As lottery jackpots rise, more people may feel pressured to buy lottery tickets; this behavior could potentially harm individuals as well as their families’ health.

Lotterie addiction is a real and present danger that affects individuals of all ages. If you or someone close to you has developed an addiction, treatment should be sought immediately – the only way to end its harmful consequences.

Symptoms

Attracting most people to jackpot games is their promise of a life-altering fortune; these games often boast multimillion-dollar prizes. While a healthy gambler may feel drawn towards these games, compulsive playing becomes problematic when it becomes compulsive; compulsive gambling leads to lack of self-control as the main symptom of jackpot addiction; also known as The Sunk Cost Fallacy which occurs when someone invests resources that will eventually be wasted away.

Causes

Gambling can provide people with social, entertainment and financial benefits; but when someone becomes addicted to the idea of winning big jackpots it can lead to serious problems. Many compulsive gamblers believe they will hit it big at some point – leading them to keep gambling long past when it would otherwise have stopped; the psychological explanation for this phenomenon is the Sunk Cost Fallacy whereby they rationalize further investment even though their money has already been put in.

Cognitive behavioral therapy treatments have proven successful against addictions, including jackpot addiction. Sternlicht advises establishing boundaries with loved ones who gamble, ceasing enabling behaviors like paying bills or lending money and adopting healthy practices such as getting enough rest and eating well.

Treatment

Gambling can be both enjoyable and profitable, yet it can easily turn into an addiction that takes control of an individual’s life. Addicts tend to keep their activities hidden from others and often keep secrets and lies that negatively affect family, friends, work and health. No matter how much money or time is lost through gambling, they continue their habit no matter the consequences or negative health outcomes it causes them.

Compulsion to gamble around jackpots is fuelled by an incorrect belief that, with enough playing, they will eventually hit it big and win big sums of money. This type of flawed logic, known as The Sunk Coast Fallacy, means the gambler thinks they can recoup past losses by investing more into activities they should abandon altogether.

Compulsive gambling can be treated effectively through cognitive behavioral therapy sessions, with sessions designed to identify thought processes which drive it. At these sessions, addicts learn new healthy habits.

Prevention

Lotteries such as Powerball, Mega Millions or scratch-off tickets provide Americans with enjoyable pastimes from time to time; but for others they may become addictive behaviors. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy sessions with a mental health professional may help break this cycle and restore healthy lifestyles and financial security; meantime be wary of state lotteries to avoid jackpot mania!