Gaming addiction as a socio-psychological phenomenon
The development of modern technologies and the accessibility of gambling for the public lead to the emergence of new gaming addictions.
Recently, the problem of gambling addiction (ludomania) has acquired exceptional importance due to the widespread distribution of cash gaming machines, the opening of numerous casinos, as well as betting offices (including online).
Gaming addiction has developmental stages: the winning stage, the losing stage, the reckless stage, and the stage of despair.
Ludomania has a powerful psychobiochemical basis, which means that self-treatment is practically impossible. As a rule, a gambler begins to realize the addiction problem only at the fourth stage of the disease (the stage of despair).
In the Republic of Belarus, the rights and obligations of players and organizers of gambling games are defined by legislation. A mechanism for self-restriction of individuals from visiting gambling establishments has been introduced. Furthermore, if an individual, due to participation in gambling games, places themselves and/or their family in a difficult financial situation, they may be restricted from visiting gambling establishments, virtual gambling establishments, and participating in gambling games by court order.
Psychotherapy is the main method in the treatment of addictive conditions. Individuals suffering from pathological attraction to gambling games also have the opportunity to receive psychiatric and psychotherapeutic assistance, including anonymous assistance, at regional healthcare organizations.
In all healthcare organizations of the Republic of Belarus providing psychiatric (narcological) assistance to the population, "helplines" operate, through which round-the-clock advisory assistance is also provided to individuals suffering from pathological attraction to gambling games and their relatives.
Emergency psychological assistance for residents of the Vitebsk Region is available round the clock via the Helpline - 8 0212–61-60-60.