A gambling addiction, also called gambling disorder, is the compulsive need to gamble despite negative consequences. Characterized by a lack of impulse control, the disorder drives a person to continue the gambling behavior even when it damages relationships, finances, and work or school performance.
Warning Signs of a Gambling Addiction
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is used by clinicians to diagnose mental disorders. DSM-5 is the most current edition of the manual and defines gambling disorder (GD) as recurring gambling behavior leading to “clinically significant impairment or distress” that is not related to a manic episode.
A diagnosis of GD is based on the presence of a least four of the following symptoms occurring within the past 12 months:
- Gambles with increasingly higher amounts of money to get the desired emotional effect
- Moody, restless, irritable when trying to slow down or stop gambling
- Has unsuccessfully tried several times to control or stop gambling
- Obsessively thinks about gambling, the next wager and ways to obtain money for gambling
- Gambles to avoid negative emotions like anxiety, depression, and guilt
- Gambles with the goal of winning back money lost in a previous gambling session
- Lies to hide the frequency of and money spent on gambling
- Has experienced damage to a relationship, job or school performance or financial stability due to gambling behavior
- Has turned to others for help with financial problems caused by gambling
A study published in Translational Psychiatry found that gambling activates areas of the brain regulating decision-making, pleasure and reward and impulse control. These are the same areas affected by drug and alcohol use.
Treatment for Gambling Addiction
A 2012 survey by the National Council on Problem Gambling found the number of people with a gambling problem had increased since earlier surveys. The survey concluded about 5.77 million people in the surveyed year had a gambling disorder that needed treatment.
If you believe you or a loved one has a gambling addiction, it is important to seek professional help. Not only can gambling destroy relationships, finances and security, but those with a gambling disorder also have a higher risk of suicide.
Treatment for a gambling disorder is similar to treatment for other addictive behaviors. The Mayo Clinic suggests the following treatment approaches:
- Therapy: Individual and group therapy, which may include behavioral exposure therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
- Support Groups: A group like Gamblers Anonymous provides a mutual support system for those seeking information or support for a gambling addiction. Another resource, the National Problem Gambling Helpline, encourages those in need to call, text, or chat online for help with a gambling problem.
- Medications: Because depression or anxiety disorders often accompany compulsive gambling, antidepressants, and mood stabilizers may help to reduce gambling behavior.
It is not uncommon for an individual with a gambling disorder to also have a co-occurring disorder, which may include anxiety disorder, depression, an eating disorder, ADHD, or substance use disorder. For successful long-term recovery, it is important that any co-occurring disorders are treated simultaneously with the gambling addiction.
Turning Point of Tampa has been offering Licensed Residential Treatment for Addiction, Eating Disorders and Dual Diagnosis in Tampa since 1987.
