Gambling Addiction Support: Therapy And Other Mental Health Resources
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Do you or a loved one experience an overwhelming urge to gamble? Gambling addiction, also called compulsive gambling or pathological gambling, can be a severe issue that can affect a person's mental health and general well-being. Understanding the implications of compulsive gambling and different methods of addressing it can support a higher quality of life for compulsive gamblers as well as a higher general level of empathy in society.
In this article, we'll look more closely at the realities of gambling addiction and how it might affect one's mental health. We will also go over the benefits of getting professional assistance if you have a gambling addiction and the various available treatment options.
Understanding gambling addiction or problem gambling
Gambling addiction, also known as gambling disorder, is a behavioral addiction characterized by an uncontrollable urge to gamble despite the negative impact it may have on one’s life. Individuals with this disorder are driven by persistent and recurrent problematic gambling behavior that leads to significant distress or impairment in personal, family, or vocational pursuits.
In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), gambling addiction is referred to as Gambling Disorder and is classified under Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders. It has defined diagnostic criteria that professionals can use to give someone an official diagnosis.
Gambling addiction vs. casual gambling
People who engage in casual gambling may set guidelines for themselves. For example, they may stop when they lose a certain amount or limit their gambling to a special occasion, like buying a lottery ticket or going to a casino for a night out on their birthday. Casual gambling generally does not have a significant impact on a person’s life.
For a diagnosis of gambling disorder, someone must experience persistent and recurrent problem gambling behavior that leads to clinically significant impairment or distress. Specifically, they must exhibit at least four of the following in a 12-month period:
- Being often preoccupied with gambling
- Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired level of excitement
- Having repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling
- Being restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling
- Often gambling when feeling distressed
- Returning another day to get even after losing money gambling
- Lying to family members, therapist, or others to conceal the extent of gambling
- Jeopardizing or losing a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling
- Relying on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling
These symptoms must also not be better explained by manic episodes associated with mood disorders and can be classified as episodic or prolonged, depending on whether the symptoms last for months or years.
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Signs and symptoms of gambling addiction
The signs and symptoms of gambling addiction may vary from person to person, however, it can have a significant impact on an individual’s life. Some common signs can include:
- Lying about how much time or money has been spent on gambling activities
- Experiencing difficulty controlling urges to place bets when tempted by a casino or online game
- Neglecting responsibilities such as work or school in favor of gambling
- Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when one is unable to gamble
- Feeling hopeless when not betting, or chasing losses instead
- Engaging in risky behavior, such as stealing or lying
If you recognize yourself, a family member, or a friend experiencing any combination of these signs and symptoms, then it’s possible compulsive gambling may be present.
Getting the support of a mental health professional can help you or a loved one learn to identify and manage gambling addiction. Online therapy can be a supportive strategy to use to lessen the impact of gambling effects, the consequences of excessive gambling, help with managing money problems, and can promote a higher quality of life.
Why gambling addiction is hard to stop
Gambling addiction can be difficult to overcome, in part because it directly affects how the brain functions.
How gambling affects the brain
When you do something you enjoy, like eating tasty food, exercising, or listening to music, your brain releases the feel-good chemical dopamine. In some people, gambling can trigger a large release of dopamine. At first, this leads to a pleasurable feeling, but over time, the brain adjusts, and the person must gamble more and more to get the same pleasurable feeling, which can lead to addiction.
Risk factors and vulnerable groups
While anyone can develop a gambling addiction, some people may be at higher risk. For example, young adults with gaming disorder may be more likely to develop a gambling addiction. Some other known risk factors include:
- Being male
- Being single or being married for less than 5 years
- Living alone
- Having a low level of education
- Having financial difficulties
- Having difficult family and social relationships
- Growing up in a single-parent household
- Having parents with addiction problems
- Having high levels of stress
- Having higher levels of impulsivity
- Experiencing cognitive distortions
- Having a mental health condition, including anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, mood disorder, or substance use disorder
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Common triggers that worsen problem gambling
Many factors can contribute to compulsive gambling, with some situations intensifying urges. Knowing how to recognize factors that may cause someone to lose control can be beneficial for long-term health.
Emotional triggers and stress
As mentioned above, anxiety and depression can be risk factors for gambling addiction and may encourage people to use gambling as a way to escape from or numb intense feelings. When mental health struggles like these are not effectively treated, gambling may feel like a relief, temporarily providing a boost of dopamine. Boredom can also play a role, creating a need for stimulation or distraction.
Environmental and social triggers
In some cases, environmental factors can play a significant role in worsening gambling problems. Easy access to gambling, whether it’s through card games, casinos, gambling apps, or other forms of gambling, can quickly cause cravings, making it more difficult for people to resist.
Treatment options for gambling addiction
There are various ways to get support for gambling addiction. If you or a loved one is experiencing gambling addiction, you can call The National Council on Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700, for 24-hour support. The UCLA Gambling Studies Program has also developed comprehensive research, tools, and forums for those struggling with gambling addiction. Professional support, peer support, and self-help programs can also help.
Professional treatment and therapy
According to the American Psychiatric Association, many people need help to address gambling problems, but different approaches may work for different people. Several types of therapy may be used to address gambling addiction, including cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, and family therapy.
Peer support and self-help programs
Peer support and self-help programs can also be beneficial and help address the larger public health issue of gambling. For some, attending a Gam Anon or Gamblers Anonymous meeting can be beneficial to share personal stories and get peer support that can help people dealing with gambling addiction avoid isolation and see that they are not alone.
Practical tools and protective steps
As mentioned, environmental and social triggers can make it difficult for people to resist urges, but taking practical and proactive steps to avoid these situations can help. If you are trying to stop gambling, you may try limiting access to money, engaging in physical activity as a distraction, or voluntary self-exclusion, which is voluntarily banning yourself from casinos, internet-based gambling, or any environment where you may be tempted to gamble.
How can online therapy support those living with a gambling problem?
One of the primary benefits of online therapy for gambling addiction is that it may allow individuals to work through the emotions and feelings associated with their addiction from the comfort of their own home, which may empower them to be more vulnerable than they otherwise would be.
Additionally, gambling addiction might be linked to underlying mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders. Online therapy could support people in addressing these concerns and improving their overall mental health.
Gambling addiction help: Is online therapy effective for gambling disorders?
A recent study published by Griffith University provides strong evidence of the effectiveness of online therapy for individuals with gambling addiction. The study demonstrated an eight-week internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy program that could significantly improve gambling problems and psychiatric symptoms compared to a control group that received no therapy. This study suggested a successful efficacy rate of online therapy in this context through clinical participant self-reporting, demonstrating the effectiveness of online therapy for gambling addiction and supporting the idea that online therapy may be an essential part of a recovery process.
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Takeaway
What should I do if I cannot stop gambling?
If you need support for gambling addiction, call the National Council on Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 for help, 24/7. The UCLA Gambling Studies Program has some online resources you can use, including tools, research, support groups, and forums where you can connect with others struggling with gambling addiction.
If you need more in-depth support, consider working with a therapist to help you address your addiction and any underlying issues and develop a treatment plan to move forward.
Why is it so hard to stop gambling once it becomes a problem?
According to the American Psychiatric Association and the DSM, compulsive gambling is considered an addictive disorder. It may result from changes in the brain’s reward system or environmental factors. If quitting gambling is hard for you, it might not be your fault, but it is vital to seek help. Compulsive gambling can have profound and long-lasting consequences on your life. Treatment may be challenging, but it can help you gain a sense of control.
Can someone with a gambling addiction ever fully stop gambling?
Some can. Casual gamblers may be able to stop when they lose a certain amount of money or when they lose interest. People who gamble compulsively, though, may feel like they need to keep playing until they recover their money, even if it means they create debt to do so. Some people with a gambling addiction can have periods of remission when they gamble less or stop gambling altogether, but without gambling addiction treatment, they usually resume gambling.
Is gambling addiction difficult to treat?
Some people can stop gambling on their own, but many problem gamblers may be unable to address their problems without help. Several types of therapy may effectively treat gambling addiction, including psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, and group therapy. Therapy can also help people realize how gambling affects them and their families and consider other options.
Various websites exist to offer people support with gambling. The National Problem Gambling Helpline is also available for free, support—you can speak with a counselor and access local resources. Gamblers Anonymous is another resource that offers peer support to people who have experienced problems with gambling. You can also self-exclude from gambling.
What does gambling do to your brain?
You might wonder, why can't I stop gambling? It might have something to do with dopamine. Gambling addiction may develop due to changes in the brain’s reward system, specifically how the person’s brain interacts with dopamine. In short, when people with a gambling addiction gamble, it can cause a dopamine rush. This dopamine rush causes them to feel good, particularly after a big win, which causes them to gamble more, despite any negative effects on their life. Dopamine may also play a role in substance misuse problems, impulse control disorder, and other addictive behaviors.
What is the difference between problem gambling and gambling addiction?
Problem gambling is not an official term, but it is sometimes used interchangeably with gambling addiction. A distinction of the two terms might be that the DSM-5 lists “problematic gambling behavior” as one of the primary diagnostic criteria for gambling addiction, but for a diagnosis, a person must also exhibit “clinically significant impairment or distress” associated with problem gambling behaviors.
What are the most effective treatments for gambling addiction?
According to the American Psychiatric Association, different treatments may work for different people. Some common therapy approaches used to treat gambling addiction include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, group therapy, and family therapy. Some people may also find support groups like Gamblers Anonymous helpful.
How does Gamblers Anonymous help with recovery?
According to The National Council on Problem Gambling, Gamblers Anonymous (GA) meetings are a safe, confidential space where people who have problems with gambling can meet to “share their experiences, strengths, and hope.” GA can be a place where people can support one another’s efforts to stop gambling and learn that they are not alone.
Can gambling addiction affect mental health conditions like anxiety or depression?
Yes, gambling addiction can worsen symptoms of mental health conditions like anxiety or depression. For example, one study found that people with both major depressive disorder (MDD) and gambling disorder (GD) have a higher risk of suicide than people with MDD who do not have GD.
When should someone seek immediate help for a gambling problem?
Generally, it can be beneficial to seek immediate attention as soon as you realize that gambling may be more than just a bad habit. If you are having significant financial instability, are considering illegal activity to fund gambling, are unable to stop gambling, or are experiencing rapidly declining mental health, consider reaching out to a crisis line, therapist, or trusted friend or family member. Seek emergency help if you are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
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