Author: jackmartin

It starts off with a $10-20 bet, where you may even win $1000, and then everything gets back very quickly. Taking high risks is a part of human nature. We love doing extreme sports, hitchhiking, or walking deep in the forest.

We are not aware of what is the real cause of the addiction. It is the dopamine rush. Dopamine is a chemical produced by the hypothalamus, a small area of the brain that helps you feel good. It activates the same pleasurable reward pathways in our brains as eating tasty food, listening to good music, having sex, or betting at online casino sites like https://777pokies.casino/no-deposit-bonus/. Dopamine increases while you are getting closer to a potential win.

Nowadays, problem gambling affects as many as 1% of the population.

Who is having a gambling problem?

Extreme gambling is considered a disorder by the World Health Organization.

Yes, it is ok to place a minimum bet and quit playing after the first loss. But this could get out of hand real fast — when gambling disrupts your daily life.

In 2016, the Gambling Commission suggested problem gamblers were:

• Five times more likely to be men than women;
• More likely to be unemployed people;
• More likely to be from minority groups like black players than white or Asian users;
• Most likely to be aged 25 to 34;
• More likely having mental health issues;
• More likely to indicate signs of wellbeing.

The warning signs of gambling addiction are feelings of stress or anxiety while playing and afterwards too, betting more than players afford to lose, and gambling until feeling the same “high” as before.

Why do people become addicted?

Online gambling addiction resembles alcohol or drug abuse. These additions cause real problems when they become compulsive. The habits flow from two different reward pathways in our brain — liking and wanting.

Liking is a spontaneous thrill of doing something pleasant (e.g. eating a lemon pie). Wanting is a desire to do it — eat the pie seen in the grocery store. Wanting strengthens our desire and motivates us to buy it.

Gambling addiction is a rewiring of these reward systems. When people become addicted, liking and wanting systems are no longer intertwined. The wanting remains at the same level while liking decreases gradually.

The addicted man needs to be more engaged in gambling to get the same level of pleasure.

There is one more addictive behaviour factor we should consider. Some people are at a greater risk because their family members suffer from an addiction or players are stressed themselves. Finally, nature plays a significant role: problem gamblers may have lower impulse-control than others who do not suffer from the negative impact of online gambling.

Mobile Gambling

The online gambling industry would not have been one of the biggest in the world if casino games were not on mobile devices. Mobile gambling allows people to stay tuned 24/7, sometimes placing automatic bets. Undoubtedly, technology has made gambling much more available now. A smartphone in hand allows you to make a bet at any time and place. Besides, more and more mobile applications appear in AppStore and Google Play. It’s much handier to play via an app. Plus, casino operators make you turn on the popping notifications like “latest slots”, “best bonus codes”, etc. A person becomes nervous. A player is afraid of missing the chance to win. It is the trick casino operators use to make people gamble more often.

Final Thoughts

Online gambling has gained a sound footing in the 21st century: more and more players suffer from gambling addiction. It happens because of several factors. No doubt, mobile devices have played a role, letting players bet with one click. But we should not underestimate other aspects like an addicted family member or stress.

If you see the first warning signs, do not ignore them. Contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network: 1-800-522-4700.

 

How happy are you with your life when it comes to the activities you have to keep you busy?

If you are all work and no play, it is fair to say life might get a little too boring for you at times.

That said what activities might you want to give a try so you can get more enjoyment out of life beginning now?

Could Video Games Be in Your Near Future?

When you are looking for some activities to spice up your life, here are a few to consider:

1. Video games – Did you play video games back in your days as a child? In the event you did, how much enjoyment did you get from them? Statista.com reports that some 2.7 billion people worldwide play video games on same level. With that in mind, might now be the time you turn to video games for some entertainment? If you have concerns buying video gaming equipment is going to cost you an arm and a leg, put those concerns to rest. You can find top-notch equipment at affordable prices. In doing so, you’re one step closer to becoming a gamer. Items like a gaming mousepad, headset, console and more are all available and not hard to find. You can go online and do some browsing and shopping for all the equipment needs you have. Once you begin playing, you will likely find this activity is fun and a good distraction from the grind.
2. Picking up a sport – Unless your best athletic days are well behind you, how about picking up a sport? Not only can playing sports be fun, it can be great exercise too. That said find a sport you can both be good at and have fun doing in the process. If you want to play it with others in your area, check to see if your community has any recreational team sports. Being in a local league and meeting up with others to play any number of sports can be fun. It can also open the door up to meeting other people.
3. Getting away more often – Has it been so long since you last got away on a trip that you can’t remember when it was? In the event that is true, how about planning something now? Your plan does not necessarily mean you need to be away for a week or more at a time. You may be on a budget and have concerns a longer trip will cost too much time and money. If so, go for something on a little smaller scale. A weekend getaway or even a day trip can prove to be a lot of fun. Not only can you visit somewhere new or go back to a favorite haunt, you get a break. That is from work or whatever else it is that you do on a regular basis.

Having activities in life to make you smile and keep you busy can be easy to come up with.

So, what activity would you like to do next?

 

While you hope to drive for decades and avoid a single auto accident, such mishaps happen to the best of drivers.

With that in mind, how can such an accident disrupt your life driving ahead?

From injuries to financial fallout and more an accident can put send you in reverse.

Be Smart Following an Accident

If you have the unfortunate experience of being in an accident, here are a few things your focus should turn to:

1. Your health – Nothing tops your well-being both physically and emotionally. That said you want to be sure you are okay after an accident involving a vehicle. Even an accident at slow speeds has the potential to cause injuries. With that in mind, be sure you get checked out. Whether medical personnel arrive at the scene or you need to go and get medical help, the goal is to be sure you are okay. Injuries like concussions and those internally not immediately spotted can occur.
2. What happened – Do your best to reconstruct the scene of the accident and what went down. This is especially key if the other driver took off. Yes, hit and run accidents happen all too often. You want to be sure the other individual is held responsible for their actions. If you or one at the scene got a description of the vehicle and especially the license plate, this is a good start. That license plate info can lead you to the Internet. Once you get online, a license plate lookup can take place. This could lead authorities to find the driver. From there, they can hold them accountable for causing the accident in the first place.
3. Review your auto – Another key piece of the puzzle after an auto accident is how your car or truck held up. The hope is if there was any damage it was minimal at worst. This way you can get it fixed without the vehicle tied up in the shop for days or even weeks. In the event the auto is beyond repair, you will have to decide your next move. If the other person in the accident was found to be at fault, you should be okay as it relates to your insurance costs. Having someone else responsible for it can lead you to getting another auto. This would be without paying through the roof for it. The most important thing is being sure you have a vehicle you can count on for safety moving ahead.
4. Driving forward – Finally, even a small accident can cause some stress and anxiety. This would be the next time you get behind the wheel. With that in mind, do your best to put this episode behind you. You’ll need to feel confident again when you drive. As such, don’t let this accident have you worried each time you set out on the road.

In being in an auto accident, make sure you are okay and you can drive ahead from what is an unfortunate experience.

 

If life is getting a little too stressful for you these days, what might you need to dial back some or much of that stress?

One option of course is adding a getaway or two to your life.

In taking some time away on your own, with family, friends and so on, you can relieve stress even if only for a period of time.

With that thought in mind, what kind of getaway might you like?

What Fun is Waiting for You?

In coming up with the right getaway to enjoy more of what life has to offer, here are some ideas to go about it:

1. Don’t let money hold you back – One thing that can oftentimes hold people back when it comes to a getaway would be money. That said is money what keeps you tending to stay home all too often? If this is true, how about going in search of discounts? Whether you look to save on Disneyland ticket prices or other options, know savings are there. You could score more savings when planning or at a getaway depending on your status in life. Being 55 and up, having military service, having one or more small kids with you and more can mean savings. So, start your plans and don’t let money get in the way.
2. Keep work in the background when away – It is important that you avoid letting work get in the way when on a getaway. That thought in mind, are you someone who seems to have trouble divorcing yourself at times from your job? If yes, you can be setting yourself up for problems. It is perfectly fine to put work on the backburner when you are on a getaway. Get as much of the work done as you can before you leave for your adventure. You can always get caught up when you return back home. This is especially key if you have others traveling with you. The last thing you want to do is give them less of your time because you are too caught up with work stuff. Put the focus where it should be on having fun and nothing else.
3. Create memories- Whether back to some familiar haunts or new places, create memories. That said be sure to record your getaways to the best of your abilities. Doing this is rather easy with photos and videos. If you have young children with you on the getaways, recording the moments is key. It will be fun one day to look back on all the adventures you and your children had together when they were young. Always remember that times goes by fast. Before you know it, your young one or ones will be leaving the nest and heading out into the world. Having getaway memories when they were little is something you do not want to miss.

In needing a getaway anytime soon, are you ready to put the plans into motion and think of all the fun waiting for you?

 

In playing video games, one of the key factors to having fun is making sure you have first-rate equipment.

With that idea in mind, have you taken any time lately to go over your equipment? There may be one or more pieces that could use replacing.

When getting the most enjoyment out of gaming, is your equipment passing the test?

Might it Be Time to Get Some New Equipment?

In the event you decide you could use some new pieces of gaming equipment, where will you turn to get them?

One of your best available resources would be the Internet.

That said go online and check out some of the different brands in the gaming business. See what they have to offer for sale via their websites and social media pages.

So, in the event you could use a new mechanical gaming keyboard, look to see what your options are.

When buying a keyboard for gaming, you want one that allows you to move at a rapid pace when typing in commands. You also should look to find an illuminated keyboard. That will help you when playing at night or in conditions where light is not the best.

Your best bet when looking for a keyboard is to do some online research.

See what industry experts recommend when it comes to buying a keyboard. You can also while online check out some consumer reviews of various keyboards. Those reviews too could prove helpful in your search.

Whether a keyboard, headset, console or other equipment, find what will best suit you.

Always Take Care of Your Gaming Equipment

You can buy the best gaming equipment and still need to replace it over time more than you should have to.

So, why is that?

One of the reasons your equipment can fail to pass the test over time is if you do not do a good job of caring for it.

With that in mind, make sure care is a priority for you when it comes to the equipment needed to play.

If you are rough with your equipment, odds are it will wear down faster.

In the event you have young children and/or pets, taking care of your equipment takes on added importance.

That is because your children and/or pets may look at such equipment as toys. If that occurs, your equipment could take a beating over time. Be sure you make it clear to your children that such items are not toys. Although your pet or pets may not understand this, do not tempt them with the equipment in the first place.

Your best bet is to store the equipment somewhere safe when not in use. That will reduce the chances of any equipment and accessories falling victim to a child or pet.

Finally, be sure to clean your equipment on a regular basis.

Given dust, dirt and more can build up; regular cleaning will also help improve odds of it lasting longer.

When you have video gaming equipment passing the test time and time again, you come out the winner.

 

Drug Addiction, drug abuse, are the major health issues nowadays. Every addict wants to get rid of this addiction and desires a sober life. However, there are various challenges individuals have to face during or before initiating the process. The first challenge is to find the best inpatient addiction treatment center near the residence. In California, there are a variety of inpatient addiction rehabs that provide you with the best treatment to get sobriety.

Choosing the right rehab means considering the best treatment programs, ensuring getting sober, and a healthy habit of maintaining your sobriety even after the treatment ends.

This blog helps you to find the best inpatient addiction treatment center in California, you need to follow the following steps while making the decision to get admission in the rehab.

Step 1:

Determine your goals:

First of all, you need to find out the actions and behaviors of yours from which you need to recover, the substance from which you need to detox. In addition, if you have a dual diagnosis, make sure that your mental health and addiction can be treated simultaneously. Furthermore, deciding whether you quit drinking in the first month without an alcoholic substance or in 2 or 3 months, depends on you only.

Step 2:

Consultation:

Once you have found out your condition to recover, the second step is to find the right rehab center and for that, you need to consult with the treatment provider. The treatment providers are the one who knows the best facilities rehab centers offer and those of which your conditions and goals match. With the consultation, it will be easy to choose one right rehab center.

Step 3:

Explore the available rehabs options:

After finding the various rehabs through websites research, recommended by the treatment provider or maybe by some of your friends, you need to investigate the rehab centers on your own. Whether you are looking for a rehab center in Los Angeles or rehabs in San Diego, do your research by calling them to get the information about their treatment programs or go to their websites to get further information about the rehabilitation center.

Step 4:

Important Factors:

After investigation, it is important to consider the following factors before selecting the right rehab center to get admission to.

Inpatient Service:

How do the rehab centers provide the service to the individuals who are residing there for their treatment? Is the staff capable enough to look after those who need special care? What is the success rate of the inpatient treatment?

Specialties:

What kind of addictions treatment your selected rehab center has mastered? Do the rehab centers also double as detox centers, providing alcohol or drug detox to you or your loved one? Since all rehabs centers offer different addiction overcome treatments, is their special treatment match with your condition that needs to recover? What is their outcome rate? Is their treatment getting successful? If yes, what’s the rate? Of course, you prefer rehab centers that have a higher success rate.

Location:

Another most important factor, you need to decide whether you want to get admitted to a drug rehab center near you in California, or far away from your home. Both have different facilities and advantages.

The rehab center near you might be more convenient for you or your family members who want to see you every weekend, however, it has a very low rate of getting successful in overcoming the addiction because your relatives are near you, you might not feel any change and cannot have distance with the toxic circle. That’s why it is preferable to take admission into the rehab center that is far away from your home.

Therapies:

Get the information about the therapies and treatment the rehab centers provide. It is necessary to know about the treatments because you want to get a successful treatment and become sober. You must know whatever Rehab center you are willing to join provide the treatments that match your condition.

Period of the treatment program:

It is important to ask the specialist about the length of the program which is the most effective, most specialists recommend 60 to 90 days treatment programs that have the most effective rates. Many rehab centers offer 30 days courses which they ensure are the most effective and successful. But it totally depends on you and your circumstances i.e., financial, professional, and family.

Fees/Cost:

The majority of treatment seekers select the addiction treatment center according to the cost. It is obvious that the cost of the rehab center is based on the facilities they are providing, and the time period of the treatment program. However, for your ease, you have various options in a row to pay the fees, despite your budget.

These are:

• The Affordable Health Care Act (Obamacare)
• Medicaid and Medicare
• Self- funding
• Loans

Comparison:

Lastly, while finally selecting the right inpatient addiction treatment center you need to compare those rehabs centers you selected, all those facilities, length of the program, success rate, cost, and convenience, and then, select what is the best match for you.

Register:

After choosing the right rehab center for you, read their procedure, terms, and policies, and then get enrolled according to their process.

 

Few things concern homeowners quite like the threat of a fire. Unlike flooding or other forms of water damage, fires can inflict a great deal of damage in a very short time, much of which may render the property beyond repair. In many cases, homeowner’s insurance covers damage related by fire, unless you happen to live in California or any other area that would be described as fire prone. The proliferation of wildfires on an almost yearly basis across California make the purchase of fire insurance a must.

People moving from other states need to be mindful of these aspects before buying various home insurances. A lot of people move from other states like New York to California due to its Mediterranean-like climate. However, they might be unaware of certain aspects of homeownership. For example, if someone is moving from New York to California, they should learn more about the aspects related to fire insurance in the state.

It is also advisable to check the details of movers insurance while moving to California, including fire coverage. Most people would use long-distance movers from NYC, and therefore must check the coverage offered by these moving companies. Anyone moving during the wildfire season should definitely ensure that the movers have coverage for fire in their policy.

Fire insurance is there to cover any and all damage to your home, property, and belongings as the result of a fire. It may also cover extraneous costs such as lodging and food if your property cannot be occupied due to damage and subsequent repair work. Most policies cover the following:

• Dwelling Coverage: This pays to repair or rebuild your home if it is destroyed or damaged beyond repair by fire or smoke.
• Additional Structures Coverage: This portion of your policy covers any other structures on your property, such as freestanding garages or workshops, sheds, and fencing that may be damaged by fire.
• Personal Property Coverage: This pays for the restoration or replacement of clothing, technology (computers, TVs, phones), furniture, and other valuables within the home or adjacent structures that may have been damaged or destroyed by fire or smoke.
• Additional Living Expense Coverage: This covers any and all of the expenses that may be incurred while your property is being restored and you are unable to live in or occupy your property for a time.

How Severe Are California Wildfires?

Wildfires across the state of California have been a near constant presence over the last five years, with eight of the state’s ten largest fires occurring during that time period, according to data provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protections. Wildfires during this period have burned a little over 4% California’s total land mass, an area roughly the size of the state of Connecticut.

In addition, the 2020-2021 drought has been especially severe, with very dry winters follows by extreme summer heat and arid conditions, leaving soil and vegetation parched across many areas of the state, and setting the stage for fires that are increasingly resistant to suppression tactics.

These massive wildfires are making it more difficult for some California homeowners to acquire property insurance, as many private insurance providers will not sell policies to folks who live in areas prone to wildfires. The reason is simple…the risk is simply too great. State law then requires these companies to pool their money in order to provide coverage for those who are unable to purchase policies where they live. This is the California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plan (FAIR), which only sells separate fire insurance policies for things such as liability.

Who Is Eligible (And Not Eligible) For California’s FAIR Plan?

The FAIR plan is offered and open to all owner and tenant occupied buildings, condominiums, seasonal homes, and rental properties.

The FAIR plan does not cover properties that are unoccupied for 50% of the year. It also does not cover properties with pre-existing damages that have not been repaired, or any property that has been tied to illegal activity according to state and federal statutes.

When Should You Consider Adding More Fire Insurance Coverage?

As with any insurance policy, there are often additional considerations to examine when obtaining coverage which may require extra steps to be taken in order to be fully protected.

• Older Homes: If you own and older property, you might consider adding building codes coverage, as codes change over time, and this would cover the cost of ensuring that your property complies with new building codes in the event of a fire.
• Customized Homes: If you have done significant customization work on your home, or if it is comprised of rare features that would be difficult or expensive to repair or replace, you have the option of extended replacement cost coverage. Fires can often raise the cost of rebuilding a home beyond the policy limits.
• Expensive Personal Items: If you have personal items that may exceed policy limits, such as expensive phones, computers or camping equipment, you have the option of extending private property coverage.

Why You Do Not Want to Get Caught Without Insurance

As we mentioned, in some areas where the fire risk is higher, your homeowners’ insurance policy might not cover fires. This is commonly found in areas where wildfires may occur or have occurred, as well as canyons and other geographic locales where wind can whip up small fires into large ones, or areas that are not readily serviced by a fire department. With all this in mind, it is important to examine your policy, ask a lot of questions, and make sure you have the necessary coverage in place to ensure that you are protected should the unthinkable happen.

Insurance is often thought of as something that we put a lot of money into but never see any result from. Well, the result is found in the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your property and possessions are covered in the event of a disaster or other unforeseen event. Property damage from fire or flooding can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars, more than the average person is able or prepared to pay. Similarly, damage to your vehicles can be quite expensive. By making sure your policies cover all contingencies, you are ready even if your property quite literally goes up in flames.

You even have the option of purchasing moving insurance for those local or long-distance relocations. While most moving companies are bonded and insured, purchasing your own policy is an innovative idea as it supplements that coverage and fully covers damage or loss of belongings to a much greater degree.

Summing It All Up

With all signs pointing towards an increase in the frequency and severity of wildfires in California, it is strongly encouraged that you make sure your policy provides sufficient coverage for all of the potential problems you may experience as a result of damage from wildfires or other similar disasters.