Cryptocurrency addiction now treated in Scotland facility

File photo / AFP

With the digital age comes addictions in new forms, and now one concerning cryptocurrencies is being recognized.

Castle Craig Hospital in Peeblesshire, a county in Scotland, has opened a program to help “crypto addicts” in its facility, which provides treatments for addictions to alcohol, drugs and gambling, reports Sky News.

The high risk and high rewards that come with cryptocurrency trading can give excitement akin to the experience of gambling, explained the hospital’s gambling therapist Chris Burn.

According to Castle Craig’s website, “cryptocurrency addiction is a behavioral addiction, similar to gambling addiction, and disrupts or damages personal, family relationships and recreational pursuits.”

A list of 10 questions is available on the site for individuals to determine if they have an addiction to cryptocurrency trading; answering yes to any three questions points to an addiction.

These include: “Do I become restless or irritable if I try to cut down my screen time related to cryptocurrency?”, “Do I jump on the computer and start trading in cryptocurrency to escape from life’s problems or to try to elevate my mood?” and “Do I carry on trading in cryptocurrency after losing money – to try to gain it back?”

Tony Marini, who will head some of the treatments, claimed that “cryptocurrency trading as a way for people to escape from themselves, into another world, because they don’t like the world they’re in.”

He said he understands addicts’ situation as he was also once a gambling and cocaine junkie himself. Group therapy, which involves sharing of life stories, will be the first step in the process for addicts to “realize that they’re not alone.”  Niña V. Guno /ra

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