Gambling addiction is a huge problem in our society and one that is rising around the world. In fact, a survey published in 2013 revealed that nearly six million people in America had a gambling disorder that warranted some form of treatment.
Also known as compulsive gambling, gambling disorder, or pathological gambling, it is classified by the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) as an addictive disorder. People with gambling addiction have many similarities with the traits of alcoholics and drug addicts.
This behavioral addiction fits one definition of addiction that is widely used by mental health experts. That is, it is something that someone cannot stop and stay stopped from that is detrimental to themselves and/or those around them.
Powerless over gambling
A compulsive gambling addict cannot seem to control their impulse to gamble. This is whether they are winning, losing, wealthy or poor.
In terms of it being an addiction, it doesn’t matter whether someone can afford it or not. It’s about the powerlessness they seem to have over the behavior – despite negative consequences to themselves and others.
Thoughts and compulsion to gamble dominate them. They are never present in the moment unless they are gambling because otherwise they are constantly thinking about gambling. It can negatively impact everything they do in life – from work to family time to playing sports and doing hobbies as well as socializing too. It often badly affects sleeping and physical health due to not taking care of themselves, including not eating well.
Gambling and sport
There is comorbidity with alcohol and drug problems. Many gambling addicts are also more likely to suffer from stress, anxiety, and depression – including thinking about or attempting suicide.
This is put down to the fact that gambling is often connected with sports, which men overall show more of an interest in. But some mental health experts also think it is likely because men are in general more hedonistic in nature and likely to take risks than women.
Other factors that can play a part in someone developing a gambling problem are:
As with other addictions, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can be behind gambling addiction. In this way, gambling can act as an all-consuming distraction (regarding the planning, doing, and aftermath) from the overwhelming pain of this.
Then there is the chase for the high – the “feel-good” chemical dopamine and “happiness hormone” endorphin are both released during gambling. But this high is always short-lived – and so the compulsion to gamble will start up again soon afterward.
How do I know if I have a gambling problem?
According to Gamblers Anonymous, founded in 1957 and now with meetings around the world that follow the Twelve Steps recovery program, answering these 20 questions can give a strong indication of a problem with gambling or not. The more someone answers “yes”, the greater the problem they are likely to have.
Do you lose time from work or school due to gambling?
Is gambling making your home life unhappy?
Is gambling affecting your reputation?
Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?
Do you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties?
Does gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?
After losing, do you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses?
After a win, do you have a strong urge to return and win more?
Do you often gamble until your last dollar is gone?
Do you ever borrow to finance your gambling?
Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling?
Are you reluctant to use gambling money for normal expenditures?
Does gambling make you careless of the welfare of your family?
Do you gamble longer than you planned?
Do you ever gamble to escape worry or trouble?
Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to finance gambling?
Does gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?
Do arguments, disappointments, or frustrations create an urge within you to gamble?
Do you have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling?
Have you ever considered self-destruction as a result of your gambling?
Is there a solution for gambling addiction?
Gambling can be successfully treated in the same manner as other addictions. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has shown positive results for many people.
Benefits of recovery from gambling addiction include getting your life back on track and your finances in order. If left untreated though, as with all addictions, it is a progressive illness that will most likely get worse.
We carefully listen in complete confidence to everyone who chooses to be our guest at Tikvah Lake, in our wonderfully peaceful environment including our beautiful tranquil lake. We offer a personalized treatment program to work for the swiftest and most enduring recovery.
Behavioural addiction (sometimes referred to as process addiction) follows the same emotional and mental pathways as drug addiction, or any other substance use disorder...
Like most dependencies, a gambling addiction likely won’t feel like an addiction until it’s already too late. It starts harmlessly as a fun diversion or social activity, but before you realize it, it’s become an unhealthy obsession – one that can have dire consequences on your personal life, finances, and relationships.
Though some people and personality types are more likely to gamble compulsively than others it can happen to anyone, of any age or gender, at virtually any time.
2.6 percent of the population of the United States has a gambling addiction – nearly 10 million people!
80 percent of Americans gamble on a yearly basis
Gambling costs Americans about 6 billion dollars per year
Men are more than 10 times more likely to develop a gambling problem than women
Youth and young adults aged 16-24 are the most likely age group to develop a gambling addiction. The second most likely age group is adults age 35-44.
Those with mental illnesses, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, alcoholism, and substance abuse disorders are more susceptible to gambling addiction
Defining gambling addiction
Gambling addiction – also known as pathological or compulsive gambling – is a more prevalent issue than most people realize. Like any addiction, it’s activated by the reward centers of the brain in response to any internal or external stimuli that makes you happy. Many people are especially susceptible to compulsive gambling because of the excitement it elicits, and the thrill associated with potentially winning big.
Pathological gambling is an impulse control disorder, meaning you can’t control your impulses even when you’re aware of the negative consequences it’s likely to cause. Dependency can begin quickly or progress slowly. However, addiction tends to develop at a faster rate in those who engage in continuous forms of gambling, like casinos and slot machines, but at a slower rate in people who gamble in ways that allow for more time between bets, like horse races and card games.
Remember, gambling doesn’t necessarily have to be an addiction in order for it to be a problem. Gambling is a problem if it causes problems – regardless of whether or not a person is addicted.
Identifying a gambling addiction
If you suspect that someone close to you, such as a family member or friend, may have a gambling problem, rest assured that you are not alone. Though gambling is a widespread issue, it’s very important to understand that it’s normal for those afflicted to conceal their behaviour out of an often-overpowering sense of guilt or shame.
Diagnosing someone with a compulsive gambling disorder involves looking at a broad variety of signs and factors. Here are four key signs to look for to help identify whether someone you know has a gambling problem.
Mood swings
The person may behave erratically and quick to become angry, aggressive, or irritable. They may also fluctuate quickly between emotional highs and lows for mysterious reasons.
Money problems
The person may regularly ask for loans or be unable to pay their bills.
Increased generosity
The person may become more generous than usual with their money after big wins.
Social withdrawal
The person may stop spending time with friends and family and will abandon their usual hobbies.
Other important signs include insomnia, restlessness, missing work/commitments, interpersonal difficulties, depression and anxiety, lack of motivation and concentration, verbal and physical abuse, and even criminal activity such as stealing or fraud to support their addiction.
Showing support
If you’ve identified a gambling addiction in a family member or loved one, take the following steps to help show your support and get them help in a way that is loving and accepting.
Acknowledging the problem involves the person with the gambling addiction willingly admitting that it’s become a problem. If they’re unwilling to admit to their addiction, the following steps will simply not work.
Talking to them about their addiction means having an open discussion with the person about the issue and the problems it is causing. Be polite, empathetic, and non-accusatory.
Supporting them through it involves being understanding without enabling them. Don’t offer them money. Don’t pay off their debts.
Avoiding judgment involves acknowledging thatgambling is an understandable problem to have. It’s easy for anyone to develop a gambling problem, so trying to understand and empathize with what they’re going through is key to their recovery.
Encouraging Treatment involves looking into an outpatient rehabilitation program and seeing if the person would be willing to attend.
How we can help a gambling addiction
Many people try to deal with their gambling problems themselves using therapy, medications, self-help groups, and by expanding their support system. Though self-betterment in this way is admirable, it’s proven to be more effective in a controlled environment.
At Tikvah Lake, we offer a progressive and comprehensive gambling treatment program that uses a combination of cognitive behavioural therapy, personalized treatment, and a calm, supportive environment.
Our rehab is isolated (quite literally!) from everyday life and the negative triggers that may influence and fuel a gambling addiction, and our personalized treatments help arm our patients with the tools needed to overcome their gambling addiction in a satisfying, long-term way.
It’s not always easy to spot a gambling addiction. Unlike the many physical signs and symptoms that present themselves with substance abuse, the side effects of a gambling addiction are arguably more subtle.
Despite this, a gambling addiction can destroy a person’s life. It’s critical, then, to spot the signs and symptoms of a gambling addiction as early on as possible. Only then does a person stand the best chance of making a full recovery and overcoming their addiction.
Here are the signs and symptoms of a gambling addiction, and how to spot them.
Symptoms of a gambling addict
Like many process addictions (including sex addiction), the symptoms of a gambling addiction usually present themselves in behavioral changes. For example, an addicted gambler will oftentimes:
Become aggressive in situations of stress that inhibit their ability to gamble.
Feel restless and irritable when not gambling.
Experience mood swings associated with process addictions, and may suffer from co-occurring disorders like depression and severe anxiety.
Have trouble limiting other types of process behaviors, too.
In severe scenarios, a gambling addiction can even lead to suicidal tendencies and an addicted gambler may try to take their own life.
If this is the case, be sure to act as fast as possible and do what you can to admit an addict into hospital, a professional treatment facility, or call your local suicide prevention hotline and seek advice.
Signs of a gambling addict
There are some notable signs to watch for if you believe someone has a gambling addiction. For example:
Do you believe they are lying to you about how they spend their time and where they go?
Do they often miss family occasions or arrive late to gatherings?
If you suspect your partner of gambling addiction, are they leaving your child alone for extended periods of time when they’re supposed to be in their care?
Are they financially struggling, despite earning a liveable wage?
Are they neglecting personal responsibilities and often distracted by something else?
Are they often in financial disputes with others?
Have there been any changes in patterns of sleep, sex or eating?
Are they deceiving family members or stealing money from close relatives?
Of course, these behaviors aren’t specifically associated with a problem gambler. Rather, these signs are a beacon for concern that a loved one is doing something suspicious and perhaps irresponsible, and they invite further investigation about a person’s habits and routines. In the event that a person showing these signs is in fact a problem gambler, it’s time to seek professional help. The sooner you can do this, the higher chance of success there is.
Self-help for gambling problems
There are some self-help steps that a problem gambler can take to try and conquer their addiction. For example, a person can try to:
Strengthen their support group
Many gambling addicts suffer in silence for fear of shame and judgement about their habit. However, this solitary suffering often perpetuates an addiction and causes a gambler to risk more.
Opening up to loved ones, then, is a sure-fire way to try and conquer an addiction at home. We all rely upon our communities in various ways, and a problem gambler is no different. What’s more, a person may be gambling because of feelings of negativity, neglect or unhappiness in life. By strengthening community, then, a problem gambler may begin to feel happier within themselves, and the desire to gamble might fade.
Learn to relieve unpleasant feelings in healthier ways
Turning to gambling to evade feelings of hardship in life can be unhealthy, but the process itself is no different than going for a long run to clear your head. A run, however, is a healthy alternative to gambling.
Trying to build positive habits like exercise, rather than turning to gambling, is an effective way to curb the bad habit.
Seeking help for underlying mood disorders that cause problem gambling
Many gamblers suffer from dual diagnosis disorders, experiencing mental health maladies like depression, anxiety and severe stress. Gambling is oftentimes a consequence of these feelings.
Seeking professional help for these root behaviors, then, might be more effective than solving the addiction itself. Here at Tikvah Lake Recovery, we address both the problem addiction and the root behaviors simultaneously. Our residential treatment programs help clients not only overcome their addiction, but also unlock the core reasons ‘why’ they are addicted.
