What is a Gambling Addiction?

A gambling addiction, or gambling disorder, occurs when someone has an uncontrollable urge to gamble despite the negative consequences. 

Similar to drugs and alcohol, gambling stimulates certain reward systems in the brain, resulting in euphoric feelings when they win. Someone with a gambling addiction will continue to gamble even if they can’t afford it. They may even commit unethical or criminal acts. 

What Are the Consequences of a Gambling Addiction?

People with a gambling addiction often risk things of great value in their lives. They may use their savings and their loved one’s belongings to continue gambling.

Some might be driven to steal money to fuel their addiction. They might even risk their personal safety for a chance to win.

Like drug and alcohol addictions, gambling addiction destroys lives. Oftentimes, those who struggle with a gambling addiction accumulate massive debt and legal problems.

What Are the Signs of a Gambling Addiction? 

Those who have a gambling addiction tend to have a preoccupation with gambling and often think about it. They’ll also start spending larger amounts of money to achieve the same emotional effects.

Some might even start chasing losses just to win back lost money. But the most obvious sign of addiction is when they can’t stop gambling.

Other signs include:

• Being restless or irritable when not gambling
• Using gambling to escape other problems
• Gambling to self-medicate (anxiety, depression, etc.)
• Lying to loved ones about their behavior
• Hiding or being secretive about gambling
• Financial problems
• Neglecting relationships and other obligations
• Breaking the law to gamble
• Asking others to support the addiction (asking for money, secrecy, etc.)

If you’re concerned about your gambling behavior or inability to stop gambling, or your loved ones have expressed concern over your gambling, you should seek professional support.

Gambling Addiction vs. Problem Gambling 

Problem gambling and gambling addiction are terms that are sometimes used interchangeably. However, they are not the same thing.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), problem gamblers are people who meet three or more out of 10 criteria for pathological gambling. Addicted gamblers are those who meet five more criteria on the list. 

Problem gambling doesn’t always lead to problems. However, an addiction can disrupt a person’s life, health, and relationships.

Sponsored

Online Therapy Can Help

Over 3 million people use BetterHelp. Their services are:

• Professional and effective
• Affordable and convenient
• Personalized and discreet
• Easy to start

Find a Therapist

Answer a few questions to get started

How Do Gambling Addictions Form?

For a gambling addiction to form, someone must be biologically vulnerable to addiction and be exposed to social stressors. Having a positive gambling experience also helps form an addiction.

People who lose are less likely to end up addicted because they don’t experience a surge of euphoria for winning. Regardless of whether or not they are at risk of developing a gambling addiction. 

Some of the causes and risk factors of developing a gambling addiction include:

• Co-occurring disorders: People with a gambling addiction tend to struggle with personality disorders and substance use disorders.  
• Age: Young and middle-aged people have a higher risk of developing a gambling addiction. 
• Early exposure to gambling: The earlier someone is exposed to gambling the higher their risk of developing an addiction later.
• Gender: Gambling addiction is more common among men than women.
• Family history of gambling: People with relatives who have gambling problems have a higher risk of developing a gambling addiction.
• Medication: Medications like dopamine agonists, antipsychotics, and stimulants can increase your risk of developing a gambling addiction.
• Personality characteristics: People who are impulsive, restless, easily bored, competitive, or workaholics might at risk of developing a gambling addiction.

Sponsored

Get Professional Help

BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor.

Find a Therapist

Answer a few questions to get started

How to Stop a Gambling Addiction

There are inpatient and outpatient treatment programs for people with compulsive gambling behaviors. These treatment programs will offer behavioral or cognitive behavioral therapy. 

These help you unlearn unhealthy, irrational, or negative beliefs and learn healthy alternatives. They also help you learn new skills to avoid gambling.

Additionally, they offer medications like antidepressants and mood stabilizers to treat conditions that put you at risk of a gambling addiction. Some antidepressants can also reduce gambling urges. 

Self-Help Tips to Avoid Gambling

Some people find that certain exercises help them reduce gambling urges or avoid gambling activities. Here are our tips that could help you:

• Tell yourself gambling isn’t worth the risk
• Allow yourself to seek help
• Establish a consistent exercise routine.
• Find support from friends and family.
• Avoid situations that would tempt you to gamble.
• Identify triggers and avoid them.
• Find new hobbies to distract yourself from gambling.
• Learn healthy coping skills to avoid gambling.

You can also join support groups like Gamblers Anonymous. Talking to empathetic peers who share your concerns can be a helpful part of treatment.

How to Prevent Gambling Addiction 

There’s no guaranteed tool or method for preventing gambling addiction. However, understanding your risk and knowing the symptoms of addiction reduces your risk. 

If you have a high risk of developing a gambling addiction, it’s best to avoid gambling entirely. 

If you suspect you have a gambling problem, even if it’s not a full-blown addiction, seek treatment as soon as possible. Gambling treatment is available for those in the earliest stages of problem gambling or addiction.

Sponsored

Get matched with an affordable mental health counselor

Find a Therapist

Answer a few questions to get started