The Impact Of Gambling Addiction On Mental Health
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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
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 a persistent and recurrent problematic gambling behavior that leads to significant distress or impairment in personal, family, or vocational pursuits.
This addiction can manifest through various forms of gambling, such as betting on sports, playing casino games, or engaging in online gambling platforms. The compulsive nature of this behavior often results in severe financial, emotional, and social consequences, including debt, relationship breakdowns, and a deterioration of mental health.
Unlike casual gambling for entertainment, gambling addiction is marked by an increasing preoccupation with gambling, needing to gamble with more money to achieve the desired excitement, and repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling.
Possible risk factors for gambling addiction
Anyone can have the ability to become addicted to gambling; however, certain people may be at higher risk than others. These risk factors can include:
Mental health conditions
People living with mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression may be at a higher risk of developing an addiction because they may use gambling to numb their feelings or cope with complex life events.
Family history
If there is a history of substance use disorder or other behavioral addictions in the family, people may be more likely to develop a habit due to genetic predisposition and learned behaviors from families whose lifestyles may promote addictive behavior patterns. Please note that the term ‘substance abuse’ is no longer included in the DSM-5, and instead is referred to as ‘substance use disorder’.
Low self-esteem
People who may have low self-esteem may turn to gambling to boost their confidence and feel better about themselves. This can lead to exaggerated optimism, which can then increase the chances of becoming addicted if the gambler starts taking excessive risks in hopes of winning big payouts.
Reachability
Where one lives might also affect whether someone is likely to develop an addiction. Online gambling has also made it easier for people to begin gambling online no matter their proximity to a physical casino.
Signs and symptoms of gambling addiction
The signs and symptoms of gambling addiction may vary from person to person — however, some common signs can include:
- Lying about how much time or money has been spent on gambling activities
- Experiencing difficulty controlling urges 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 or a friend experiencing any combination of these signs and symptoms, then it’s possible compulsive gambling may be present.
The impact of gambling addiction on mental health
One of the top impacts that gambling addiction can have on mental health is an increased risk for other mental health conditions — such as depression, anxiety, or obsessive compulsive disorder. Chronic gambling may lead to many other negative consequences, including financial problems, strained relationships with family and friends, guilt or shame about their behaviors, alcohol addiction, or substance use disorder.
The role of stress in gambling addiction and mental health management
Stress is considered by many to be one of the leading causes of the development of gambling addiction. Research suggests that people who experience higher stress levels due to life events such as job loss or divorce are more likely to start or increase their gambling activity to escape the circumstances they might find themselves in.
Exploring the connection between gambling addiction and suicidality
Gambling addiction has also been clinically linked to suicidal ideations by many researchers. Studies suggest that people experiencing disordered gambling may be more likely than non-gamblers to report thoughts about ending their own lives.
This may be due to a combination of factors, such as:
- Feeling overwhelmed by lost money or debt resulting from excessive betting activities
- Experiencing a deep sense of guilt over how gambling behavior has affected their family life and loved ones
- Experiencing a lack of confidence in their ability ever to stop gambling and change or overcome the addiction
- Experiencing a fear or shame surrounding public revelation if seeking help
If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts, consider reaching out for help immediately. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 988 and is available 24/7, 365.
Exploring the impact of gambling on relationships and social support systems
Gambling addiction can impact an individual’s relationships and social support systems. This gambling disorder might lead to problems with family finances, which in turn might cause strain in marriages or other close relationships.
Additionally, the secretive nature of pathological gambling can mean that those closest to the person may not even be aware of their partner’s gambling problem. This may lead to feelings of guilt and shame, as well as mistrust between the two parties— making it difficult for them to communicate effectively.
Treatment options for gambling addiction
If you or a loved one are experiencing gambling addiction, call The National Council on Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700, 24-hour support. The UCLA Gambling Studies Program has also developed comprehensive research, tools, and forums for those struggling with gambling addiction.
Another way to help overcome your gambling addiction is by allowing your partner or a loved one to take over your finances while you’re in recovery, allowing them to keep an eye on your bank account and credit card statements for signs of relapse.
You may also try techniques such as distracting yourself from thinking about gambling, visualizing the consequences for if you gamble, or postponing gambling by waiting a few minutes or a few hours to see if the urge to gamble subsides with time. For more in-depth support, working with a therapist can help you address your gambling addiction and find an individual treatment plan to help you recover.
How can online therapy support those living with gambling addiction?
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.
Is online therapy effective for gambling disorder?
A recent study published by Griffeth 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.
Takeaway
What to do if you can't 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 hard for me to stop gambling?
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 a gambler ever 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 it hard to stop gambling addiction?
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.
Why is it a sin to gamble?
The Bible does not specifically condemn gambling, but it does warn against the love of money. Gambling also takes advantage of others' misfortunes. For one person to win, someone else has to lose.
Why do I gamble until I lose?
There can be many reasons that people continually chase bets and gamble until they lose. Some casual gamblers may determine a set limit of money that they are willing to lose before they stop. However, people with a gambling addiction may keep gambling even after they have lost significant amounts of money. Signs that you may have a gambling addiction can include lying about how much money or time you have lost gambling, borrowing money to gamble, having difficulty controlling urges to gamble, neglecting responsibilities to gamble, and engaging in risky behavior, like lying or stealing money to gamble or pay bills. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, talking to a therapist can help.
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, 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 happens if you are addicted to gambling?
If you are addicted to gambling, it can significantly affect many aspects of your life, including your finances, career, and relationships, and you may also experience issues with other mental health conditions, like bipolar disorder, personality disorders, anxiety, or depression. Gambling addiction may also have a connection to suicidal ideations, with some research showing that people with gambling issues may be more likely to report thoughts of suicide.
If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for immediate support. Call or text 988, 24/7, 365.
Is it bad to be a gambler?
Gambling in and of itself may not be bad. For some people, gambling every once in a while can be entertaining. But not everyone can gamble casually, which is when gambling stops being fun. For a problem gambler, gambling can become a problem that significantly affects many aspects of their life.
What is the personality of a gambler?
Gamblers may be stereotypically seen as thrill seekers or risk-takers who act impulsively. While this may be true in some cases, there are no checklists to determine if someone is a gambler by assessing their personality traits.
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