Gambling affects the brain’s reward system, triggering feelings of pleasure when you win due to the release of dopamine. This biological drive for pleasure-seeking can spiral into a cycle where the pursuit of positive experiences becomes all-consuming. Over time, this can lead to a heightened and unhealthy need for gambling to maintain the same level of satisfaction as your brain becomes desensitised to its effects. Thus, more gambling is required to achieve the desired outcome.
Gambling Addiction
For many individuals, gambling starts innocuously and as harmless fun – perhaps a casual bet with friends or a visit to the casino for entertainment. However, when the thrill of gambling begins to overshadow all other aspects of life, it morphs into a perilous dependency.
What is gambling addiction?
Gambling addiction, also known as problem gambling, is characterised by a compulsion to gamble, regardless of the negative financial, legal, and social impacts it can entail, coupled with the inability to regulate one’s gambling behaviour. It encompasses various forms of gambling, spanning from traditional casino games, horse racing, and scratchcards to the ever-accessible realm of online gambling, where enticing promises of swift riches abound.
What are the causes? Can anyone develop an addiction to gambling?
There is no single cause of any type of addictive behaviour – addiction is a very complex condition. It is a thin line between the harmless fun of a bet among friends and developing the urge to seek out gambling opportunities repetitively. While we all can cross this line, even if we consider ourselves responsible and dependable, some factors are linked to a higher risk of compulsive gambling.
These include:
Biological factors
Genetic factors
Familial tendencies for gambling disorder do exist, hinting at a genetic connection. Research on identical twins further underscores that genetic factors may play a larger role in the development of gambling disorders compared to environmental influences.
Personality traits
Numerous studies indicate that individuals with gambling disorder tend to exhibit specific traits or behaviours in the following areas[i]:
- Impulsivity
- Feeling of isolation
- Boredom and a desire to seek sensations
- Compulsivity
- Challenges with decision-making and planning
- Rapid shifts in mood (affective instability)
Co-occurring mental health conditions
In addition, those struggling with gambling addiction often experience coexisting mental health conditions, such as
- Underlying stress associated with challenging life circumstances
- Substance use disorder, particularly alcohol abuse
- Impulse control disorders
- Mood disorders, such as depression or anxiety
These conditions may precede the onset of compulsive gambling behaviour or emerge subsequently.
Do I have a gambling problem? What are the signs?
Unlike addictions tied to drugs or alcohol, problem gambling lacks clear physical manifestations, instead relying on psychological dependence. The thrill of gambling, rooted in risk-taking, triggers a natural high similar to the effects of stimulant drugs like amphetamines or cocaine. Consequently, as the symptomatology of gambling addiction mirrors that of substance use disorders, specific behaviours act as red flags, signalling a potential gambling problem:
- You are preoccupied with gambling, such as persistently thinking about past gambling experiences, planning the next game, or devising ways to obtain money for the next bet.
- You neglect obligations at work, school, home or socially to dedicate more time to gambling.
- You are unable to manage urges to gamble even when the odds are against you.
- You feel restless and irritable when trying to reduce or quit gambling.
- You gamble money you don’t have.
- You have to sell possessions to alleviate debts or resort to stealing money to place bets to “get even”.
- You lie about the extent of your gambling, or try to prevent others from finding out about it.
- If you lie, steal, or sell your possessions so you can gamble then you need to get help quickly.
NEOVIVA’s approach to gambling addiction treatment
Counselling and psychotherapy can assist you in overcoming gambling addiction and addressing the underlying circumstances that contributed to its development. At NEOVIVA, our therapeutic programme targets both your addiction itself and any associated underlying social and psychological issues. Understanding the root causes of the addiction and identifying other stresses or problems you may be attempting to avoid are crucial aspects of our approach. This exploration occurs through group therapy, one-on-one sessions, and participation in fellowship programmes. Additionally, we will aid you in constructing a personalised toolbox of techniques and resources to regain control over your gambling, manage stress healthily, explore more balanced ways to utilize your time, mend relationships with loved ones, and sustain your recovery. Contact our Client Relations Team to discover more about the support we provide.
[i] Dudfield, F.W.H., Malouff, J.M. & Meynadier, J. The Association between the Five-factor Model of Personality and Problem Gambling: a Meta-analysis. J Gambl Stud 39, 669–687 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-022-10119-5. Accessed 13 Feb 2024. Brunborg, G. S., Hanss, D., Mentzoni, R. A., Mold, H., and Pallesen, S. (2016). Problem gambling and the five-factor model of personality: a large population-based study. Addiction 111, 1428–1435. doi: 10.1111/add.13388, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27000432/ . Accessed 13 Feb 2024.