Also called compulsive or pathological gambling, gambling addiction is a behavioral addiction characterized by an abnormal and uncontrollable urge to gamble. Individuals who are addicted to gambling often find that their need to participate in gambling behavior disrupts their lives. As a result, their obsession may lead them to destroy their relationships at home and work, drain their savings and commit crimes, all to continue gambling to achieve the high associated with the activity.
Genesis
Gambling addiction typically begins with acceptable amounts of recreational gambling and then develops gradually over numerous years. Other individuals may remain casual gamblers for decades, developing a pathological addiction only after a life stressor, such as losing a job, occurs. Still other people may become compulsive gamblers after just one wager, although that is rare. The majority of gamblers care more about the excitement of gambling than the prospect of winning money.
Causes
Although researchers have not identified a specific cause of gambling addiction, according to the Mayo Clinic, studies indicate the condition may result from biological and environmental factors. For example, the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin facilitate communication between nerve cells. If the brain releases an insufficient supply of the chemicals, communication between neurons may become ineffective, producing abnormal gambling behavior. Some medications and severe head injuries may also contribute to the development of gambling addiction, especially if they impair brain functioning and, therefore, the ability to make sound decisions while gambling.
Gender Differences
Twice as many men as women receive a diagnosis of gambling addiction in the United States, according to the Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders. Men are more likely to pursue treatment in a program after diagnosis, possibly because women are more concerned about the social stigma of being perceived as a gambling addict. Diagnosed male gambling addicts also tend to start gambling earlier than diagnosed female gambling addicts. While they frequently begin gambling during their teenage years, women usually begin gambling compulsively as adults.
Risk Factors
The likelihood of developing a gambling addiction increases when certain biological, environmental or personality conditions occur. People have a higher risk of becoming compulsive gamblers if they have another mood or behavior disorder, such as a substance abuse problem, or a family member with a gambling addiction. Men are more likely to become gambling addicts, as are people who started gambling when they were young or who have competitive or restless dispositions. Individuals who live near a betting facility and workaholics are at greater risk, as well, and so are people who take dopamine agonist medications.
Diagnosis
The "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" requires at least five of 10 symptoms for a compulsive gambling diagnosis: betting more money to gain excitement, borrowing money to gamble after gambling ruins finances, failing to decrease gambling, committing crimes to continue gambling, endangering personal or professional relationships because of gambling, gambling to escape emotional or life issues, gambling to regain lost money, growing agitated or restless while trying to decrease gambling, lying to others about the level of gambling, and preoccupation with gambling.
