Problem Gambling and Gambling Addiction

Gambling addiction is a type of behavioral addiction that can have serious consequences for a person's life and relationships. However, because some people gamble professionally or as a hobby, it can sometimes be challenging to distinguish between social or professional gambling and problem gambling.

Types of Gamblers

There are three common types of gamblers:

• The professional gambler: Someone who uses skill to make money as a gambler
• The social gambler: Someone who gambles for fun and recreation
• The problem gambler: Someone who experiences negative consequences due to their preoccupation with gambling
  

Professional gamblers are the rarest form of gambler and depend on games of skills rather than luck to make money. They have full control over the time, money, and energy they spend on gambling.

Social gamblers consider gambling to be a valid form of recreational activity and maintain full control over the time, money, and energy they expend on gambling. They consider the cost of gambling to be payment for entertainment.

What Is Problem Gambling and Gambling Addiction?

Problem gambling involves the continued involvement in gambling activities, despite negative consequences. Gamblers can have a problem without being totally out of control. Problem gambling is any gambling behavior that disrupts your life.

Gambling addiction is an impulse-control disorder in which sufferers cannot control the impulse to gamble despite the fact that it is causing problems in their lives and the lives of their loved ones.

Signs of a Gambling Problem

While there are no obvious symptoms or physical signs of gambling addiction as there are in other types of addictions such as drug and alcohol, there are some red flags that signal a problem: 

• Feeling the need to be secretive about gambling. 
• Feeling a high or thrill from making big bets
• Using gambling as a way to escape life's challenges
• Gambling even when money is not available and accumulating debt
• Having family and friends who worry about your gambling. 
• Continuing to gamble despite the consequences. 
• Having another behavior or mood disorder. 

What Causes Gambling Problems?

Often, many things contribute to a gambling addiction, including biological, genetic and environmental factor.

Addicted gamblers may notice they feel desperate for money, get a thrill or high from gambling, seek the social status of a successful gambler, and have other mood and behavior disorders that contribute to or result from their gambling addiction. 

Some factors that can increase the risk of developing a gambling problem include:

• Genetics and family history: Inherited factors may increase a person's risk of developing an addiction. Having an immediate family member with a compulsive gambling problem can also increase this risk.
• Other mental health conditions: Research suggests that many people with gambling problems also have other psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety, mood disorders, personality disorders, or substance use disorders.
• Personality traits: Having certain personality traits, such as being impulsive, easily bored, or highly competitive, can make it more likely that a person will develop a gambling problem.

Treatment for Problem Gambling

Like other addictions, breaking the cycle of gambling addiction can be very difficult. Feeling like you may be able to win back the money you've lost may fuel the problem. While quitting gambling is not easy, it can be done. There are three main methods of helping patients overcome gambling addiction. They include: 

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, focuses on teaching skills to change the thoughts and behaviors that lead to gambling. Research suggests that CBT can be an effective treatment.

Medications

Medications such as antidepressants and mood stabilizers may be helpful for patients who have other psychiatric disorders that accompany their gambling problems, like depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or ADHD.

In addition, certain medications known as narcotic antagonists that have been found useful in treating substance abuse may also be helpful in treating some patients with gambling addiction.

Support Groups

Self-help groups, such as Gamblers Anonymous, can be an extremely helpful part of treatment as well as prevent relapse. 

Takeaways

Not all forms of gambling are problems or represent an addiction. Social and professional gamblers may gamble for fun or profit, but they are able to control their behavior and are not preoccupied with gambling. Gambling problems, on the other hand, involve being unable to control thoughts or behaviors related to gambling and continuing to gamble despite the negative consequences.

If you or someone you love has a problem with gambling, it is important to talk to a licensed mental health professional. They can recommend effective treatments that can help you manage your behavior. You may also find it helpful to talk to a financial counselor for guidance about how to deal with the financial repercussions of your gambling.