Gambling Addiction Symptoms, Causes Effects, & Gambling Addiction Hotline

What is Gambling Addiction?

Gambling disorder, also known as compulsive gambling, is the uncontrollable desire to keep gambling despite the toll it takes on your life. Gambling means that you’re willing to risk something you value in the hope of getting something of even greater value. This often involves the wagering of money but can include material goods or property as well. Gambling can happen in the form of online or casino games (e.g. poker or roulette), lottery tickets, scratchcards, slot machines, and betting (e.g. sports, fixed-odds, virtual, spread). It can take place in all kinds of settings, though it is most often associated with casinos or online gambling.

What is a gambling addiction? Gambling disorder is often linked with other behavior or mood disorders. Many problem gamblers also suffer from substance abuse issues, unmanaged ADHD, stress, anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder. To overcome your gambling problems, you’ll also need to address these and any other underlying causes as well. Although it may feel like you’re helpless to stop gambling, there are plenty of things you can do to overcome the problem, repair your finances, and finally regain control of your life.

Why is Gambling Addictive?

Why gambling is addictive? Gambling can stimulate the brain’s reward system much like alcohol or drugs can, leading to addiction. If a person has a problem with compulsive gambling, he or she may continually chase bets that lead to losses, use up savings and create debt. The person may hide his or her behavior and even turn to theft or fraud to support their addiction. To be diagnosed with gambling disorder, the DSM-5 indicates that a person must present recurring problematic gambling behavior that leads to clinically significant impairment or distress for more than a year.

Why is Gambling an Addiction?

Gambling addictions, like most other emotional conditions, is understood to be the result of a combination of biological susceptibilities, social stressors (biopsychosocial model), and ways of thinking. There are, however, elements that increase the probability that the individual will develop gambling addictions. Gambling addictions are a mental health problem that is understood to be one of many kinds of impulse-control problems and has many similarities to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Gambling Addiction Signs

Gambling addictions are often described as silent addictions. However, it can cause a variety of signs and “gambler addiction symptoms” that mostly manifest as behavioral changes. Problem gamblers (gambling addicts) often seem preoccupied with gambling by reliving past gambling experiences or planning future ones. Increased risk-taking, such as larger bets or wagers, can also be a sign of addiction. A gambling addict may also resort to gambling in order to cope with personal stresses or problems.

Gambling addicts may lie in an effort to hide the extent of their problem and often jeopardize important relationships and opportunities because of gambling. In some cases, people may have an increased likelihood of committing crimes such as theft—typically, in an effort to generate more money to gamble. When attempting to cut back on gambling, individuals may experience signs of a gambler addict withdrawal, such as depression, insomnia, cravings, anxiety, and irritability. 

What Are the Signs of Gambling Addiction?

Most “signs of a gambling addiction” are challenging for the person themselves to recognize, and they may often display increased denial. It is critical that family and friends keep a watchful eye on such signs if a gambling disorder is suspected.

Some other signs that can indicate someone has a gambling disorder or is at risk of developing one include:

• Spending more time or money gambling than you originally intended
• Feelings of regret, remorse, or guilt after gambling
• Gambling money that you cannot afford to lose
• Intending, planning, or attempting to stop gambling but not following through
• Feeling unable to control yourself when you start gambling

If you notice these addiction gambling symptoms, it may mean that you are struggling with a gambling disorder, or that you are at risk of developing one.

Gambling Addiction Symptoms

Gambling disorders can be diagnosed by a doctor or another mental health professional (gambling addiction experts) by assessing medical history, gambling habits, and mental health status. Reviewing medical history can reveal certain health concerns or medications that may contribute to increased compulsive behaviors. 

What are the symptoms of gambling addiction? According to the DSM-5, an individual may be diagnosed with a gambling disorder if they exhibit four or more of the following addiction to gambling symptoms or behaviors:

• Having a fixation with gambling
• Gambling with increasing amounts of money
• Having the inability to cut back or stop gambling despite attempts to do so
• Feeling agitated or cranky when trying to stop or cut back on gambling
• Gambling when upset, anxious, or depressed
• Continuing to gamble even after losing
• Lying to family members and others about their involvement in gambling
• Committing illegal acts to fund their gambling habit
• Endangering or losing an important relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity due to gambling
• Symptoms of a gambling addiction may include leaning on others for money to relieve financial problems caused by gambling.

Learn More:

•  Drug Abuse and Deviant Behavior
• Alcohol Abuse Information
• Effects of Heroin Abuse – Physical, Behavioral, Psychological, & Social
• The Link Between ADHD and Alcohol, Risks & Interactions
• Alcohol And Anxiety Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorder
• Substance Abuse Defined, Signs, Symptoms, Link to Mental Health
• Is Alcoholism a Mental Disease?
• What Is DBT Therapy? How It Works for Addiction & Techniques
• Behavioral Counseling in Drug Abuse Treatment Centers
• Benefits of Treating Drug Addiction

0.1% to 6.0%

Adult past year problem gambling prevalence rates range from 0.1% to 6.0%, with two to three times as many people experiencing less serious sub-clinical problems.

Source: CDC

87%

Studies also demonstrate that
individuals with gambling disorders have high rates of lifetime mood (60–76%), anxiety (16–40%), and personality (87%)
disorders, particularly anti‐social personality disorder.

Source: NCBI

Gambling Addiction Treatment Centers

Gambling addiction treatment centers generally offer research-based practices and structured recovery programs. Many treatment centers for gambling addiction use methodologies similar to the approaches found in chemical dependency treatment programs. In fact, individuals with gambling disorders are also likely to have substance use, mood, personality, and anxiety disorders.

Treatments for gambling addiction employed at gambling addiction rehab must accommodate and address both diagnoses. Some programs specialize in treating addictions and mental illness or mental health issues as a dual diagnosis. Depending on the person’s needs, he or she can stay at an inpatient rehab for gambling addiction, an inpatient treatment gambling addiction facility, or find outpatient programs.

Residential treatment centers (rehab gambling addiction) usually offer the following services:

• Constant supervision from professionals
• Daily individual and group therapy sessions
• Life Coaching

7 Tips to Stop Gambling Disorder

1. Set Goals – Setting short-term and long-term goals may help you to stay focused and clear about cutting down or giving up your gambling.  Try to plan your days so that you aren’t tempted to fill empty spaces by gambling.
2. Do something completely different – Your brain got used to functioning in a certain way when gambling, but it still needs to be constantly stimulated now that you have stopped. So try to set yourself new goals and tasks each day. 
3. Avoid high-risk situations – taking out loans, such as the use of credit cards, carrying large amounts of money with you, using gaming venues for socializing, or gambling as a reaction to emotions. These behaviors will weaken your resolve to control or stop your gambling.
4. Find alternatives to gambling – many individuals continue gambling because they do not know what else to do with their spare time. Explore new activities and hobbies.
5. Find ways that help you cope better with stress – Stress is the barometer of how we manage our emotions and can be a major contributing factor in relapse from gambling recovery. It is vital to find new, healthy ways to cope with stress, whether that is physical exercise, meditation, hypnotherapy, or talking to a trusted friend.+
6. Keep a gambling diary – this will help you better understand your problem. Include the type of gambling, the time spent, and the amount you gamble. Write down the thoughts, feelings, and situations that occur before and during a gambling session, so you can start to understand the causes of gambling.
7. Identify your self-sabotage triggers – Your clean time is precious. See any urge to gamble as a temporary menace and be prepared for them to emerge before special occasions such as birthdays, wedding anniversaries, or exam time.

Gambling Addiction Stories

Sharing stories about gambling addiction, whether you’re a former gambler, friend, family member, or loved one can help people find support and strength in each other’s journeys and consequently, feel less alone.

In order to get beyond the facts, and statistics of gambling addiction, and deliver a more personal and individual view of this issue, we have created this section to feature the stories of gambling addicts who have been affected by problem gambling.

Individuals who have sought treatment for gambling disorder have countless stories of heartbreak, financial devastation, support, reinvention, and recovery. As you read these “gamble addiction stories”, you will be reminded that problem gambling affects not only the gambler but also their family members, friends, colleagues, and employers; treatment providers; advocates; and many others.

Ann’s Story

Once I became hooked, it became my life. Gambling became my main source of entertainment. It was the only thing that I cared about. I’d cheat, steal and otherwise do whatever it took to get money.

Jacob’s Story

When I was about 10, I remember sensing that something was wrong. I went upstairs and heard my dad screaming and crying into the phone. I heard him saying, “I paid you. I paid you. You’re not getting another penny out of me!” I remember his distress vividly, and it was devastating for me to see my dad in that way. Later, I learned he was talking to a loan shark because of financial problems brought about by gambling.

Jonathan’s Story

After three years of my gambling addiction, I lost the family that I was blessed to have.  My beautiful wife and children have left me and I have not seen them in over two years.  I now live in despair.  The high education, good status, and jobs that I once had seem to have vanished.

Gambling Disorder and Mood Disorders

The association of pathological gambling with mood disorders has led to suggestions that it is an affective spectrum disorder. Many people who are pathological gamblers report that the pleasurable yet problematic behaviors alleviate negative emotional states. Because the behaviors are risky and self-destructive, the question has also been raised as to whether pathological gambling reflects subclinical mania or cyclothymia.

Gambling Disorder and Depression. Depression in individuals who are pathological gamblers may be distinct from primary or uncomplicated depression. That is, depression in people who are pathological gamblers may represent a response to financial difficulties, shame, and embarrassment.

Gambling Disorder and Bipolar Disorder. Rates of co-occurrence of pathological gambling and bipolar disorder may not be as high as initially thought. Nonetheless, in some individuals who are pathological gamblers, brain-imaging studies have found regional differences in brain activity distinguishing bipolar subjects from controls and subjects who are pathological gamblers from controls when asked to perform a cognitive task involving attention and response inhibition.

The first and most important step in treating any disorder is to diagnose it properly. Many people are ashamed of the behaviors associated with pathological gambling and, therefore, may not report that they have a problem. For that reason, clinicians need to screen for pathological gambling if the disorder is to be treated properly.

If you or a loved one are struggling with a long-term gambling disorder and a co-occurring mental health condition such as anxiety and depression, contact one of our helpful treatment specialists today. We Level Up can provide information on dual diagnosis programs that may fit your specific needs. Call us today!