health
Young Gamblers Increasingly Knock on Loan Sharks' Doors
It is often stated in the media that our country is second in Europe in terms of the number of casinos and betting shops. The Special Hospital for Addictive Diseases, known as 'Drajzerova,' confirmed this data for our newspaper, emphasizing that such statistics are not based on the mere number of establishments, but on the number of registered betting shops and casinos in relation to the population. Viewed this way, our country is at the very top.
TL;DR
- Serbia ranks high in Europe for gambling establishments per capita.
- A significant number of people struggle with gambling addiction, but many do not seek help.
- Underage individuals are accessing gambling facilities, often exposed to gambling at home from a young age.
- Young gamblers are increasingly turning to loan sharks to cover their debts, a dangerous and potentially inescapable situation.
- Gambling addiction is a chronic brain disease, similar to chemical dependencies, requiring long-term treatment and management.
- Early exposure to gambling, accessibility, and modern technology contribute to the rise of addiction.
- Symptoms of addiction include neglecting other activities in favor of gambling.
- Treatment is challenging and long-term but successful if the individual commits to it with family support.