Gambling Addiction

ByBold Gambler

Gambling is enjoyed by millions of people around the world. For most who choose to enjoy a wager, it never becomes more than an enjoyable hobby. However, some people may find that they cannot control their gambling habits. When gambling goes beyond harmless fun and begins creating serious problems in someone’s life, they may be showing signs of gambling addiction. Gambling addiction is classed as a mental health condition. It has similarities to other addictions, such as a chemical drug addiction, and other impulse-control disorders, such as pyromania or kleptomania.

In all of these cases, the person with the addiction cannot stop their behavior even when they realize it is hurting themselves or their loved ones. It is important to remember that not everyone suffering from gambling addiction will experience the same symptoms or level of intensity.

Types of Problem Gambling

A few of the most common types of gambling addiction are as follows:

  • Compulsive Gambling (Pathological Gambling): This occurs when someone is simply unable to control their desire to gamble. A compulsive gambler will continue to play whether they win or lose, regardless of the consequences. They will also look for opportunities to make bets and wagers even when they already know they cannot afford to lose. This is also known as pathological gambling.
  • Binge Gambling: This is when someone exhibits compulsive gambling symptoms, but only at certain times or during certain periods. A binge gambler may appear to be in control of their problem most of the time. They might go weeks or months without exhibiting any signs of having a gambling addiction, but their compulsive gambling behaviors will reveal themselves when they start betting, even if it’s only rarely.
  • Problem Gambling: This occurs when someone is not addicted to the point of compulsion, but their habits are not entirely under their control. A problem gambler will have some sort of gambling behavior which is disturbing their normal life. They might find themselves chasing losses or lying to loved ones about their betting habits. They come to realize that they cannot stop themselves from gambling more and more often.

Signs of Gambling Addiction in Adults

The latest diagnosis criteria (2018) for compulsive gambling disorder by the American Psychiatric Association is based on at least four of the following signs being present in someone within the past year. These symptoms should not be considered if they are the result of a separate mental health condition:

  1. Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired excitement.
  2. Being restless or irritable when trying to cut down or stop gambling.
  3. Having repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back on, or stop gambling.
  4. Frequently thinking about gambling (such as reliving past gambling experiences, planning the next gambling venture, or thinking of ways to get money to gamble).
  5. Often gambling when feeling distressed such as when depressed, guilty, anxious, or helpless.
  6. After losing money gambling, often returning to get even (referred to as ‘chasing your losses’).
  7. Lying to conceal gambling activity or losses/damages caused by gambling.
  8. Jeopardizing or losing a significant relationship, job or educational/career opportunity because of gambling.
  9. Relying on others to help with money problems caused by gambling.

A trained physician must do a complete evaluation to check that another medical condition is not the cause of these behaviors. Furthermore, consulting a professional is important to accurately diagnose and rule out other mental health conditions, as individuals with gambling addictions tend to have higher rates of other disorders such as substance use disorders, depressive disorders, and anxiety disorders.

What Causes Gambling Addiction?

Nobody knows the exact cause of gambling addiction, but many factors can be involved. Other factors to take into account include mental health conditions (such as substance use disorder), the age gambling starts, and how big the first wins are.

Biological Factors

One of the major causes of problem gambling is biological in nature, as some aspects of compulsive gambling are like those in other addictions. Brain imaging has shown that a gambling win can produce a neurological response similar to when someone with a cocaine addiction receives a dose of the drug. Deficiencies in norepinephrine (a chemical linked to stress and dangerous situations) and serotonin (a chemical linked to happiness and wellbeing) have also been related to compulsive behaviors. Genetic studies have even found risk factors which mean people may be genetically predisposed to develop impulse or addiction disorders.

Psychological Factors

The way an individual thinks about gambling may have a role in whether that person develops a problem. Many believe that the Gambler’s fallacy provides a seemingly logical rationalization for compulsive behavior. The Gambler’s fallacy is the belief that a series of independent events will affect the odds of future independent events. This fallacy can provide additional motivation for a compulsive gambler to chase losses, believing that their luck must change soon.

Individuals with gambling addictions often have distorted thinking. Examples include being in denial about the severity of their gambling habits, having superstitions, minimizing losses, and being overly confident about the outcome of future events. Furthermore, fast-paced games (like a slot machine with rapid bet placement) might be more attractive to those with a problem than a lottery that can only be played once per day.

Social Factors and Co-morbidity

Stress, or difficulties in one’s personal or professional life, may trigger behavior in someone with a gambling problem. Gambling dependency and addiction may also be heightened in times of social isolation or when someone cannot leave the house. Relationships have also been found between gambling problems and depression, distress, loneliness, life events, and low social support from friends. Gambling addiction tends to run in families.

Those who have addictions to alcohol or drugs have shown increased vulnerability to compulsive gambling. Several psychological disorders have also been identified as risk factors (co-morbidity) for gambling addictions, including personality disorders, depressive disorders, and anxiety disorders.

Negative Effects of Gambling

The negative effects of gambling can be devastating.

  • Finances: Constant betting can lead individuals into severe financial trouble. This can result in large debts, poverty due to the strain from the costs of gambling, the loss of a home, or even complete bankruptcy. Financial problems can even lead to legal issues, as some compulsive gamblers will resort to theft or other means in order to finance their habit.
  • Mental Health: The mental strain is a significant negative effect. The actions taken as a result of the disorder can cause rifts in important relationships or jeopardize a person’s career. Compulsive gambling can also lead to depression or even suicide. Many other conditions are linked to a gambling addiction.
  • Relationships: A gambling addiction can have repercussions on the people closest to the addict. Families of those suffering from this type of behavior are statistically more likely to experience child abuse or other forms of domestic violence. Even children who do not directly suffer from their parents’ problem gambling may later develop issues such as depression, substance abuse, or behavioral problems.

Treatment Options

There is no single treatment that is considered as the standard way to treat gambling addiction.

  • Therapy and Counselling: The most effective component to treating a gambling problem appears to be psychotherapy. With the help of a trained professional, counseling has a relatively high success rate in improving problem behaviors. This approach is often successful because many individuals who have a gambling addiction often have another psychiatric problem, allowing a psychologist or psychiatrist to help with related mental health issues.
  • Medical Treatment: While no medications have been specifically designed to treat gambling addiction, some have shown promise in reducing the urge to wager, or the feelings of excitement that come while betting. These include antidepressants, anti-seizure medications, medications used to address other addictions, and certain SSRIs.
  • Group Support and Self-Help: Gamblers Anonymous (GA) is an important resource. In conjunction with psychotherapy, GA has been found to help many of those recovering by allowing them to talk about their challenges and experiences with others who have gone through similar situations.

Helping a Loved One with a Gambling Addiction

It can sometimes be difficult to tell if a loved one has a gambling problem. Initial signs that something could be wrong include if someone starts clearly lying about their gambling, is letting relationships with you or others deteriorate in order to wager more, begins to state or suggest that they might have a gambling problem, has started borrowing money regularly or taking money/selling items, is spending more and more time gambling, or spends money gambling despite unpaid bills or lack of necessities like food.

Once you realize a friend or relative has a problem, it is important not to be seen as judgmental or threatening to the person. Family and friends must be supportive, educate themselves, ensure they are not enabling the gambler, and participate in the treatment process as appropriate.

“Dos” and “Don’ts” for Partners, Friends, or Family Members:

DoDon’t
Seek the support of others with similar problems; attend a self-help group for families such as Gam-Anon.Bailout the gambler.
Recognize your partner’s good qualities.Treat the gambler as someone who is immoral or not an equal member of society.
Remain calm when speaking to the person with a gambling disorder.Preach, lecture, or allow yourself to lose control of your anger.
Let them know that you are seeking help for yourself; the gambling is affecting you (and possibly children).Exclude the gambler from family life and activities.
Set boundaries in managing money; take control of family finances; review bank and credit card statements.Expect immediate recovery, or that all problems will be resolved when the gambling stops.
Understand the need for treatment for problem gambling and that it may take time.

It is often counterproductive to pay off the debts of someone with gambling problems, as this allows them to feel they have a safety net, potentially causing them to place yet more bets. Instead, you might help them find financial counseling or other services.

An intervention is one method often used, where family and/or close friends confront the compulsive gambler to voice their concern. The tone should be positive, loving, and concerned, never confrontational or heated. Seeking guidance and support from a professional interventionist is suggested.

Gambling Addiction Resources Separated by Country

If you or someone you know may have a gambling addiction, there are plenty of resources available to those seeking help. Options range from group meetings with people in similar situations, to advanced therapy with professional counselors and doctors.

United States (in English)

Helplines such as the National Problem Gambling Network (800-522-4700) can advise friends and family who are worried about their loved one’s gambling behavior. There is a high rate of suicide among compulsive gamblers. If you or a loved one is feeling suicidal, those in the USA can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255.

Canada (in English)

United Kingdom (in English)

Brasil (em português)

Argentina (en español)