In 2016, the North American Foundation for Gambling Addiction Help conducted a study and found that approximately 2.6% of US citizens suffer from gambling addiction. This is approximately 10 million people — an army of addicted gamblers, can you imagine that? Every day they try to fight the temptation to spend the rest of their money in casinos. For some, this problem is mild, while others are close to despair. Let’s look at a few examples.

 

Imagine Roger, a young clerk who cannot live without 3-5 online poker rounds before bedtime. Of course, this is a kind of deviation, but so far it doesn't pose a direct threat to Roger’s life and social status.

 

On the other hand, let's imagine Mark. He is so addicted to gambling that he was kicked out of his family and lost his job. Now, he is tormented by insomnia and manic depression. This condition can even lead to suicide, and here we see a direct threat to the health and life of Mark.

 

Both Mark and Roger are addicts. However, they are at different stages of the disorder. So, how dangerous is gambling addiction? How can you spot the problem? And most importantly, what measures should you take to curb it before it’s too late?

How people become addicted to gambling

There is a number of factors that make a person addicted to gambling. Let's look at the most common of them.

 

• Early success. This is one of the most powerful factors that drag players into a quagmire. Big wins at the very beginning of a “career” make the players believe that they will be able to achieve success again and again. Even after a long series of unsuccessful attempts, the gamblers continue to play because they know that they will definitely be lucky again.

 

• Simple access to gambling. The second most important factor that fuels problem gambling is instant access to casinos. No matter how hard the states are trying to legislatively restrict the industry, access to gambling is still very easy. This is due to the rise of online and mobile casinos.

 

• Stress and depression. Just like with alcohol or drugs, many opt for gambling to forget about their daily problems. People who have experienced a lot of stress such as the death of the close ones, divorce or job loss, often choose gambling as one of the most affordable methods to escape reality. This problem makes a person addicted in a very short time.

 

• Lack of balance tracking. Keeping track of the wins and losses is extremely important because if the gambler runs short of money, they should be aware of this in time. Nevertheless, many people forget about money management simply because they don’t want to know how much they have lost.

Gambling addiction symptoms

There are a lot of symptoms that will help you understand whether a person is addicted to gambling or not. Many of them are similar to the symptoms of alcohol or drug addiction, so you do not need to possess special knowledge to recognize them. If you notice at least a few of them in your friend, colleague or relative, you should discuss this situation, or even ask for professional help.

 

1. A person diligently hides their gambling activity. In other words, they become more secretive and hide their enthusiasm for gambling. This is one of the first symptoms because a person understands that this activity is getting deviant. So, they want to hide it from relatives or colleagues.
2. A person continues playing even when they run out of money. Sudden attempts to apply for bank loans, or borrow money from friends and family — these are also signs of addiction. If you notice that such behavior gets typical of a person who had no problems with money earlier, this is a sure signal to talk to them.
3. Lack of control over the game. An addicted person often ceases to control their bets and expenses, and cannot even remember how and when they spent the last money.
4. Irritation and nervousness when access to gambling is limited. Suppose, you have identified the problem gambler and even forced this person to stay away from gambling. The annoyance in the first days after quitting is quite natural. However, if negative emotions intensify over time, this is a sure sign of a serious addiction.
5. Vicious circle. Simply put, the gambler’s endless promises and attempts to stop playing are followed by a return to the game, disappointment, and new attempts to quit.
6. A concern of the loved ones. This symptom can be noticed by the addicts themselves at the early stages. If you are a player, and you see that your close ones are seriously worried about your condition, try to honestly admit your problem and start the process of overcoming your addiction.

How dangerous is gambling addiction?

Obviously, it is very dangerous. The most evident and, at the same time, the most common problems caused by gambling addiction are:

 

• Financial difficulties. Obviously, players spend a lot of money when gambling. Once they run out of money, they start borrowing or even stealing money from friends, colleagues, and family. Addiction also leads to ignoring the work-related duties, which in turn results in job loss and the loss of stable income.
• Family crisis. A gambling addict is always unreliable. The person’s behavior gets unpredictable, and compulsive lying affects trust in their relationship with family members.
• Health problems. Moreover, gambling addiction results in both physical and mental issues. Due to the above-mentioned financial and family-related problems, pathological gamblers find themselves lonely and highly depressed without a penny in their pockets. This situation leads to serious psychological disorders, deep depression, and even suicide attempts.

Is there any treatment?

Of course. Treatment can be divided into three main types — therapy, medications, and relief groups. Therapy helps the addicted to get rid of their negative thinking and accept the fact that they need assistance. This is the first step to effective treatment.

 

Medications include treatment with antidepressants and relaxants. Pills can help to curb the strongest and most vivid symptoms, reduce aggression and desire to play.

 

Relief groups are the last stage of treatment. They help the affected people recover from the crisis after therapy and medicine. Sometimes, it's enough just to talk to someone who understands you.

 

However, it is worth remembering that the most effective therapy is the prevention of the disease. Don't waste your time if you notice the aforementioned symptoms in your loved ones, talk to them. Don't abandon them and do not be aggressive. Such an attitude will only make the problem gambler get deeper into addiction. Be patient and persistent in your desire to help.

• Julia Beyers
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