Gambling Addiction

Gambling is a diverse activity and it may not be immediately obvious that the activity in which a person is participating is in the nature of gambling. Gambling involves betting something of value with others in the hope of winning something of greater value. Due to their characteristics, like the high speed of play or stake involved, some types of games make a person more likely to become addicted to them.

Some examples of places/events where gambling is involved are as follows:

• Casinos
• Online games like poker, rummy
• Betting during sporting events, like horse racing, cricket, football
• Bingo
• Card or dice games
• Lottery

Typically, there are two types of gamblers:

• Action gamblers: enjoy playing games involving skill and winning against the odds
• Escape gamblers: see gambling as a way of distracting from life or escaping reality

For many people, gambling stimulates their brain’s reward centre, similar to alcohol or drugs by increasing the level of serotonin and dopamine, leading to a feeling of excitement. As a person continues gambling, they start developing tolerance and need to gamble more to feel the same level of excitement as before.

Gambling turns into an addiction when a person finds themselves chasing bets even in the case of mounting losses, hiding their behaviour, depleting their bank accounts, taking on debt or even resorting to stealing or fraud to support it. The frequency of gambling or the amount lost does not determine whether gambling addiction exists. For example, some people may engage in gambling periodically for a stretch of time, however, it does not alter the financial or emotional consequences. It is in the nature of uncontrolled compulsive behaviour and is considered an impulse-control disorder.

Gambling addiction is a serious condition that can affect have major financial, social, psychological, professional and physical impacts on a person’s life.

Due to shame or fear of embarrassment or being found out, a person with a gambling addiction often tries to hide it. However, gambling addiction manifests itself in other areas of life and the person can exhibit some or all of the following:

• Preoccupied with gambling and constantly making plans
• Resorting to gambling in moments of distress
• Guilt after a gambling session
• Shying away from work, personal and other commitments
• Poor work performance and/or losing jobs, relationships and work opportunities
• Lying or covering up a gambling addiction
• Using most or all of the money in placing bets
• Selling off items, cheating or stealing monies or taking loans to gamble
• Feeling excited while gambling and withdrawn, despondent, irritable or restless when not
• Placing higher bets even after losing money in hope of returning to even out
• Relying on others to get out of financial trouble caused due to gambling
• Continuous unsuccessful attempts in reducing, controlling or quitting gambling

Some people may not engage in gambling frequently, however, when they do start, they find themselves unable to stop.

Gambling addiction can happen to anyone. The root cause is not entirely clear, however, usually, a combination of biological, genetic and environmental factors is attributed to cause the development of gambling addiction. Some of the factors are:

• Financial crunch and opportunity of making easy money through gambling
• Retirement or availability of free time
• Loneliness
• Low self-esteem
• Presence of other addictions, like alcohol addiction or drug addiction
• Traumatic circumstances
• Emotional triggers such as helplessness, work stress, guilt, depressive thoughts or anxiety
• Social environment and influence of family, friends or peers
• Genetics, for example, if parents or grandparents were gambling addicts
• Certain medications like antipsychotic medication and dopamine agonists put a person more at risk of developing an addiction
• Personality disorders like bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• More common in men than women, although found to develop more quickly in women
• More likely for men to develop this at a younger age while women are more likely to develop this later in life
• More common in younger and middle-aged people
• Personality characteristics like being impulsive, workaholic, restless, highly competitive, and increased boredom could increase the risk of gambling addiction

Gambling addicts are at increased risk of suicide. Further, this addiction can cause long-lasting effects on a person’s life:

• Financial troubles, including bankruptcy
• Legal issues, criminal charges or imprisonment
• Poor work performance or loss of employment
• Poor general health
• Strained relationships with family and friends

Gambling addiction may be harder to identify unless a person displays more visible symptoms such as bankruptcy. It can be self-diagnosed or a formal diagnosis may be undertaken by a mental health professional – psychiatrist or psychologist or therapist.

To diagnose and determine the severity of gambling addiction, the doctor would:

• Review the person’s life history, and history of other addictions if applicable
• Discuss gambling habits with the person and their friends and family.
• Conduct a psychiatric assessment to capture details about thoughts, emotions and behaviour patterns
• Evaluate whether other mental health issues could be present

A mental health professional would issue a formal diagnosis of gambling addiction if they identify at least a certain number of specific symptoms associated with gambling.

It is estimated that only one in ten people with gambling addiction seek treatment. Most people have a hard time acknowledging that they might have a problem – which is a major step toward treatment. It is important to entirely quit gambling.

Like other addictions, a combination of therapy, medications and support groups provides a well-rounded approach to recovering from gambling addiction.

In terms of therapy, there are several approaches such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), family therapy, group therapy, individual therapy, psychodynamic therapy, etc. In CBT, the person and therapist work together to identify patterns of thinking and behaviour, risks and triggering situations leading to gambling addiction and learn coping skills to avoid a relapse.

There are no specific medications for treating gambling addiction. However, depending on the causative factors and other health conditions, the doctor may prescribe medications to address co-morbidities. Mood stabilisers and antidepressants could help reduce symptoms. Further, narcotic antagonists which are used to treat drug addictions may also help.

Support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Gamblers Anonymous provide peer support to help stop gambling addiction.

Depending on the person’s needs and resources, treatment for gambling addiction could involve the following programs:

• Outpatient rehabilitation program: the person attends classes at a centre in a group setting or in one-on-one sessions. The person continues to live in their residence and continues on with their life.
• In-patient / residential rehabilitation program: this is more relevant for people who need a structure provided by a treatment centre and who find themselves unable to stop visiting platforms/venues for gambling without help. The person is required to stay in the facility for a certain period of time, which could range from 30 days to a year.
• Twelve-step programs: Gamblers Anonymous or other 12-step programmes may also help a person tide over their gambling addiction. It follows a similar model as Alcoholics Anonymous, helping the person connect with a support network of other recovering gambling addicts. Group meetings may be held one or more times on a weekly basis.

While undergoing the treatment, the person may be required to entrust their financial responsibilities to their partner or a trusted friend. The person will also need to avoid situations and places that incite the urge for gambling.

Treating a gambling addiction would also need to address other aspects of the person’s life such as any legal problems and education. Family members of a gambling addict also need to be counselled to learn how best they can support in the recovery process.

The best way to not become addicted to gambling is to not gamble. However, steps that a person can take to prevent turning gambling into addiction are:

• Conducting educational programmes targeting groups and individuals more prone to developing a gambling addiction
• Limit the time spent on gambling and enforce it, irrespective of the winnings or losses. For winnings, set an upper limit
• Engage in healthy activities to balance out recreational gambling
• Set a budget and a separate wallet for entertainment and only utilise that money for gambling regardless of the losses suffered
• Do not borrow any money to gamble
• Acknowledge and remind themselves of the risks involved and that everyone loses over time
• Focus on playing for fun. For the money, shift focus towards work or investments.
• In case of a strong urge for gambling, especially during an unscheduled time, postpone it
• Improve lifestyle and explore new activities
• Learn healthier ways to deal with life’s problems and seek the help of friends and family or even professional help, if required
• Change environment – shift to a new location or socialise with people with different interest areas

People who also suffer from conditions such as personality disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, etc. need to treat these conditions and follow a treatment regimen.

Gambling addiction has the potential to destroy many lives. Getting over self-denial, realising that a problem exists and overcoming the embarrassment are big steps that are very necessary for a gambling addict to recover from it.

A well-rounded treatment programme involves therapy, medications and support groups along with the support of loved ones, to address the underlying causes. Anybody can develop a gambling addiction and through continual treatment, a person can successfully recover from it.

Effective treatment of gambling addiction goes a long way in avoiding its nasty consequences, mending one’s relationships and leading an accomplished life.