Gambling addiction is a chronic and often gradual condition that occurs when an individual is unable to control the impulse to participate in gambling, regardless of the negative impact that gambling might have on her life. Alternatively called pathological or compulsive gambling, the disorder frequently leads to stress, extensive debt and a progressively worse gambling problem, especially if left untreated.
Significance
Although gambling addiction has a clear financial effect, it is fundamentally an emotional issue. Similar to other addictions, such as alcoholism, gambling behavior produces a changed mood that causes some people to gamble more in an attempt to experience the mood again. But repeatedly gambling creates a tolerance, which forces the individual to gamble even more to produce the desired effect. As tolerance increases, the gambler begins to crave gambling and the associated mood more often and intensely, and his ability to resist gambling decreases accordingly.
Causes and Risk Factors
The precise cause of gambling addiction is unknown, but research indicates both environment and genetics contribute to it. For instance, the orbitofrontal cortex and neurotransmitters in the brain may function abnormally in pathological gamblers, causing them to process information and react differently in gambling situations. Gambling addiction is also more likely in men younger than 55, individuals who started gambling as adolescents and people who have another mood or addiction disorder or a relative with a gambling problem.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Gambling addiction produces traits that are often similar to symptoms of substance abuse. Diagnosing compulsive gambling requires identifying a minimum of five signs from a group of established symptoms. The ten signs are lying to hide the problem, developing an obsession with gambling, needing to gamble with more money to experience excitement, gambling to avoid problems, borrowing from others to finance gambling, destroying professional or personal relationships as a result of gambling, gambling to win back money, engaging in criminal activity to fund gambling, feeling irritated or uneasy when attempting to stop gambling and trying unsuccessfully to reduce gambling.
Complications and Side Effects
Compulsive gambling can ruin lives and relationships and cause massive debt. Their gambling habit causes approximately 90 percent of pathological gamblers to commit a felony crime, according to the Mayo Clinic, which can lead to legal repercussions and imprisonment. Attempted suicide and suicide due to depression are also possible, particularly in gambling destinations like Atlantic City and Las Vegas. Other potential complications include anxiety, loss of employment, heart attacks following heightened excitement or stress, and developing another addiction, such as drug abuse.
Treatment
Once gambling addicts admit their problem and decide to seek help, they typically require ongoing treatment to help them avoid relapsing and resuming their gambling habit. Yet because many gambling addicts remain in denial, treatment often starts only after family members or acquaintances pressure them to get help. Common options for overcoming gambling addiction include participating in psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, with a professional therapist or supportive self-help groups, such as Gamblers Anonymous, with other addicts. Medications, including mood stabilizers and antidepressants, may also help compulsive gamblers regulate their emotions.
