This article talks about the problems that come with having a gambling problem. You can read here about the symptoms, what causes them, and how to treat them.
Most people like to gamble in casinos, bet on sports, play the lottery, or play bingo because it's fun and exciting. However, for some people, gambling can become an addiction and a distraction. Statistics show that 85% of adults in the US gamble in some way every year, but between 2% and 3% of them will develop a problem, and 1% of them will be diagnosed as pathological gamblers.
Where can you tell the difference between gambling for fun and gambling too much? How can you tell if you or someone you know gambles too much? You can find answers to these and other questions about problem gambling and gambling addiction on this page.
What does it mean to have a gambling problem?
Problem gambling, also called compulsive gambling, is when a person can't stop wanting to gamble, even though it hurts their life and makes them feel guilty and bad. Problem gambling usually hurts the gambler's finances, relationships, and day-to-day life. Pathological gambling is a term for very bad cases of problem gambling.
Am I a gambler who can't stop?
- Has your gambling habit ever caused you to lie to your friends or family?
- Do you gamble to make up for money you've lost or debts you owe?
- Have you ever needed to borrow money to keep betting?
- Have you ever skipped work or something else you had to do to gamble?
- Do you often gamble to forget about your problems or to celebrate good times?
- Does gambling hurt your day-to-day life or your relationships?
- Do you gamble until your last penny runs out?
If you said "yes" to at least one of the above questions, you have a problem.
Can anyone become a gambler who can't stop?
Yes, at least in theory. Any gambler can develop a problem with gambling, no matter what kind of gambling he does or how much money or time he spends on it. Researchers have found that slot machines, which you can find in bars and convenience stores, are the most addictive type of gambling. On the other end of the scale are lottery draws and bingo games. Addiction to gambling is an emotional problem with symptoms, causes, and treatments that are the same as any other addiction.
How do I treat an addiction to gambling?
- Therapy in a group:
Gamblers Anonymous has a self-help programme with 12 steps, which is similar to what Alcoholics Anonymous has. Group therapy also gives people who are addicted to gambling advice and support from counsellors and other addicts who are in different stages of their recovery. More than 1,200 places across the country have Gamblers Anonymous centres.
- Therapy for one person:
Cognitive or behaviour therapy can help people who are addicted to gambling figure out their uncontrollable ways of thinking and acting that led them to gamble compulsively and replace them with better ways of thinking that they can control.
- Medication for mental health:
Antidepressants in the family of SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, have recently been shown to help people who are addicted to gambling.
