American journalist and author Earl Wilsons, who was notorious for his gambling addiction quotes among other things, once said: “No horse can go as fast as the money you put on it.” Unfortunately, this is a concept lost on some gamblers.

Gambling is generally classified into three different categories: social, professional, and pathological. Social gambling is a widely acceptable pastime that doesn’t have any serious consequences. Meanwhile, professional gamblers tend to be disciplined individuals who rely on a combination of skill and luck to make a living.

Gambling addiction, however, is widely referred to as a disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of gambling that dominate a person’s life. A pathological gambler’s urge to bet gradually begins to dominate every aspect of his or her life. Addicts continue to engage in this behavior regardless of the toll that gambling takes on their finances and health.

The entertainment industry tends to downplay some of these consequences. Hollywood movies on gambling addiction often understate the severity of the problem. While it’s true that gambling is a legal form of entertainment in most countries, in individual cases it can result in addiction that affects entire families and society as a whole.

Today, there is no shortage of gambling activities to choose from. Technological advances have made it easier to access casino games, slot machines, and sportsbooks. This has given rise to new psychological phenomena like online gambling addiction, which is also linked to substance abuse problems, including alcohol and drugs. In some cases, pathological gamblers resort to criminal activity to finance their habit.

Pathological gambling can also lead to serious health problems, so early detection, prevention and appropriate professional treatment can limit long-term consequences. That’s why a growing number of clinicians and researchers are increasingly focused on how to stop a gambling addiction from evolving. Traditionally, the scientific community was a lot more focused on alcoholism, drug habits, and nicotine addiction. Today, the concept of addiction encompasses everything from compulsive gambling to preoccupation with online activities.

The rise of online gambling and easy access to games are only fuelling the public’s concerns over gambling issues. According to gambling addiction facts, the disorder affects between 0.2% and 5.3% of adults worldwide, with only 10% of gamblers seeking professional treatment. In addition to substance abuse, gambling disorders are also commonly linked to antisocial behavior, which is why additional research about its causes and consequences is crucial.

So, what exactly is a gambling addiction? The best way to answer this question is to look at the concept of pathological gambling. This is a disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to gamble, which can have serious repercussions on an individual’s finances, as well as their mental and physical health.

It triggers the brain’s “reward system,” which is linked to pleasure and motivation centers and releases dopamine. Since there are no obvious physical gambling addiction symptoms, the disorder is often referred to as a hidden illness. But for those struggling with compulsive gambling, the consequences are very real.

Their urge to gamble often leads to a vicious cycle of losses, the constant accumulation of debt, a dysfunctional family life, loss of friends, and problems at work. As a result, a gambler may resort to the use of cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs, paving the way for multiple addictions. In these cases, professional help needs to go beyond gambling addiction treatment.

Modern research on compulsive gambling shows that there is a correlation between pathological gambling and criminal behavior. Problem gamblers are prone to committing embezzlement and fraud and engaging in a number of other criminal activities in order to secure money for their harmful habit. Since pathological gambling is a complex biopsychosocial disorder, the etiology of which is still being investigated, overcoming gambling addiction has to become more of a priority.

Definition and symptomatology of pathological/problem gambling

Gambling addiction affects every facet of an individual’s life. We wish it were as simple as saying: “If you think you have a problem, don’t gamble.” But there are many similarities between pathological gambling and other addiction disorders that are reflected in the loss of control, a dysfunctional family, professional and social life, withdrawal syndrome, stigmatization, and of course a lack of determination and motivation for treatment.

There are also unrealistic fantasies about influence and success, cognitive distortions (errors in the interpretation and processing of reality that most often lead to negative and wrong conclusions), or irrational behavior that is contrary to common sense.

But unlike with substance abuse, signs of gambling addiction cannot be identified through biological tests. Additionally, self-restraint is more difficult, and financial problems are created much more quickly. Pathological gambling is made all the more complex through a combination of other factors, including sociocultural ones, as well as symptoms that are associated with other mental disorders.

In the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, pathological gambling is listed as an impulse control disorder, which is defined as the inability to refrain from behavior that is harmful to both the individual and others, and which is usually accompanied by pleasure.

Warning signs of gambling addiction may include the absence of resistance to impulse or temptation to perform a harmful act. The disorder is characterized by increased levels of tension and excitement before the act itself, followed by a feeling of satisfaction. In some cases, individuals later feel a sense of regret and remorse.

But this isn’t always easy to spot because these gambling addiction signs are usually accompanied by a great deal of focus on secrecy. In many cases, compulsive gambling is also characterized by low self-esteem.

Those suffering from gambling addiction are broadly classified into two categories: escape gamblers and action gamblers. Based on this classification and specific traits of both types, it’s easier to recognize a compulsive gambler and provide adequate gambling addiction help.

Action gamblers prefer games that require skill and beating the odds, such as poker. Generally extroverted, these individuals are domineering and highly manipulative. Escape gamblers, on the other hand, perceive gambling as an escape from reality and usually appear detached, despondent, and unsociable. The American Psychiatric Association identifies several key signs of addiction. So, make sure you check out the list below if you are among those asking the question: How to stop my gambling addiction?

• Preoccupation with gambling, such as constantly planning how to get more money
• The need to increase the amount of money/stakes in order to experience more excitement
• Unsuccessful attempts at stopping gambling
• Feelings of restlessness or irritability when trying to cut down on gambling
• Gambling as an escape from a problem or a way to alleviate feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety or depression
• Attempt to recover lost money by gambling more (chasing losses)
• Lying to family members/friends to hide gambling habits
• Endangering or losing important relationships, a job, work/school opportunities
• Asking others for financial help to resolve problems caused by gambling

Of course, there are other ways to spot people addicted to gambling. Pathological gambling often causes a multitude of emotional symptoms, which may vary and can even include suicidal thoughts and tendencies.

Physical symptoms that are characteristic of a pathological gambler may include sleep deprivation, pale skin, weight gain/loss, and acne. Similarly to other addictions, this disorder destroys the psychophysical structure of addicts. There are numerous gambling addiction stories about people who tried to end their lives as a result of feeling complete hopelessness.

Causes and risk factors

Nowadays, gambling opportunities are not hard to find. You can gamble online or go to the store and buy a lottery ticket. You can visit a local bookmaker or a casino. In some cases, this is promoted by loneliness, boredom, financial problems, traumatic experiences, or even existing addictions, such as alcohol or drugs.

Both research and gambling addiction forums (like gamblingtherapy.org) show that stories of gambling disorders differ from one person to another. Some pathological gamblers were initially driven by earnings, others started because it was a good distraction from other emotional or physical problems, and many had a compulsive craving for excitement.

The factors driving someone to gamble compulsively are still not fully understood, and different models for the treatment of gambling addiction are still being explored. The general consensus is that gambling addiction is the product of a combination of genetic and social factors.

Although many people play cards or bet on horse races or sports for leisure, most never develop a gambling disorder. Meanwhile, others develop an addiction due to certain factors. People who suffer from compulsive gambling often have symptoms of a personality disorder, clinical depression, anxiety, or PTSD symptoms.

Compulsive gambling is also associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, especially in cases of child gambling and addiction. Compulsive gambling is more prominent in younger and middle-aged people. It has always been more common in men than women, but recent years have seen an increase in the number of female gambling addicts. It’s important to remember that family, friends, and our work environment have a great impact on the development of addictive disorders.

Interestingly, certain drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease also have side effects that can lead to compulsive behavior in some people. Furthermore, the risk of gambling addiction may be increased by certain endogenous factors and personal predispositions. Personality traits, like an impulsive temperament, a restless character, or inconsistent habits can all make an individual more vulnerable to developing a gambling disorder.

A common feature of pathological gamblers is their interpersonal style, which is manipulative, with a tendency to be in the center of attention. As described in a number of gambling addiction books, pathological gamblers are characterized by a permanent need for the “world to revolve around them.” They need to be admired, adored, and respected by everyone. This usually leads to a distorted perception of reality because they perceive money as the magic key that opens all doors.

The purpose of professional therapies in the treatment for gambling addicts is to try to detect and block the psychological factors that drive people to gamble, as well as to include relaxation techniques and avoid stimuli associated with gambling. When it comes to preventing compulsive gambling, adequate solutions do exist.

How to stop a gambling addiction

The prevention of compulsive gambling can be split into three categories: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary prevention should be implemented in schools with the entire population of students. The best results are achieved by peer education among young high school students. They show great interest in this area and meet friends who are addicted to gambling on a daily basis. It’s necessary to train educators to work with young people and provide initial gambling help.

Secondary prevention applies to people who have already had experiences with gambling. It may involve gambling addiction counseling (provided by a psychologist or neuropsychiatrist) or a gambling hotline (like the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network).

Tertiary prevention applies to severe cases of addiction that require long-term treatment from people trained to work with gambling addicts. These programs/treatments are performed exclusively in organizations and institutions that deal with pathological/compulsive gambling.

That said, there is a lack of general knowledge about compulsive gambling in adolescents and young adults, and many can’t identify the ways in which they cross the line to become compulsive gamblers. In other words, more work is needed for overcoming gambling addiction once it develops. Young people need to be educated about the pitfalls of gambling and the challenges typically associated with addiction and gambling rehab.

Timely and adequate help for gamblers can aid them in recognizing an excessive desire to gamble, which can easily lead to problem gambling. Problem gambling cannot be controlled. It becomes an obsession, with entire days revolving around securing cash for the next bet. The problem is difficult to treat, with diverse treatment options that may fail with some people.

Gambling addiction statistics show that one in 20 college students meet the criteria for compulsive gambling, which points to a worrying trend. This may be the result of easier access to gambling forums through the internet. A number of studies show that 23% of college students gamble online, with 6% gambling on a weekly basis.

Compulsive gambling also affects families, with parents being more prone to domestic violence and child abuse. In addition, as many as two-thirds of compulsive gamblers report committing crimes related to their gambling. That’s why medical professionals, social services, the education system, and policy-makers are increasingly focused on exploring avenues to treat gambling disorders.

If you’ve ever wondered how to help someone with a gambling addiction, the first things to consider are the individual’s physiological characteristics, because methods that have proved effective for some gamblers may not be effective for others. The key factor in the healing and rehab process is the addict’s degree of motivation.

Help for gamblers is available, but the process itself requires enormous energy in an effort to reconnect with a healthier lifestyle that’s free of gambling and despair. The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling emphasizes that the developmental path of addiction varies from one individual to another, especially when it comes to slot machines, sports gambling addiction, or online gambling addiction in general, which are considered continuous forms of gambling.

Individuals engaged in these gambling activities can develop symptoms of compulsion in less than a year. Meanwhile, those betting on horse races or playing card games, typically associated with natural breaks in play, take longer to develop an addiction. The key to overcoming a gambling addiction is to realize the existence of a problem.

It requires enormous strength, energy, and courage to reach this level of awareness, especially for those who have already lost a lot of money. Whatever the form of addiction, gambling addiction rehab should not be a solitary journey – many people have been through this and managed to break the habit and rebuild their lives.

Many recovery programs have a high rate of dropouts and relapses. Self-help may be a brave step, but it can ultimately dissuade the addict’s efforts to change unhealthy behavior and thinking. Therefore, therapeutic approaches like psychotherapy (family therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy), medication, and support groups are highly recommended.

A combination of more than one of these approaches probably represents the most effective way to recover from addictive gambling. In many respects, treatment for gambling addiction is similar to that of alcohol addiction, involving a combination of self-help, medication, counseling, and support groups that are available in many gambling addiction treatment centers.