of a greater number.
According to this belief certain successful or lucky breaks must eventually return or even out recent such losses.
Gamblers actually evaluate or sense that there is a high probability of a specific looming stake or lucky break around the corner simply by recalling how familiar this way of thinking is to previous successes that they have reaped success and enjoyed before.
Gamblers expect that bad run of random outcomes should contain certain ingredients of the longer more successful run.
The balance point has to yield soon either negatively or positively, for or against and is often viewed for in favor of the gambler, it’s inevitable, it’s only a matter of time and this view is very powerful and driven.
Irrespective of which way the gambler views this, it’s still the same whether it’s someone in the local bookies putting a few pence on a horse or a wealthy businessman putting millions on a casino game – it’s the same way of thinking!
Within the game of chance, gamblers often are mistaken in the belief that mathematics or randomness has a sort of fairness to it in the end and that all good things will return to those who wait or keep trying!
All losses will eventually correct themselves!
The definition of a gambler
A persistent or compulsive gambler is someone who has a real problem and is unable to resist the urge to gamble and often chases after their losses!
For many heavily addicted gamblers there is a buildup of psychological and mental tension which can be so severe that the only way it can be relieved is through gambling. The same could be said to many other symptoms like OCD, where each sufferer or participant in the activity finds their own outlet or expression unique to them.
Many gamblers could be considered simply problem gamblers who leave and return to it on and off and whilst it is a problem for them it doesn’t take their life over whereas serious gamblers or pathological gamblers enter into a critical and extreme form of behaviour which involves total denial and outright refusal to accept that they have a problem even if they know they have – it’s simply just not open to think about or discuss.
It’s often said that many gamblers don’t realise they do have a gambling problem but the reality is everyone who excessively gambles knows they’ve got a problem but they just won’t admit it or even except it, let alone share it with others, often until it’s too late.
Recovery
Severe gamblers find a way to treatment when they hit rock bottom or lose everything which can include house, family, wife and children along with their money and job then comes the self-respect issues and depression which possibly leads to drinking and criminal activities such as theft or worse!
For many hardened gamblers recovery starts when they reach the worst point they could possibly reach!
One thing we do know for sure is that gambling plays a good part in the pleasure center of the brain also called the dopamine discharge and reward pathway.
Indications
Everyday tension and stress related incident can exasperate the gamblers need to gamble.
Many gamblers become so bad that they enter into criminality to fund their addiction and habit.
Many hours a day are spent thinking about gambling which includes analysing and manipulating and strategising on how to obtain more money.
- Endlessly lying about their gambling habits.
- Chasing up their losses.
- Chasing after excitement by increasing the stakes or risk.
- Feeling hopeless and restless when trying to stop gambling.
- Using gambling has a form of escapism.
- Using gambling to alleviate feelings of anxiety.
- Losing important things in one’s life such as family and the home.
- Falling into severe debt or using loan sharks.
- Many gamblers have committed suicide as a result of the path they travelled down.
- Others have become alcoholics, ended up on medication or drugs and developed severe depression.
Treatment
Treatment is available and it is successful for many people but it is absolutely essential that the gambler literally drops to his/her knees in the admission of their problem, a form of submitting or letting go of the ego to the fact that they have destroyed themselves and their life and admitting that they need help and are burning passionately to attempt to do whatever it takes to recover.
Although not in that order, it is this way of thinking or arrival point that is required and it is basically the dropping to one’s knees and letting go and opening up to others help.
It is this arrival point that leads to the most success as opposed to gamblers who know they’ve got a problem but still have a bad attitude, negativity and arrogance or with a big ego that often results in failure and/or a return back to the addiction.
It could be said that someone with these negative views or resistance is on some level or in some way not ready.
This is really not for anyone to judge accept for each individual to allow that process to unfold and turn to someone who offers help in this area.
Treatment begins with the absolute recognition of the problem and the total acceptance that the gambler has a problem and wants a new life away from it.
The joining a group such as gamblers anonymous is essential whether you like it or not as it puts you in the same place as others who will give you feedback, guidance and help.
Individual psychotherapy, one-to-one private consultations with a qualified psychotherapist or group psychotherapy is one option.
Cognitive behavioural psychology using cognitive approaches is very popular and successful.
Curative hypnotherapy is one of the most successful treatments available because it aims to seek out the causes of the addiction and severe the root cause of the unconscious programs that are working beneath the addiction.
Drug medication treatments are also available however Open College UK Ltd does not advise or recommend pharmaceutical products or medication. Please consult your GP on matters related to medication.
Ideally working with qualified professionals to help with the root causes is the number one path to travel and to unravel and delete the underlying psychological and emotional material which is the structure of the gambling addiction.
Substitution for practices or addictions is best avoided for example religion can often take the place of gambling or even alcoholism BUT doesn’t solve the causes or the underlying substrata which drives the gambling behaviour and the needs that are at work.
If you’re an addicted gambler and you need help contact gamblers anonymous for a start.
Alternatively e-mail Open College UK Ltd off this website for a qualified therapist contact who will work with the underlying causes which are driving you to gamble!
Success in recovery can be 100%!
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