Wife blocking the TV
The time has come once again for people to talk football and this year’s NFL Draft. Everyone and anyone who is into football will be discussing whats going on, who’s who and where they went. This is a time when sports addictions rear their ugly heads. Many people think that a sports addiction isn’t a real thing. You are not playing the sport. You are not involved in the actual games, so how can you be addicted? How do you know if you are?
An addiction is anything that you feel you HAVE to do. It becomes a need to watch the games, discuss them and maybe even bet on them. Here are 5 signs that you may have a sports addiction and how to deal with them.
1. Over Attendance
Attending sports events are really fun. The energy of the crowd, getting to see the game live, eating all the delicious food is all fun, but there comes a point where you may be going too much. If you are breaking the bank to go to every game, even for teams you don’t like, you may have an addiction. If you just have to go no matter what, this may be a sign of a problem.
If you think your partner is attending too many games, limit the money you two agree on spending for attendance. Also plan out when you are going and stick to it. This way they have something fun to look forward to, and you don’t have to be worried about excess money being spent.
2. Family? What Family?
If your sports watching is getting in the way of relationships with friends or family, you need to take a step back and really think about things. Is this team, that you are not on and have nothing to do with, really worth losing people over? Yes, we all have our “things” but if your “thing” is spending five hours in front of the television while completely ignoring the promises you made to the people around you, you need to seek out help.
If your partner is ignoring friends and family to watch sports, first you need to bring it up. You need to communicate that they are completely involved in this sport, and they have stopped paying attention to the things that are important. Make a plan and get involved. Tell them you will watch a game with them, if they cut down the time they dedicate to all of the games and do something with the family.
3. Dangerous Mood Changes and Behaviors
It is really easy to get into the game, going through many emotions withing just one. One minute you’re happy, because your team is winning, oh but wait then someone messes up and then, relief everything is okay. But there is a time when the flow of the moods are no longer a natural part of the ups and downs of the game, and they become serious and violent. This year, March 2nd, a crowd rioted and threw flares onto the field at players, because they did not like the call that was made. That is a dangerous and threatening mood change. Being upset at something that happened is completely normal. However, damaging property, getting in fights and taking your mood out on your friends or family is not acceptable behavior. This is a sign of a serious addiction. If you can no longer control yourself, you may need to seek out help before you harm someone.
The safest way to deal with a partner getting violent around you is to remove yourself from the situation. Once the person has calmed down, you need to communicate your fear and possibly discuss seeking help and counseling.
4. Obsessive Betting
Betting on games can be fun. You can even make some money. Betting on games becomes a problem, if you can not afford to do it and if you are doing so illegally. If you are going to back alley bookies, putting your car and house up, you have an addiction. It does not even have to be that drastic though. Just spending all of your money that you have left over, after paying bills and rent can be a sign that you have a addiction to betting on sports.
If you think a person close to you has a gambling problem, take the time to discuss it with them. Limit their spending habits and money available to them.
5. The Void
The biggest sign that you may have an addiction and it is a bad one is your answer to this question; “What would make you happy/fill your time if sports just stopped existing?”
Think about that as long as you like, try and make a list. If you can not even name three things that you would enjoy, if sports just stopped existing, then you have a problem. There has to be other things in your life that fulfill you, either equally or more than sports do.
If you have come to the conclusion that there is nothing else as important, I think it is time to turn off the T.V. and think about some things. Think about what should be important in your life and where this addiction is taking you.
If you or a loved one have a sports gambling addiction, please call or refer them to 1-888-991-6918.
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Julia Parsons is an Analyst for Couch Rider Report. Follow her on Facebook and Follow/Like us on Facebook or twitter.