Gambling

Gambling addiction

Symptoms

Persistent preoccupation with and planning of gambling, along with efforts to mobilize financial resources for it.

Investing increasingly larger amounts of money in gambling in order to feel emotional pleasure.

Unsuccessful attempts to reduce, control, or stop gambling, accompanied by irritability and frustration.

Gambling as an attempt to escape from problems, feelings of helplessness and guilt, or to find relief from anxiety or depression.

Trying to win back lost money by gambling more (chasing losses)

Lying to family members or friends to hide episodes of gambling.

Giving up important relationships, work, or studies because of gambling.

Asking other people for financial help.

Possible causes

Risk factors

Mental health problems: People who gamble compulsively often have substance dependence, a diagnosed personality disorder, depression, or anxiety.

Age: Gambling is more common among young and middle-aged adults. Starting to gamble in childhood or adolescence increases the risk of developing an addiction.

Sex: It is more common in men, although women also gamble, and they often develop dependence more quickly.

Influence of family and friends: if someone close to you has a gambling addiction, your own risk increases.

Medications: Dopamine agonists can rarely cause compulsive behaviors, including gambling.

Personality traits: high competitiveness, diligence, impulsivity, restlessness, or a tendency to boredom can become risk factors for developing gambling addiction.

Complications

Relationship problems

Financial difficulties, including bankruptcy

Legal difficulties

Poor job performance or loss of employment

Worsening of health

Suicide, suicide attempts, or suicidal thoughts

Prevention

Treatment

Psychotherapy:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT):

Helps identify and change obsessive thoughts and behaviors.
Teaches the patient to explore alternative ways of coping and to manage stress effectively.

Helps identify and change obsessive thoughts and behaviors.

The patient learns to explore alternative ways of coping and to manage stress effectively.

Group therapy:

Sharing experiences with other people and receiving emotional support.
Group therapy reduces feelings of isolation and strengthens motivation to work on resolving the problem.

Sharing experiences with others and receiving emotional support.

Group therapy reduces feelings of isolation and strengthens motivation to work through the problem.

Medication treatment:

If needed, antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications may be used.

Dopamine regulators that reduce hyperactivity in the brain’s reward system.

Group therapy: some people find support by talking with others who have similar difficulties.

Treatment options may include:

Outpatient program

Inpatient program

Residential Therapy Program

Day Clinic

Relapse prevention

Set a primary goal: do not gamble.

Avoid taking risks: remind yourself that even a single bet is very dangerous, because one bet often leads to another.

Seek support from your loved ones: recognize that willpower alone is not enough to overcome gambling. Ask a family member or friend to help you follow through with your treatment plan.

Know and avoid your triggers: identify the situations or feelings that spark the urge to gamble, and try to keep your distance from them.

What you can do before your visit:

Write down all your feelings and thoughts: note what triggers your urge to gamble, whether you have tried to resist it, and how gambling has affected your life.

Write down your personal information: include the main stressors or life changes that may be influencing your behavior.

List all medications: provide information about every medicine, vitamin, herbal product, and supplement you are taking, including their doses.

Recall any other health problems: write down your physical or mental health conditions and how they are being treated.

Questions for your doctor: prepare a list of questions so you can make the most effective use of your appointment time.