Gambling starts as a thrill and a way for us to unwind, have fun, and maybe even win some extra cash. However, for some of us, this thrill can become an uncontrollable urge, which can lead to what we call gambling addiction.
If you or someone close to you is having a gambling problem, don’t lose hope. There’s a wide range of treatment options available to help you overcome this extraordinary condition. But before we talk about recovery, let’s first take a look at what causes gambling addiction or problem gambling so we can understand this illness better.
Understanding Gambling Addiction
Gambling addiction, also known as compulsive gambling or gambling disorder, is a condition that involves a pattern of ongoing betting and wagering that continues even though it causes significant problems in major areas of our lives.
Contrary to the beliefs of others, this type of addiction is not just about the money. It’s about emotions, habits, and even the way our brains are wired. Some of us gamble to escape stress, while others chase that euphoric high of winning.
But no matter how it starts, when gambling affects our relationships, finances, and mental health, it becomes a serious concern.
What Causes Gambling Addiction?
Data from several research studies and clinical studies in the past years show that gambling addiction is caused by some, if not all, of the following:
Brain Reward System
Considering that our brains are wired to seek pleasure when we gamble, it releases certain chemicals, such as dopamine, that give us joy and pleasure, similar to when we eat our favourite food or accomplish something exciting.
Since the experience of winning in every game can give us an intense rush, our brain craves it and pushes us to gamble more and more to feel the same excitement. This increases the risk of developing a gambling habit that’s difficult to overcome.
Escaping Stress
We experience a lot of challenges that life throws at us. It could be stress from work, financial worries, relationship problems, or even traumas. Some of us use gambling as an escape because, for a little, we don’t have to think about our problems.
However, once the game is over, reality kicks in, which is heavier than before, so we gamble again and try to push the stress away. This creates a cycle that deepens the addiction.
Illusion of Control and Chasing Losses
Have you ever felt like you were so close to winning and needed one more try? That’s what we call the illusion of control or the belief that if we play a little smarter or wait for the right moment, we can win back what we’ve lost.
This belief is dangerous because it keeps us chasing losses. Instead of walking away, we try to resolve the situation by gambling even more. However, the more we chase, the deeper we sink, which increases the risk of addiction.
Easy Access to Gambling
In today’s world, gambling can be found almost everywhere. There are online casinos, sports betting apps, and lottery tickets which are all just a few clicks or steps away. The easier it is to gamble, it’s harder for us to resist the temptation.
Financial Struggles
For some of us, gambling starts as a way to make extra money. But gambling can feel like the only way out when losses pile up. However, this only leads to deeper financial struggles. The more we try to gamble our way out, the worse our situation becomes.
Co-Occurring Disorders
Many of us who struggle with gambling addiction are also dealing with other mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, and even personality disorder. Considering the distress that these conditions could bring to our day-to-day lives, gambling becomes a way to cope, numb, or serve as a distraction to give us a moment of relief.
Other Risk Factors for Developing Gambling Addiction
While gambling addiction can affect anyone, there are other factors that can make some of us more vulnerable than others.
Personality Traits
Some of us are naturally seeking for thrills, taking risks, or struggling with self-control. If you’re the type of person who tends to act impulsively or craves excitement, gambling can feel irresistible. The quick highs and potential for big wins can hook you and increase your risk of developing a gambling problem that can become an addiction.
Social Influence and Peer Pressure
When our friends, family, or co-workers gamble regularly, it can feel normal or even expected for us to join in. If people around you make big bets or share exciting wins, it’s easy for you to fall into the same patterns, especially if you want to fit in.
Early Exposure to Gambling
If you were growing up in a household or community where gambling is normal or even encouraged, it can make it feel like a harmless activity. If you start gambling as a teen or young adult, you may not recognise the risks of developing a gambling problem, and you could develop habits that turn into addiction over time.
Cultural and Media Influence
Our society often glamorises gambling through movies, ads, and celebrity endorsements. When gambling is seen as fun or an easy way to get rich, people are more likely to try it.
Lack of Alternative Activities
If gambling is the only exciting thing you have to spend your free time, then it becomes your go-to activity. When you don’t have any hobbies or other meaningful ways to spend time, gambling can easily fill this gap and its addictive power could trap you.
How to Cope With a Gambling Problem
Although it’s difficult to manage gambling behaviour, especially if it has taken hold of your life, there are ways how to cope with it.
Acknowledge Your Problem
One of the hardest steps is admitting that gambling has become a problem. But once you can acknowledge it, you take back your power. Remember that facing the truth is never sign a of weakness but a sign of strength.
Identify Your Triggers
Sometimes, the behaviour of people with gambling addiction is driven by stress, boredom, or simply the thrill it provides. Once you’re able to understand what pushes you towards gambling, you can already begin working on healthier ways to deal with those feelings.
Manage Your Finances Wisely
To help you overcome gambling addiction, you’ll need to take control of your money and manage your finances wisely. You can consider letting someone you trust help you manage them or set up blocks that prevent gambling-related transactions. The idea here is that the less access you have, the easier it becomes for you to resist.
Develop Healthier Coping Techniques
Gambling is often linked as a way to deal with daily stressors. Hence, finding new ways to relieve stress and fill your time, such as exercise, journalling, meditation, or even picking up an old hobby, can give you the same sense of excitement and fulfilment.
Seek Professional Help
You don’t need to wait until gambling controls your life. As early as you notice a sign that your gambling behaviour increases, take action and seek professional treatment.
Gambling Addiction Treatment Programme
Overcoming gambling addiction requires a combination of interventions that fit your specific needs. Treatment options can range from therapy, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), which helps you replace irrational thought patterns associated with gambling, to support groups like Gamblers Anonymous, where you can connect with others who face similar challenges and can understand your struggle.
For some people, medication may help manage other symptoms associated with gambling addiction such as anxiety, depression, or impulse control problems.
Get Treatment To Overcome Gambling Disorder
If you feel trapped in gambling addiction, know that structured treatment programmes here at The Orchid can provide you with a real path forward. Therapies, medication, and support groups can all play a role in your recovery.
Remember that life is not about the money lost or the mistakes you’ve made. It’s about what comes next. And right now, you have the power to choose a different path.
There’s a future waiting for you, one where gambling no longer has control.
