“I fell into games, poker and PMU. I hid it from all my loved ones. I had a feeling of shame. I’m the eldest of the siblings, I’m a father, I didn’t want to talk about it… When I came to rugby, I didn’t think about that. But once outside, I locked myself in.” This strong testimony is shared by Jérôme Bosviel, US Montauban player, to our colleagues at La Dépêche du Midi And Olympic noon.
An addiction that pushes him to steal money
Suffering from such a strong addiction, the rugby player ends up “borrowing” money from the players’ association fund, created to “finance moments of conviviality”.
In possession of the account’s bank card, he used it to gamble. “I knew it wasn’t right but it was stronger than me, always with this idea of repaying what I took. (…) I wrote down everything I took in a notebook so that I could then replenish the account” he justifies himself.
But overwhelmed by guilt, he ended up confessing everything to his teammates. “On the Monday of the resumption, there was a meeting with the whole group. I told them for the first time what I had done. At the time, it obviously takes a toll, but it was necessary. Some people were angry with me and still are angry with me. I am aware that I have disappointed them.”he explained.
Before specifying: “I repaid more than the amounts borrowed.” Today, he wants to move forward: “Now I only want to do one thing: play rugby.”
The often invisible spiral of gaming addiction
The story of Jérôme Bosviel illustrates a phenomenon well known to specialists. According to Dr Philippe Arvers, addictologist interviewed by True Medicalgambling addiction is a real scourge.
“Those affected may not immediately notice the problem, but the amount of money played each day or week can be a clue. Usually it increases quickly.”
It all starts from the reward circuit in the brain. “Play will activate the brain’s reward circuit. And sometimes, it gets out of hand, for certain individuals. At that point, this circuit always demands more and the amount played does not become sufficient. So the player increases his bet, because he hopes to increase the reward.”.
Additional problem: over time, tolerance builds in the brain and the same amount won no longer produces the same effects. “At that point, addiction sets in. The player plays more, he needs to win more“explains the doctor again.
The pleasure of the game becomes a need, the player falls into addiction.
Relatives are rarely informed
Like Jérôme Bosviel, addiction hides for a long time in silence or lies. And relatives are rarely aware. “Very often, the spouse discovers the problem by chance when there is a joint account.” confirms Dr. Arvers.
In addition, the player, convinced that he “is going to get better” enters an endless circle.
“The addicted person thinks that the more they play, the more likely they are to win. At first, it’s a honeymoon phase: she plays, she wins. Then finally, she loses everything. And that’s when the process begins.“. With consequences that can be dramatic: debts, bailiffs, banking ban…
How to get out of it: tips from the addictologist
But why do some people play daily, without falling into addiction? “As with other addictions, we are not all equal when it comes to gambling. In some people, moderate consumption can continue over time, without any problem.“, specifies Dr. Arvers.
If you think you may be affected by the problem, the first step is to consult a doctor. “The first step is an interview at the Addiction Care, Support and Prevention Center (CSAPA). But the delays are long, you have to wait between 6 months and a year to get a first appointment.
Speaking, one of the only remedies for this disorder
During this first contact, the doctor questions the patient to try to detect signs of withdrawal, the frequency with which he plays, etc.
“Players are advised to avoid risky situations, reduce their gambling frequency and the amounts played, but also to obtain support from those close to them. Without forgetting to uninstall all online gaming applications, credit cards registered on sports betting sites…” lists the addictologist.
Awareness also sometimes comes through a confrontation with reality. “To make them aware, you have to talk to them about their expenses. Have them keep a logbook of their gaming expenses and show them what they lost over 6 months, for example, and what they gained. They then realize that they have earned very little compared to the expenses incurred. This also helps them understand that by playing half as much, they would have won half as much, but above all they would have lost half as much.”
These exchanges are crucial, because on the treatment side, the process relies mainly on words. “The treatment of these patients will be through cognitive and behavioral therapy (CBT). Associations also offer support groups to help patients. But there is no really recommended drug treatment” concludes the addictologist.