Gambling Addiction

What is Gambling Addiction?

Gambling addiction, also known as compulsive gambling or problem gambling, is an impulse-control disorder that affects individuals from all backgrounds. What was at first a fun activity now spirals out into a serious obsession: sports bets, poker, and online gambling. This causes strained relationships and financial problems.

For many compulsive gamblers, it is impossible to stop even when complications arise from gambling. Problem gambling interferes with life, is preoccupied with the drive to gamble, chasing losses, and with neglect of responsibilities.

The American Psychiatric Association now recognizes gambling disorder as the sole behavioral addiction within the DSM-5, alongside symptoms resembling substance use disorders.

When does Gambling become a problem?

Gambling becomes a problem when it interferes with daily life. Especially when one experiences difficulty in attempting to stop or cut back on gambling and going overboard with the budget one has. Compulsive gambling can have devastating effects on one’s health, both physical and mental, job performance, finances, and personal relationships.

However, not all gamblers become addicted. For those who do, consequences such as bankruptcy, loss of employment, and even dysfunctional relationships are common results of a lack of control over their behavior.

The impact of gambling addiction reaches not only that person but also the family and friends. Being able to recognize the behaviors that cross the threshold from recreational gambling into problem gambling is important to recovery.

Symptoms and Causes

What are the Signs of Gambling addiction?

Following are the common signs that indicate that a person has a problem with gambling:

• Often thinking about gambling.
• Needing to gamble more money to get the same level of excitement.
• Repeated, unsuccessful efforts to cut down or stop gambling.
• Restlessness or irritability when trying to cut back.
• Using gambling as an escape from stress or unpleasant feelings.
• Chasing losses by gambling to recover money lost.
• Borrowing money because of gambling losses.
• Downplaying or lying about gambling behaviors to loved ones.
• Continue betting more and more despite losses, relationship problems, and other personal issues.

What are the Symptoms of Gambling addiction?

Symptoms of gambling addiction include the following:

• The need to secretly keep one’s gambling activities.
• Preoccupation with plans and money for gambling.
• Needing to gamble with increasing money to reach the desired excitement level.
• Not being able to cut down while attempting to do so.
• Restlessness or irritability when trying to cut down on gambling.
• Using gambling as an escape from feelings of guilt, anxiety, or depression.
• A chase – gambling more to recover losses.
• Lying to family and friends about the extent of gambling.
• Risking important relationships or opportunities over gambling.
• Borrowing money from others to compensate for losses or continue gambling.

Many of the casual gamblers set limits, while the problem gambler finds it increasingly hard to be able to control their gambling, which leads to serious consequences.

How much gambling is too much?

Determining how much gambling is “too much” depends on how much gambling affects your life. If gambling reaches a point where it begins to interfere with relationships, work performance, mental health, or financial security, it may become an addiction.

Come to think of it:

• Do you ever feel the need to gamble when you can’t afford it?
• Are you neglecting your responsibilities for gambling?
• Have you ever felt guilty or ashamed about your gambling?

If you answer “yes” to these questions, it is likely time for intervention.

What causes Gambling addiction?

Some of the causes of gambling addiction include:

• Biological Reward System: Gambling affects the brain because it releases a chemical called dopamine. Therefore, it produces a pattern of behavior of deriving pleasure in gambling at the expense of better activities.
• Genetics: It may be that a family history of gambling disorder raises vulnerability, and therefore, there is a genetic contribution.
• Personality: Impulsivity, sensation-seeking, and impaired decision-making may increase vulnerability to pathological gambling.

Risk Factors

Many factors can be precipitating or influencing a gambling disorder, including the following:

• Mental Health Problems: Anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders are commonly comorbid with higher rates of gambling problems.
• Age and Gender: Problem gambler populations are usually dominated by young and middle-aged people, especially with men.
• Social Influence: The risk is greater when the person has a family or social setting in which gambling is viewed as normal behavior.
• Personality Characteristics: Some personality traits – for instance, competitiveness and restlessness – could make a person more vulnerable to becoming a compulsive gambler.

These are causes that, when realized, may help an individual understand their vulnerabilities and seek support.

What is the main cause of Gambling addiction?

Gambling addiction stems from an imbalance in the brain’s reward system. The brain, upon gambling, releases dopamine – a type of “feel-good” chemical that evokes pleasure. Over time, the brain requires higher dosages to feel satisfied with gambling. And due to this very reason, it becomes compulsive. Genetic history, other concurrent diseases, and environmental factors increase the vulnerabilities to the risks of gambling addiction.

What are the effects of Gambling addiction?

Gambling addiction has overwhelming effects on different aspects of life. Here it is, with the breakdown:

Physical Changes

Compulsive gambling can be associated with physical neglect, sleep deprivation, and other health problems.

Mental Health Issues

Individuals can feel extremely anxious, depressed, or guilty about their gambling. People who are called compulsive gamblers are much more likely to develop mood disorders, OCD, and ADHD.

Social Consequences

• Relationship Problems: Gambling can be extremely damaging to personal relationships, to the extent that an individual may withdraw or even get divorced.
• Financial Problems: Many individuals suffer from severe financial stressors due to their gambling, including:

• Bankruptcy: Taking too much debt leads to bankruptcy, and people are unable to return loans.
• Legal Complications: Due to paying the expenses of gambling addiction, they may start committing crimes, hence bringing legal consequences or imprisonment to them.
• Poor Work Performance: Gambling addiction may result in low productivity and the loss of a job.

Financial Impacts of Gambling Addiction

• Credit Card Debt: Almost 90% of the people suffering from gambling disorders finance their addiction with credit cards. Credit card cash advances come with higher interest rates, so the debt grows exponentially.
• Heavy Debt: It is estimated that as many as 23 million Americans have run into debt due to gambling, at an average loss of around $55,000.
• Lottery Betting Risks: Most of the time, small shares of players provide most of the revenues from the lottery games.
• Sports Betting Risks: More avenues for addiction have been opened by increasing legal sports wagering, with revenues surging since 2018.

What makes a person addicted to Gambling?

Most often, gambling addiction is related to other addictive disorders because it comes from changes in brain chemistry, just like alcohol addiction. As it was mentioned earlier, gambling makes the reward center of the brain start releasing dopamine. This chemical surge creates a cycle of reward-seeking behavior that can lead to compulsive gambling.

Gambling can become especially tempting as an escape from life’s problems or as a way of lessening tension and anxiety. Because gambling is a widely accepted activity in many cultures, it might be harder for vulnerable individuals to believe that their gambling is problematic.

Who is most vulnerable to Gambling addiction?

The groups that are relatively at a higher risk of getting attached to addictive gambling include young adults. Research shows that the early twenties are the growth area for gamblers. A sizeable percentage of adolescents (ages 12-18 years) report involvement in gambling activities.

Gambling disorders are more common among males, although it is thought that differences between genders are decreasing due to increased gambling among females. Young males and boys are most likely to be affected, with 5% of adolescents and young adults developing a gambling disorder.

A history of substance abuse disorders, mood disorders, and other psychiatric disorders can predispose an individual. As many as 96 percent of pathological gamblers have at least one other lifetime psychiatric disorder.

Persons of low-income status may gamble, hoping to change their current financial status, which might predispose them to addiction.

What is the difference between having fun gambling and problem gambling?

While most adults are able to gamble without adverse consequences, for those who develop an addiction, gambling disorder can have serious consequences. Individuals with a gambling addiction may spend their entire savings, compromise relationships, and experience difficulties at work. They might feel guilty or ashamed, and when trying to abstain, they might experience symptoms such as irritability and restlessness.

It is important to understand the line separating healthy gambling from addictive gambling in order to raise awareness and seek help if necessary.

Diagnosis and Tests

How is Gambling addiction diagnosed?

Diagnosis of addiction to gambling is generally made broadly by the health professional, and the patients are usually referred to psychologists or addiction counselors. Diagnosis is based on criteria marked in the DSM-5.

To diagnose a gambling disorder, an individual must show at least four of the criteria listed below for the past year alone:

• The person has frequent thoughts about gambling, such as reliving past gambling experiences or planning future gambling.
• A need to gamble with larger amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement.
• One unsuccessful effort after another to reduce or control gambling.
• Restlessness or irritability when trying to cut down.
• Escape into games as a way to avoid problems or negative emotions.
• Chasing losses by continuing to gamble after losing money.
• Lying about the extent of involvement in gambling.
• Loss of valuable opportunities or relationships as a result of gambling.
• Relying on others for financial assistance due to gambling problems.

It is also recommended to note that fluctuations in symptoms, with periods of less frequent gambling alternating with episodes of heavier activity, occur.

Treatment

What are treatments for Gambling addiction?

Although there are no FDA-approved medications for the treatment of pathological gambling per se, several psychotherapy techniques with a fairly high success rate have already been used.

Various therapeutic approaches for gambling addiction include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): 

This focuses on the changing of negative thought patterns and behaviors that come with gambling. Thus, it equips one with tools on how to handle such urges and consequences of gambling.

• Motivational Interviewing: 

This encourages the individual to consider his ambivalence about change and fosters an awareness of the negative consequences of gambling behavior.

• Psychodynamic Therapy: 

Exploring the unconscious processes that drive gambling, there is increased insight into previous behavior.

• Group Therapies: 

It enables them to change their thinking process by sharing in a group with others and getting motivated by the rest.

• Family Therapy: 

This helps involve the patient’s family members in the treatment process in order to provide a suitable home environment for patients. It further expands the family’s knowledge of the disorder.

How to recover from Gambling Addiction?

Recovery from gambling addiction can be tough, although it is possible with the right support and resources. Unfortunately, only about 10% of those suffering from gambling disorder seek professional treatment, mostly opting to handle the issue themselves. It is very important to involve a mental health professional in the management of the condition.

Suicidal risks are markedly higher among pathological gamblers. Studies have shown that 32% of treatment seekers report suicide ideation, while 17% have made an attempt in their lifetime. The first step in recovering from gambling addiction is to recognize one’s need for help and commit to recovery.

Prevention

How can I prevent Gambling addiction?

Gambling addiction can be prevented by taking active steps that may reduce risk.

• Abstain/Control the Gambling Behavior

Abstain from gambling, or gamble no more frequently or with more money than previously set. Acknowledge when gambling begins to consume your life, and immediately seek help from a health care provider or a professional in mental health services.

• Know Your Family History

Having a family history of substance use disorders or behavioral addictions may put you at higher risk. Discuss how to prevent them with your healthcare provider.

• Positive Stress Management

Life changes are stressful, hence paving the way to a heightened risk of addiction. Engage in healthy ways of dealing with challenges like exercises, meditation, or even hobby activities. In any case, if one finds it difficult to handle stress, seek professional help.

Tips to Prevent Gambling addiction

Here are other tips that will help in preventing gambling addiction:

• Set Clear Limits: Put some limits on time and money to be used on gambling.
• Educate Yourself: Know the chances but also the risks that come with gambling activities.
• Stay Activated: An individual should still engage in meaningful activities that would increase his interaction with others and help his personal growth.
• Identify Triggers: An appreciation of the situations or feelings that provoke urges to gamble and consideration of strategies that might be employed to avoid high-risk situations.

Finding alternatives to gambling

Replacing gambling with healthier behaviors can be an important part of sustaining recovery. Here are some ways this might be achieved:

Outlook / Prognosis

Is there a cure for Gambling addiction?

While there is no complete cure, some people handle gambling addiction issues through treatment and continued support against addiction. It mostly involves a lifetime of commitments, guidance from experts, and the readiness for change. Many manage to live fulfilling lives that are proactive and free from gambling through treatment, involvement with support groups, and learning healthy means of coping with life’s challenges.

Living With

How do I help someone I love who is suffering from Gambling addiction?

You can help someone you love who is suffering from gambling by providing reliable support. Prompt action tends to be very important. Encourage your loved one to seek treatment – whatever that might be: a helpline, a health care provider, Gamblers Anonymous groups.

Set judgment aside and listen. Your family may appreciate feeling understood and supported and may build trust this way. Recovery from gambling addiction is a multifaceted issue. It does not happen overnight; there might be slips along the way.

Extend this further by offering support for yourself, too. If you feel stressed, depressed, or isolated, perhaps you need to seek your own professional support.