Far too often, behavioral addictions don’t get taken as seriously or viewed in the same light as substance addiction. People can view those suffering from a behavioral addiction, such as gambling addiction, as weak-minded, lacking self-control, or simply making poor life choices that led them down the path of addiction.
However, behavioral addictions can form in many of the same ways as substance addiction. This includes genetic disposition. In fact, research has started to explore the deeper truths about addiction as it relates to not just gambling addiction but behavioral addictions as a whole.
Signs of a Gambling Addiction
Since the idea of gambling is an accepted part of society, it may be difficult to detect when someone has a gambling addiction. However, being able to spot the signs of a gambling addiction early is crucial in order to try and intervene before the issue continues to get worse.
People who are addicted to gambling often display specific behaviors and symptoms that indicate they need help. These may include:
- A preoccupation with gambling: Someone with a gambling problem will be constantly thinking about gambling, planning their next gambling session, or reliving past gambling experiences.
- Inability to control their gambling: If the person has repeatedly tried to stop gambling and failed, it may be a sign of a larger addiction.
- Chasing losses: Instead of simply walking away from the table (either literally or figuratively), a gambling addict may try and chase their losses. This means they’re looking for or trying to win a “big score” to compensate for their losses — while in the process losing even more money.
- Financial problems: Someone with a gambling problem will often gamble with money they don’t have, or with money earmarked for something else (such as groceries or rent). This can cause financial hardship.
- Deceptive behavior: If the person is lying about the amount of money they spent or hiding their gambling habits, they may not have a healthy relationship with gambling.
- Neglecting responsibilities: A person addicted to gambling may choose to gamble instead of going to work, school, or taking care of other responsibilities.
Gambling Addiction vs. Being a “Problem Gambler”
Gambling addiction, also known as compulsive gambling or gambling disorder, is a behavioral condition characterized by an overwhelming urge to gamble despite the negative consequences it may cause in a person’s life. Like other forms of addiction (such as substance addiction), gambling addiction can disrupt various aspects of a person’s life. Thai can include relationships, work, and finances.
It’s also important to note that, just like other types of addiction, gambling issues exist at different levels of intensity. While some people may experience problem gambling, some may only experience occasional losses and have a relatively “normal” relationship with gambling, Others may fall into more severe categories of compulsive or pathological gambling, or a complete gambling addiction.
Someone who is a “problem gambler” may have difficulty controlling their gambling urges, and their gambling may be problematic and cause financial strain. However, their gambling may not come with significant, life-altering consequences. Someone who is a compulsive or pathological gambler has an unhealthy level of obsession when it comes to gambling, often leading to severe financial, emotional, and personal consequences.
Another important thing to note when it comes to gambling addiction is that, for the addict, the addiction isn’t even about the amount of money being gambled. Instead, it’s about the feeling they get when they gamble and chase that metaphorical high. Gambling addicts can sometimes wager and lose large amounts of money, but that’s not always the case. Someone can wager relatively small amounts of money and still fit the description of a gambling addict.
What Makes Someone Addicted to Gambling?
Gambling addiction is not caused by a single factor, but rather a combination of several influences. While genetics is one potential contributing factor, it’s hardly the only one. Various environmental, psychological, and genetic influences can affect a person’s propensity to become addicted to gambling.
Genetics
Just like drug and alcohol addiction, some people may inherit a genetic vulnerability that makes them more susceptible to addictions of any kind (including gambling addiction). This vulnerability can be linked to things like brain chemistry, neurotransmitter functioning, or the ways that the brain processes reward and pleasure. If a person has a direct relative who struggles with a gambling addiction, they may be more likely to develop a gambling problem.
But it’s important to note that just because a person has someone in their family that suffers from addiction doesn’t automatically mean they will as well. While that person may be at a greater risk, it’s not a 100% guarantee. It is just one factor among many that can influence a person’s chances of becoming addicted to gambling.
Trauma
Traumatic events can also contribute to the development of an addiction, including gambling addiction. People who have experienced significant emotional trauma, or suffer from a trauma-based condition like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), may turn to something as a form of distraction. Some may choose to turn to drugs or alcohol, while others may choose to turn to activities gambling. In the case of gambling specifically, the rush of winning or the distraction of focusing on the game may act as a coping mechanism.
Brain Injuries and Neurological Issues
Another factor that may contribute to gambling addiction is brain injury or neurological abnormalities. Damage to areas of the brain that are responsible for impulse control, decision-making, and emotional regulation can increase the likelihood of compulsive gambling behavior.
For example, individuals with frontal lobe damage may have difficulty controlling impulsive behaviors, making them more prone to gambling addiction. People with neurological conditions that affect mood regulation may be more vulnerable to turning to gambling as a form of self-medication. Certain prescription medications may increase a person’s risk of developing a gambling addiction.
Ease of Access
Thanks to changes in both state and federal laws, gambling has never been easier. In many states, people now have the ability to gamble without even having to leave their own homes. Gambling games and sports betting networks can be easily accessed from both computers and smartphones. This easy access introduces new risks to individuals who may not have been exposed to gambling in the past, or are working to avoid it for their own well-being.
Social Influence/Peer Pressure
Just like with substance addiction, a person may be more likely to adopt these behaviors if they grow up in an environment where gambling is common. For example, a person who grows up in a family where gambling is frequent may perceive gambling as normal and may be more inclined to gamble as they reach adulthood.
Peer pressure can also play a role in gambling addiction, just like it can with substance abuse and addiction. If a person’s social circle regularly gambles, then that person may feel pressured to do so as well. It may be more difficult for them to recognize problematic gambling behavior because it has been so normalized, or to express concern about the gambling-related behavior of others.
Early Exposure
The earlier a person is exposed to the concept of gambling, the more likely they are to develop problematic gambling behaviors. Studies have shown that people who start gambling at a young age are more likely to experience difficulties with controlling their gambling habits as they grow older. This is due, in large part, to the fact that the early exposure normalizes the idea of gambling. This can make it more difficult for the person to recognize the risks associated with it, and they may have trouble determining if their gambling behavior has reached a risky level.
Mental Health Disorders
Mental health disorders often occur alongside gambling addiction. People with conditions such as social anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), borderline personality disorder (BPD), and depression disorders are at a higher risk of developing gambling problems. These co-occurring disorders may drive individuals to seek out gambling as a way to cope with their symptoms or manage their emotions.
Get Help For Gambling Addiction at Cypress Lake Recovery
If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction to gambling, help is available. Cypress Lake Recovery provides comprehensive treatment programs for individuals dealing with gambling addiction, addressing both the psychological and behavioral aspects of the disorder. Through counseling, support groups, and personalized treatment plans, Cypress Lake Recovery helps individuals regain control of their lives and break free from the cycle of addiction.
For more information on our treatment programs, contact us today.
