Overview
Compulsive gambling, also known as gambling disorder, is an uncontrollable urge to continue gambling despite the negative impact it has on one's life. It involves the risk of valuables in the hope of obtaining something of greater value. Compulsive gambling can lead to addiction, as it stimulates the brain's reward system similarly to drugs or alcohol. Symptoms include preoccupation with gambling, need for increasing amounts of money to achieve the same thrill, difficulty controlling or quitting gambling, and using gambling to escape problems or negative emotions. Compulsive gambling can result in severe consequences such as relationship problems, financial difficulties, legal issues, poor health, and even suicide.
Understanding the disease
Symptoms
The symptoms of compulsive gambling include being preoccupied with gambling, needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money, trying to control or stop gambling without success, feeling restless or irritable when trying to cut down, gambling to escape problems, chasing losses, lying to hide the extent of gambling, risking or losing important relationships or opportunities due to gambling, and asking others to bail you out of financial trouble.
Risk Factors
The risk factors for developing compulsive gambling include family or friend influence, certain personality characteristics like being highly competitive, impulsive, restless, or easily bored, and medications used to treat Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome that have a rare side effect of causing compulsive behaviors. Mental health issues like substance misuse problems, personality disorders, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can also contribute to compulsive gambling. It is more common in younger and middle-aged people, with gambling during childhood or the teenage years increasing the risk. Compulsive gambling affects more men than women, although gambling patterns among men and women have become increasingly similar.
Development
Compulsive gambling develops as a result of a combination of biological, genetic, and environmental factors. The exact cause is not well understood, but certain risk factors are associated with compulsive gambling. These risk factors include mental health issues, age, sex, family or friend influence, and specific personality characteristics. Additionally, certain medications, such as dopamine agonists, can cause compulsive behaviors, including gambling in some people.
Assessment and Diagnosis
Triage
You should see a doctor or mental health professional if compulsive gambling is suspected, especially if you or a loved one is experiencing the following symptoms:
- Preoccupation with gambling: If gambling becomes the primary focus of your life, and you constantly plan gambling activities and ways to obtain more money for gambling.
- Increasing amounts of money: If you find yourself needing to gamble with larger amounts of money to achieve the same thrill or sense of excitement.
- Loss of control: If you try to cut back or stop gambling but are unsuccessful, indicating a loss of control over the behavior.
- Restlessness or irritability: If you experience restlessness or irritability when trying to cut down on gambling.
- Escape from problems: If you gamble to escape from personal problems, feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression.
- Chasing losses: If you gamble to try to recover lost money, often by gambling more.
- Lying or hiding behavior: If you lie to family members or others to hide the extent of your gambling, or if you engage in other deceptive behaviors to fund your gambling habit.
- Relationship, job, or financial problems: If gambling causes you to risk or lose important relationships, a job, or school or work opportunities.
- Financial bailouts: If you ask others to bail you out of financial trouble caused by gambling. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it is essential to seek professional help from a doctor or mental health professional.
Diagnosis
To diagnose compulsive gambling, you should first recognize if you have a problem with gambling and then consult with a health care provider or mental health professional. They will likely ask questions related to your gambling habits, review your medical history, and conduct a mental health assessment. The assessment will help determine if you have any mental health disorders related to excessive gambling. Remember, confidentiality laws may prevent your provider from sharing information without your consent. If you're seeking help for someone else, like a family member, you can encourage them to seek professional help, but ultimately, they need to be willing to participate in therapy.
Management and Treatment
Complications
Potential complications of compulsive gambling include: relationship problems, financial problems (including bankruptcy), legal problems or imprisonment, poor work performance or job loss, and poor general health. In some cases, compulsive gambling can also lead to suicide, suicide attempts, or suicidal thoughts. It is important to seek professional treatment if you or someone you know is struggling with compulsive gambling.
Home Remedies
There is no specific home remedy for compulsive gambling. Treatment for compulsive gambling typically involves a combination of therapy, support groups, and medication under the guidance of mental health professionals. It is important to seek help from a qualified healthcare provider or addiction specialist.
Treatment
Treatment for compulsive gambling typically involves a combination of therapy, support groups, and medication. The following general approaches can be considered:
- Psychotherapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is often used to treat compulsive gambling. This type of therapy helps individuals identify and change unhealthy thought patterns and behaviors associated with their gambling addiction. Other forms of therapy may include motivational interviewing and family therapy.
- Support Groups: Attending support groups, such as Gamblers Anonymous, can provide a supportive network of people who are going through similar experiences. Sharing stories and experiences can help individuals understand their addiction, learn coping skills, and maintain sobriety.
- Medications: While there are no specific medications for compulsive gambling, doctors may prescribe certain medications to help with related issues like depression, anxiety, or impulse control disorders. Antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and anti-anxiety medications may be considered. It's important to remember that recovering from compulsive gambling can be a long-term process and may require multiple approaches to treatment. Consult a mental health professional or addiction specialist to determine the best course of action for your specific situation.
Preparing for medical consultation
To prepare for an appointment for compulsive gambling, make a list of:
- All the feelings you're experiencing, even if they seem unrelated to your problem.
- Note what triggers your gambling.
- Whether you've tried to resist the urge to gamble and the effect that gambling has had on your life. It's important to be open and honest with your healthcare provider or mental health professional during the appointment, as they will assess your symptoms, thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns related to your gambling. Remember that seeking help is the first step towards regaining control and potentially healing any damaged relationships or finances.