Gambling Addiction
How to help someone with a gambling addiction? Information on causes, symptoms, treatments, and some tips for identifying gambling disorder.
Symptoms and Causes
Gambling addiction, or pathological gambling, is a disorder recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) since 1992. It causes an uncontrollable urge to gamble money due to impaired impulse control. In recent years, with the emergence of online gambling platforms, it has become the most commonly treated non-substance addiction in medical centers.
Pathological gambling, when it reaches its more advanced stages, affects every aspect of the individual's life, as it leads to deterioration in their finances and work performance, as well as in their family and social relationships.
Symptoms
Each person expresses their gambling addiction differently, but there are several symptoms that are commonly observed:
- Obsession with gambling, with all activities revolving around betting.
- Inability to stop gambling, even when trying to do so.
- Withdrawal symptoms: mood swings, nervousness, and irritability during periods without gambling.
- Increasing amounts of money spent on gambling.
- Use of gambling as an escape from problems.
- Concealing the addiction.
- Loss of relationships, jobs, or academic performance.
Causes
The causes of gambling addiction remain unknown, although it is believed that, as with other addictions, a combination of biological factors (such as imbalances in neurotransmitters), psychological factors (impulsivity, sensation-seeking, etc.), and environmental factors (modeling, normalization of gambling behavior, etc.) may contribute.
Risk Factors
Some of the factors that increase the likelihood of developing gambling addiction include:
- Family history of gambling problems.
- Early exposure to gambling.
- Male gender.
- Certain personality traits such as impulsivity or competitiveness.
- Mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, or work-related stress.
- Low income.
- Substance abuse, including alcohol and drugs.
Complications
The most common complications of pathological gambling are:
- Deterioration of family and social relationships due to the conflictive behavior of the gambler.
- Development of other addictions.
- Major debt or bankruptcy.
- Job loss.
- Dropping out of school.
- Risk-taking behaviors to obtain more money for gambling.
- Legal problems.
- Suicide attempts.
Prevention
Some recommendations to help prevent gambling addiction, especially in children and adolescents, include:
- Refraining from participating in gambling activities to set a good example.
- Openly discussing the short- and long-term dangers of gambling.
- Avoiding normalization of gambling.
- Raising awareness about the value of money.
What kind of doctor treats gambling addiction?
Gambling addiction is a disorder diagnosed and treated by clinical psychologists and psychiatrists.
Diagnosis
To diagnose gambling addiction, specialists conduct a psychological evaluation based on the criteria outlined in the DSM-IV-TR Diagnostic Manual and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). According to these guidelines, a person is considered to have gambling addiction if the following criteria are met:
- Maladaptive, persistent, and recurrent gambling behavior.
- At least two gambling episodes within one year that provide no economic benefit.
- An intense, uncontrollable urge to gamble.
- Mental imagery related to gambling behavior.
Treatment
Treatment for gambling addiction typically involves a combination of approaches. The most effective ones, once the patient has acknowledged their addiction, include:
- Psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): provides tools to resist the urge to gamble, identify negative thought patterns, and promote positive attitudes.
- Pharmacological treatment: there are no specific medications to control gambling addiction, but antidepressants, anxiolytics, and mood stabilizers can help improve behavior.
- Group therapy or self-help groups: sharing experiences with others affected by the same disorder helps individuals face their own challenges.
