In the busy city, Zhang Wei is one of many faces. As a middle-aged man in his forties, he has an ordinary and stable life: a warm little home, a good job, and a family that loves him. However, Zhang Wei's life unconsciously took a subtle turn that was initially neither noticeable nor worrisome.
It all started with a weekend of leisure. Zhang Wei and his friends got together, and in order to kill time, they started playing poker. Initially, it was just a simple form of entertainment, and Zhang Wei only participated occasionally. But over time, gambling gradually became an integral part of his life. At first, he just gambled with friends on the weekends, but soon, the activities became more frequent and even began to affect his daily life.
Zhang Wei's wife began to notice that he was returning late more often, and they were arguing more and more over money. His children were also aware of the tension in the house, but could not comprehend what was happening. At work, the focus and efficiency that Zhang Wei had previously praised with his colleagues began to fade, and he became more and more immersed in last night's game and the next gamble.
All these changes, Zhang Wei himself was puzzled. He began to ask himself why an activity that started out as a recreational activity now made him feel overwhelmedWas he just lacking self-control, or was there something deeper about it?
Zhang Wei's dependence on gambling has deepened. Initially, he only participated in small gambling in his leisure time on the weekends, but gradually, he began to look for more opportunities and higher stakes to get the excitement of that moment. He began to run away from family gatherings and even sneaked into the casino on weeknights. Gambling became an integral part of his life, as if only in front of that green table could he find true passion and release.
Zhang Wei's wife, Li Jing, noticed the changes. At first, she thought that Zhang Wei was only relaxing occasionally, but gradually, she found that he came home later and later, often immersed in his own world, and paid less and less attention to his family. Conversations between them also became less and less frequent, and when she tried to ask questions, Zhang Wei was always evasive or angry. She was confused and helpless, not knowing how to help her husband or why he had become the way he was.
At work, Zhang Wei's performance also began to suffer. He was often exhausted and unable to concentrate, and even several important meetings were forced to be postponed due to his absence。His colleagues began to whisper, curious and worried about his changes. Zhang Wei was aware of these problems himself, but he couldn't control his craving for gambling. Every time he made up his mind to change, the irresistible urge returned, drawing him back to the table.
Gambling debts begin to accumulate. Zhang Wei began to borrow money secretly, and even secretly used his family's savings to pay for gambling debts. His actions become more secretive and deceitful, but the guilt and helplessness in his heart grows stronger. He felt himself caught in a vortex from which he could not escape, each defeat made him more desperate, but at the same time, he could not resist the temporary pleasure of gambling.
Finally, at a family gathering, Zhang Wei's problems were exposed. When Li Jing accidentally discovers Zhang Wei's hidden gambling debt bill, everything becomes clear. Tension in the family reached its peak. Li Jing feels betrayed, angry, sad, and worried about the future of her family. After a fierce quarrel, Zhang Wei felt unprecedented despair. He began to realize that his behavior was not just a pastime, but a serious problem that required professional help.
At the insistence of his family, Zhang Wei finally agreed to see a psychiatrist. As he sat in the doctor's office, he felt both scared and expectant. He is about to uncover the truth about the problems that have plagued him for a long time, and perhaps this is the first step for him to regain his life.
As Zhang Wei gradually learned more about his gambling behavior, he began to realize that it was not just a matter of simple hobby. In the doctor's office, sitting in that heavy chair, Zhang Wei heard the term "gambling addiction" for the first time. The doctor, a gentle but serious middle-aged woman, patiently explainedGambling addiction is a mental illness that shares a neurobiological basis similar to drug or alcohol addiction.
Zhang Wei listened to the doctor explain in detail how gambling affects the brain's reward system, leading to impulse control disorders and weakened decision-making ability. Whenever Zhang Wei makes a bet, his brain releases dopamine, a "pleasure chemical" that makes him feel high and happy, but the sensation is short-lived, followed by deeper emptiness and anxiety. The doctor also mentioned some surprising data: according to research, the brain structure and chemical balance of gambling addicts may change, which makes it more difficult to get rid of addiction.
Over the next few weeks, Zhang Wei began his ** journey. In addition to regular counseling, he took a Cognitive-Behavioral** (CBT) course to learn how to identify and change harmful thought patterns. Zhang Wei learns that gambling addiction is not just about winning or losing money, but also about the pursuit of a sense of control and escapism.
*The process was not all smooth sailing. Zhang Wei has experienced several **, each time accompanied by great guilt and family disappointment. But over time, he learned how to deal with it, finding healthy alternatives to gambling to deal with stress and anxiety, such as playing outdoor sports and spending more time with his family.
In the final stages of **,Zhang Wei also tried some medications** to help regulate his mood and impulse control. These medications, not ***, but they provide him with extra support and help him stay stable during tough days.
Eventually, as Zhang Wei's understanding of his gambling addiction deepened, he not only began to ** himself, but also rebuilt his relationship with his family. His wife and children began to see a more responsible and family-oriented Zhang Wei. The time they spend together becomes more meaningful, and the family atmosphere becomes more warm and harmonious as a result.