Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionEffectsSteps to Getting TreatmentStopping a Gambling AddictionCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Effects
Steps to Getting Treatment
Stopping a Gambling Addiction
Coping
Gambling disorder can cause problems withmentaland physical health, relationships, finances, and more. Treatment options for gambling disorder include counseling, medications, and support groups.
This article will discuss what gambling addiction is, symptoms of gambling addiction, causes and risk factors for gambling addiction, effects of gambling addiction, treatment for gambling addiction, and coping through gambling addiction treatment.
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Defining Gambling Addiction
To meet the criteria for a diagnosis of gambling disorder, at least four of the following must have occurred during the past year and caused significant distress:
Symptoms of gambling disorder can subside for periods and return.
Gambling problems can develop quickly or over many years. Gambling activities also occur along the following continuum:
Typical Symptoms
Symptoms of gambling disorder can vary, but may include:
Suicide Prevention HotlineIf you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
Suicide Prevention Hotline
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
Traits and Signs In Others
Gambling addiction can be hard to recognize, especially since signs often remain hidden until they become severe, such as a dire financial situation.
If you notice symptoms of gambling disorder, such as those mentioned above, in a friend or family member and want to talk to them about it, there are ways to approach it:
Causes, Triggers, and Risk Factors
Problem gambling stems from a psychological principle called Variable Ratio Reinforcement Schedule (VRRS). With VRRS, mood-stimulating rewards are variable and unpredictable. This can cause someone to gamble compulsively.
Adolescents and young adults are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of gambling compared to adults. This may be linked to their stage of brain development, with decision-making and impulse-control skills still developing.
Some factors that may contribute to problem gambling behaviors in adolescents and young adults include:
Gambling disorder can begin at any age. Males are more likely to start at an earlier age, while females are more likely to start later in life.
Some factors that can contribute to the development of (or difficulty stopping) gambling problems include:
Gambling activities can include:LotteriesCasino table gamesElectronic gaming machines (such as slot machines and poker machines)Horse racingBingoInternet gambling sitesCharitable rafflesAll forms of gambling have the potential to be addictive. But ones that are rapid, have immediate large payouts (such as slot machines), involve betting small amounts to win a huge jackpot, or allow you to place multiple bets at one time tend to be at higher risk for addiction.
Gambling activities can include:
All forms of gambling have the potential to be addictive. But ones that are rapid, have immediate large payouts (such as slot machines), involve betting small amounts to win a huge jackpot, or allow you to place multiple bets at one time tend to be at higher risk for addiction.
Effects of Gambling Addiction
Gambling disorder can have far-reaching effects, and cause problems in a number of areas.
Self-Esteem and Mental Health
Problem gambling has been associated with mental health conditions and considerations, such as:
While gambling disorder may not cause these conditions, it can exacerbate the symptoms and effects associated with them.
Relationships
Gambling disorder can cause people to withdraw from friends and family.Behaviors associated with gambling disorder, such as asking to borrow money, lying, stealing, and not fulfilling responsibilities, can lead to conflict with others. These factors and others can strain personal relationships.
Financial
Financial losses are not necessary for a person to have gambling disorder, but they often occur.
People who have gambling disorder may experience financial issues such as:
Some people with gambling disorder reach a point they begin selling household items or stealing.
Loss of Time and Productivity
When gambling prioritizes a person’s time and becomes a mental preoccupation, it can lead to a loss of productivity at work, school, home, or in other areas.
Physical Health
Gambling disorder, and thestressthat comes with it, can lead to health problems such as:
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Steps to Get Gambling Addiction Treatment
Treatment for gambling disorder usually involves counseling, and often support groups. In some cases, medication may also be helpful.
Counseling and Psychotherapy
Counselingand forms of psychotherapy (talk therapy) are first-line approaches to gambling disorder treatment.Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)is the most common and frequently studied form of treatment for gambling disorder.
CBT helps people with gambling disorder to identify damaging thought patterns and behavior and modify them into more productive patterns.
CBT for gambling can include components such as:
Other forms of therapy that may be used include:
Counseling can help you:
Medications
While there are no U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications for treating gambling disorders, medications that treat co-occurring conditions which can make gambling behavior worse, such asdepression or anxiety, can be helpful.
Currently, medications are being studied for their potential in treating gambling disorder, particularly in reducing urges and cravings for gambling. Certain opioid antagonists have been found in randomized trials to be more successful than placebo in the treatment of gambling disorder.
More research is needed to determine if medications can be effectively used as a primary treatment for gambling disorder.
Support Groups
Some people with gambling disorder find peer support through groups such as Gamblers Anonymous to be helpful.
Gamblers Anonymous is a12-step programin which participants attend meetings, share experiences, and offer each other support as they abstain from gambling.
Gambling Therapy is another organization, similar to Gamblers Anonymous, that offers online support groups to people with gambling disorder and their families.
Support groups are not a substitute for professional treatment.
How to Stop a Gambling Addiction
The first step to stopping gambling addiction isrecognizing the problem. Once you realize you have a problem with gambling, it’s time to reach out for help.
Resources and Support
Places to find resources and support for gambling disorder include:
Coping Through Gambling Addiction Treatment
Getting professional help for gambling addiction is paramount, but there are strategies you can use at home to help you cope while you go through treatment.
Set Goals
Give yourself actionable, realistic short and long-term goals to help you stay focused.
Distract Yourself
Keep yourself busy with other activities, and look for alternative ways to fill the time you used to spend gambling.
Practice Relaxation
Activities such asyoga, physical activity, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation, can help foster relaxation.
Avoid High-Risk Situations and Triggers
Stay away from gaming venues, avoid carrying cash and credit cards, or anything else that makes you moretempted to gamble. Some gambling venues and apps have options for you to have yourself voluntarily banned from using their services.
Contact Your Supports
Talk to friends and family, or other people you trust. Or go to a Gamblers Anonymous meeting.
Summary
Gambling disorder is associated with a number of symptoms, such as being excessively preoccupied with gambling, intense cravings to gamble, and gambling more than you can afford to lose. Gambling disorder can cause problems with relationships, mental and physical health, finances, productivity, and more. Treatments for gambling disorder include counseling, support groups, and medication.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association.Gambling disorder.American Psychiatric Association.What is gambling disorder?Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.Problem gambling.Yale Medicine.Gambling disorder.ConnexOntario.Five signs you may have a gambling problem.ConnexOntario.Signs your loved one has a gambling addiction.Gateway Foundation.How to help someone you know that has a gambling problem.Rizzo A, La Rosa VL, Commodari E, et al.Wanna bet? Investigating the factors related to adolescent and young adult gambling. EJIHPE. 2023;13(10):2202-2213. doi:10.3390/ejihpe13100155American Psychological Association.How gambling affects the brain and who is most vulnerable to addiction.University of California, Los Angeles.Gambling addiction can cause psychological, physiological health challenges.Healthdirect.Gambling addiction.University of Nevada.Gambling addiction: Resources, statistics, and hotlines.Commonwealth of Massachusetts.Treatment recommendations for gambling disorders.Better Help.Gambling - how to regain control.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association.Gambling disorder.American Psychiatric Association.What is gambling disorder?Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.Problem gambling.Yale Medicine.Gambling disorder.ConnexOntario.Five signs you may have a gambling problem.ConnexOntario.Signs your loved one has a gambling addiction.Gateway Foundation.How to help someone you know that has a gambling problem.Rizzo A, La Rosa VL, Commodari E, et al.Wanna bet? Investigating the factors related to adolescent and young adult gambling. EJIHPE. 2023;13(10):2202-2213. doi:10.3390/ejihpe13100155American Psychological Association.How gambling affects the brain and who is most vulnerable to addiction.University of California, Los Angeles.Gambling addiction can cause psychological, physiological health challenges.Healthdirect.Gambling addiction.University of Nevada.Gambling addiction: Resources, statistics, and hotlines.Commonwealth of Massachusetts.Treatment recommendations for gambling disorders.Better Help.Gambling - how to regain control.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Psychiatric Association.Gambling disorder.American Psychiatric Association.What is gambling disorder?Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.Problem gambling.Yale Medicine.Gambling disorder.ConnexOntario.Five signs you may have a gambling problem.ConnexOntario.Signs your loved one has a gambling addiction.Gateway Foundation.How to help someone you know that has a gambling problem.Rizzo A, La Rosa VL, Commodari E, et al.Wanna bet? Investigating the factors related to adolescent and young adult gambling. EJIHPE. 2023;13(10):2202-2213. doi:10.3390/ejihpe13100155American Psychological Association.How gambling affects the brain and who is most vulnerable to addiction.University of California, Los Angeles.Gambling addiction can cause psychological, physiological health challenges.Healthdirect.Gambling addiction.University of Nevada.Gambling addiction: Resources, statistics, and hotlines.Commonwealth of Massachusetts.Treatment recommendations for gambling disorders.Better Help.Gambling - how to regain control.
American Psychiatric Association.Gambling disorder.
American Psychiatric Association.What is gambling disorder?
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.Problem gambling.
Yale Medicine.Gambling disorder.
ConnexOntario.Five signs you may have a gambling problem.
ConnexOntario.Signs your loved one has a gambling addiction.
Gateway Foundation.How to help someone you know that has a gambling problem.
Rizzo A, La Rosa VL, Commodari E, et al.Wanna bet? Investigating the factors related to adolescent and young adult gambling. EJIHPE. 2023;13(10):2202-2213. doi:10.3390/ejihpe13100155
American Psychological Association.How gambling affects the brain and who is most vulnerable to addiction.
University of California, Los Angeles.Gambling addiction can cause psychological, physiological health challenges.
Healthdirect.Gambling addiction.
University of Nevada.Gambling addiction: Resources, statistics, and hotlines.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.Treatment recommendations for gambling disorders.
Better Help.Gambling - how to regain control.
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