In moderation, gambling is a harmless form of entertainment. However, like many high-risk activities, it is possible to develop a pathological addiction to it. The American Psychiatric Association lists a number of symptoms that could indicate a gambling addiction. Among other things, these symptoms may include excessive financial losses; an overreaching preoccupation with gambling; engaging in criminal behaviors to finance a gambling habit; and the loss of your family, friends, home and/or job in order to accommodate your addiction. It can be very difficult to overcome pathological gambling. If you or someone you love is struggling with a gambling addiction, knowing the underlying causes that contribute to pathological gambling is an important first step on the path to recovery.
Escapism
For some, gambling is caused by a need for escape. According to the Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders website, the appeal of gambling is not the potential financial payoff, but the dynamic atmosphere and the feelings of excitement that gambling elicits. An addict seeks to lose herself in the energetic environment. For a short time, any painful or pressing psychological issues seem to disappear. Unfortunately, addicts often fail to see that their addiction exacerbates their problems in the long run. Gambling will never cure depression; it will only feed the craving to gamble even more.
Impulsivity
Impulsivity is also another possible cause of pathological gambling. The Brain Physics website defines impulsivity as "the choice of a small, short-term gain at the expense of a large, long-term loss." Gambling addicts are particularly susceptible to impulsivity. The allure of risking a small amount of money for a large return is so compelling, it overrides an addict's reason and common sense. At his most extreme, a pathological gambler will place bets that far exceed his income, mortgaging his home, selling his assets and accumulating debt in order to satisfy his impulsivity.
Cognitive Distortions
Another potential cause of pathological gambling is distortions in cognition. According to the Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders, chronic gamblers suffer from faulty thought processes. You or your loved one may rely on superstitions to gamble, such as wearing a favorite hat every time you place a bet or strictly adhering to a detailed routine of preparation before going out to gamble. An addict errantly believes that ritualized behavior will control the outcome of her gambling. Each win renews an addict's faith in her superstitious behavior and each loss is blamed on a flaw in following the routine, rather than the high-risk nature of gambling itself. Until these faulty thought processes are eradicated, an addict will continue to cling to them.
Availability
The increased availability of gambling may also be a cause of a pathological addiction. "Two million---1 percent---of U.S. adults are estimated to meet criteria for pathological gambling in a given year," according to the Brain Physics website, with anticipated increases in the future. Casinos, lotteries and online gambling have made betting and games of chance more available to the public than ever before.
If you or a loved one has a gambling problem, there is help available. Contact a support group such as Gamblers Anonymous for more information.
