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| Illustration of Online Gambling (Photo: Wildan Humas)) |
The increasing prevalence of online gambling in Indonesia is a growing concern among the public. It's not just adults; even teenagers are getting involved in online gambling. Apart from financial losses, online gambling tends to create addiction. Diana Savitri Hidayati, S.Psi., M.Psi., a Psychology lecturer at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM), stated that excessive involvement, especially leading to addiction, is abnormal and signifies a disorder.
When someone becomes addicted to something, they feel uncomfortable if they don't engage in it, even for just a day. "Initially, it started as an experiment out of curiosity, but it went too far because self-control didn't work. Someone who is addicted undoubtedly has immature emotions. This leads to irrational beliefs or illogical thoughts that drive such behaviour," stated Didi, her nickname.
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An example of irrational beliefs in the case of online gambling is when someone believes they'll win if they play one more time. This thought persists and, unknowingly, makes the player addicted. They would go to great lengths to acquire money for gambling.
In psychology, treating addiction often involves Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT integrates cognitive therapy with behavioral therapy. Firstly, the cognitive aspect is addressed through discussions.
"So, irrational beliefs like 'if I try one more time, I'll surely win' need correction. Logically, the online gambling system won't favour the player with a win while also needing money," she explained.
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Secondly, behavioural modifications are made to stop gambling. Since online gambling is closely linked to the internet and gadgets, a solution could involve reducing gadgets and internet usage. However, this therapy can only progress if the person is willing to change.
The individual needs to acknowledge the need for external help before a psychologist can assist in breaking free from the addiction. It might seem simple, but it requires collaboration between the person seeking therapy, the psychologist, and close relatives.
"I strongly advise against ever trying online gambling, regardless of curiosity. Especially because we don't know how much self-control we'll have later," she recommended.
Didi hopes that individuals involved in online gambling can stop, no matter how they do it. The ones affected are not only themselves but also those around them. "If they're a father, they won't be able to play a good paternal role because they're too focused on gambling," she concluded. (*dev/wil/fajr)
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