Currently, Gambling addiction is a serious brain disease. It can affect how a person develops a fetish for various forms of gambling. In some cases, it is inseparable and often dangerous. Unfortunately, the addicts put gambling activities at the top of their priority list. Because gambling can cause depression, anxiety and self-harming tendencies, several physical signs are to be watched out for. Depression and anxiety sometimes lead to sleep deprivation, which may result in pale skin, weight gain or weight loss, acne and dark circles under the eyes. Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of a Gambling Addiction. Compulsive gambling is more common in younger and middle-aged people. Gambling during childhood or the teenage years increases the risk of developing compulsive gambling. However, compulsive gambling in the older adult population can also be a problem. Compulsive gambling is more common in men than women. Gambling: Why Can’t I Stop? One reason why gambling is hard to stop is because it affects your brain. Gambling is like pressing the gas pedal of your car. Your brain’s reward hub ‘fires up’ as you think about a win. Restless or irritable when trying to cut down on or stop gambling. Repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back on or stop gambling. Frequent thoughts about gambling (such as reliving past gambling experiences, planning the next gambling venture, thinking of ways to get money to gamble). Often gambling when feeling distressed.

Gambling addiction can be split into two categories: problem gambling and pathological gambling. 1% of the United States population are pathological gamblers while an additional 2-3% are problem gamblers. Though the percentages may seem small, when you take the 318.9 million people in America, 1-4% of the population is between 3 million and 13 million people. Looking at those numbers, the prevalence of gambling addiction seems a bit scarier.

You might be curious what exactly constitutes a gambling addiction? If you have never been around someone who struggles with it, it may seem like a foreign concept. Compared to the 1-2% who have a gambling addiction, 86% of Americans report having gambled. A large percentage of the population experiences little to no desire to continue.

Many people scoff at the idea of what they may consider “throwing money away” at the card tables and flashing machines in smoke-stuffed casinos across the nation. However, for those with a gambling addiction, it’s not as simple as “just walking away from the game.”

What is gambling addiction?

In 2013, the 5th Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association, added gambling addiction to their text. Officially called “Gambling Disorder” in the DSM-5, the text diagnoses it as:

1. Need to gamble with increasing amount of money to achieve the desired excitement.
2. Restless or irritable when trying to cut down on or stop gambling.
3. Repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back on or stop gambling.
4. Frequent thoughts about gambling (such as reliving past gambling experiences, planning the next gambling venture, thinking of ways to get money to gamble).
5. Often gambling when feeling distressed.
6. After losing money gambling, often returning to get even (referred to as “chasing” one’s losses).
7. Lying to conceal gambling activity.
8. Jeopardizing or losing a significant relationship, job or educational/career opportunity because of gambling.
9. Relying on others to help with money problems caused by gambling.

As you can see from those criteria, gambling addiction is not as simple as getting stuck at a table for a few hands of Texas Holdem. Those with a Gambling Disorder have a serious inability to stop gambling, despite the impact it is having on an individual’s life.

Some individuals with a gambling addiction experience periods where their symptoms are less severe and it may even appear that the problem has disappeared entirely. However, before long the addiction strikes with a vengeance, oftentimes even stronger than before.

Gambling addiction tends to run in families and begins to show anywhere from teenage years to later in adult life. Men’s symptoms generally begin when they are younger while women’s symptoms do not often start until later in their lives.

What makes gambling so addictive?

The American Psychiatric Association defines addiction as “a brain disease that is manifested by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequence.” However, as seen in the DSM-5 entry, addiction is no longer related to just substance abuse. Though they do not consider it an addiction by name, gambling addiction is just as real as being addicted to heroin or alcohol. Gambling addiction riddles an individual’s life and has the potential to take away or destroy all that is important to them.

But what makes gambling so addictive? When someone with a gambling addiction wins a hand or spins a straight 777 on the slot machine, dopamine is released in the brain and creates a feeling of a thrill or a rush. It is not restricted only to casinos, though; gambling disorders can be triggered by scratcher cards, lotto tickets, horse races, or even Super Bowl football square pools. The chance of winning big triggers the gambler’s brain to participate, often to disastrous extents.

While many people are able to be pleased with their winnings and walk away a few hundred or thousand dollars richer, an individual with a gambling addiction will not stop. They’ll purchase more chips, withdraw money for more credits, buy another few scratcher cards, or participate in next week’s lottery. The insatiable desire to win takes over and no loss can ever overcome the insistence that they will just win it the next time.

Why do people gamble even though it destroys their lives?

When asked why she continues to gamble despite the consequences, one gambler said, “It’s all about the thrill or the rush I get at the thought of winning something I don’t have.” After being let go for calling out from work too often, she spent all of her unemployment money on scratcher cards from the liquor store. Once she used up all of her own money she borrowed money from her husband to continue her habit.

However, she kept it well hidden. As she was unemployed at the time it was most severe, her husband was unaware of the extent of her current problem. He knew she struggled with a gambling addiction but did not realize that she was spending all of her money on it. As she scratched the cards while he was away at work during the day, he never realized where all her money went until months later when she broke down and admitted to him that she had had a lapse.

Stories like these are all too common, especially in areas like Las Vegas, Reno, and Atlantic City. Even sadder are those who are single and lack familial influence; with few people concerned with their spending habits and everyday activities, they have free reign to blow away hundreds of thousands and land themselves in crippling debts.

Gambling addiction and co-occurring disorders

The woman mentioned previously also struggled with alcoholism, incredibly common for individuals who experience gambling addiction. Those with Gambling Disorder have a high potential for co-occurring disorders such as drug and alcohol addiction or mental health disorders.

A co-occurring disorder is an individual with a substance dependence or substance abuse problem who also experiences mental health issues. As gambling addiction, or Gambling Disorder, is now categorized under the addiction category in the DSM-5, it could be considered co-occurring with either alcohol and drug abuse or a mental health disorder.

A study conducted in 2014 looked at the relationship between four mental health disorders (depression, mood disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD) and gambling. Their results showed that, of those studied, 86% of gamblers also experienced one or more of the four mental health disorders they were screened for.

It is estimated that 10 to 20% of individuals with substance use disorder also have experience as a pathological or problem gambler. Gambling is common among the drug- and alcohol-addicted population as a means of getting money to purchase substances. Though it isn’t

Gambling addiction and legal troubles

Although gambling is a legal activity in many locations and most who gamble do not experience any addictive behaviors, for those with gambling addiction the story is different. Oftentimes once they run out of money, pathological and problem gamblers resort to illegal methods of obtaining more money to gamble. Theft, burglary, and

In places where gambling is illegal, gamblers will also run into trouble with the law for seeking out opportunities to bet.

How to treat gambling addiction

When seeking treatment for gambling addiction it is important to consult with a doctor about the possibility of a co-occurring disorder. With such large rates of co-occurring disorders in those with gambling addiction, well-rounded treatment is often necessary. It is difficult to manage the gambling problem without also addressing the other issues such as substance abuse and mental health disorders. If the co-occurring disorders are left untreated, the chances of recovery are minimal.

Once the co-occurring disorder is being treated, or if the gambler does not struggle with one, there are programs and other types of help available to help them address their gambling addiction.

Gamblers Anonymous

Based on the 12-step methods of Alcoholics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous is a 12-step program intended to help those with a gambling addiction. Originally founded in 1957 in Los Angeles, California, today Gamblers Anonymous has over 1,000 groups that meet worldwide. Through practicing the 12 Steps of Gamblers Anonymous, these men and women come together to work through their gambling problems and remain “clean” from gambling. The 12 Steps also help those with gambling addictions to live their everyday lives as happier, healthier individuals.

A meeting directory for Gamblers Anonymous can be found here.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Though Gamblers Anonymous is incredibly beneficial in helping those with gambling addictions stop gambling, it is even more effective when used in combination with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a form of therapy that focuses on the idea that what you think impacts the behaviors you make. By working on the habitual thought patterns of an individual, therapists hope to combat the impulsive behavioral patterns that are characteristic of a gambling addiction.

Treatment Programs

For those with extreme cases, in particular when in combination with a substance abuse problem, inpatient or outpatient treatment may be necessary. Inpatient treatment will separate an individual from the problem at hand and provide intensive programs with both a CBT and sometimes 12-step-based approach. Those in inpatient receive the opportunity to focus on treatment alone with few outside distractions to maximize the potential for recovery.

If intensive inpatient treatment is not an option due to work or school, outpatient treatment is another intensive way to address addiction issues head-on. Often offered in the evenings for those with daytime occupations, outpatient treatment provides care for a few hours a day, three to five days a week. Individuals learn to cope with daily life and manage triggering situations.

Both inpatient and outpatient prove to be helpful in initiating long-term recovery from substance abuse, but effectiveness on gambling has yet to be studied extensively.

Problems with current gambling addiction treatment

In 2013, Dr. Flora Matheson and her researchers at St. Michael’s Hospital’s Center for Research on Inner City Health collaborated with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health to look over the current literature and studies regarding drug use and gambling addiction. They noticed a high correlation between pathological and problem gambling and substance abuse, but also realized these individuals are not as responsive to the present methods of treatment.

There is a significant amount of people struggling with both substance abuse and gambling addiction, and treatment centers specific for their needs would prove to be beneficial. However, some treatment centers are beginning to incorporate the treatment of pathological and problem gambling into their programs due to the large amount of gamblers they see coming through their doors. In order to provide proper treatment for all patients, the issue of gambling addiction must be taken into consideration during treatment.

As the awareness of gambling addiction increases, so will the number of treatment centers dedicated to the rehabilitation of these individuals. Additionally, greater numbers of existing treatment centers will equip themselves with the capabilities to provide the proper care. Like all addictions and mental health disorders, with more awareness comes more understanding.

Resources

“Prevalence of the Addictions” Steve Sussman, Nadra Lisha, and Mark Griffiths

“Gambling, Alcohol, and Other Substance Use Among Youth in the United States” Grace M. Barnes, Ph.D; John W. Welte, Ph.D; Joseph H. Hoffman, Ph.D; and Marie-Cecile O. Tidwell, Ph.D

“Pathological gambling, co-occurring disorders, clinical presentation, and treatment outcomes at a university-based counseling clinic” Soberay A, Faragher JM, Barbash M, Brookover A, Grimsley P

“Co-Occurring Disorders” SAMHSA

“Links made between problem gambling and substance abuse, and lack of treatment options” St. Michael’s Hospital

How to stop gambling forever? This question probably constantly enters your mind if you, or a loved one, has gotten into the habit of gambling.

This addiction typically starts off as a harmless one-time thing but gradually takes over your professional and personal life.

The question remains, how to stop an addiction from continuing to negatively impact your life?

No matter how many times you try to quit, you have that urge to gamble just one more time. If you don’t know how to stop the gambling urge, you will jeopardize your relationships and sink deeper into a financial hole.

Fortunately, this is certainly not an impossible feat to achieve. No matter how bad your situation is, the following 10 steps can help you break your addiction.

Contents

1. Make The Decision

If you are serious about learning how to stop gambling on your own, you need to first make a firm decision and stick to it. Start by determining the many ways your gambling addiction is harming you.

Address the reason you became addicted in the first place. Think about how much you have lost since then – in terms of money, career, health and relationships? Has it caused mental and emotional anguish to you and your loved ones?

Going through all the ways gambling has affected your life won’t be easy but it will help strengthen your resolve to quit gambling forever this time.

Start a journal to assist you with this process. Write down these negative impacts so you can go through them in future when you feel your resolve breaking. Written words have a strong impact.

2. Write Down the Positive Changes To Implement In Your Life

Next, list down all the positive changes you want to make in all aspects of your life. Create a mental image of your life post gambling addiction to make the list detailed and specific.

You have already gone through all the negative impacts of gambling in your life; imagine your life without having to experience those issues constantly. How will your life change?

Your relationships will improve drastically. Gambling addiction and marriage certainly don’t go well. Imagine having a stronger and healthier relationship with your partner.

Moreover, your financial situation will improve. You would finally able to save up for that family vacation you have been planning!

Write down the activities you used to enjoy but couldn’t do anymore because of gambling. Most importantly, you will get the sense of freedom back which you hadn’t experienced since the start of your gambling habit.

3. Create Goals

To make your resolve stronger and to stay committed, you need goals. Clear goals are helpful throughout the addiction recovery process and are considered the most crucial element of gambling addiction treatment.

Remember, the goals must be realistic and achievable to be successful. Unachievable or vague goals will lead you to the road of failure. Opt for S.M.A.R.T. goal setting method.

• Specific: Be as specific as you can get
• Measurable: Your goals must be quantifiable
• Attainable: They must be realistic enough to achieve
• Relevant: Must be helpful for your progress
• Time Based: Setting a time limit to each goal enhances the motivation levels

Write them all down with proper reasoning so there are higher chances of you sticking to those goals and gradually making progress.

4. Set a Deadline

While setting a time limit for all your short and long-term goals is necessary, it is also important to set a deadline for the date you will completely stop the gambling habit.

Again avoid setting an unrealistic date. You can’t simply go through the tips to stop gambling and expect to quit the next day or even the next month. Give yourself more time than that to gradually stop this addiction.

Reasons To Stop Binge Drinking

This way you will have enough time to prepare yourself mentally and physically, while also helping you to gradually reach your short-term goals and ultimately quit your gambling addiction.

Once you have picked the date, mark it on your calendar and share it with your loved ones who are motivating and supporting you in your journey.

5. Take Action

How to stop a gambler from gambling again? Make sure that they not just create goals but also take action. Understand that while goals are effective in gradually helping you progress in your recovery journey; you need to actually fulfill them.

You have to make a conscious effort to achieve those goals, make changes in your life, stay clear of your gambling buddies, and focus instead on other healthy activities.

Fill up your time with people and activities that will keep you motivated towards your ultimate goal. You have to keep making efforts to change your lifestyle.

There are bound to be a few mistakes in the recovery process but that doesn’t mean you give up. Continue moving forward and forgive yourself for giving in to the temptation for a while. Continue taking actions towards your goals.

6. Recognize Your Triggers and Stay Clear

It is one of the most common gambling addiction facts that triggers can make any addict relapse. Everyone has some triggers that ultimately make them give into the urge of doing something.

For instance, for a recovering alcoholic, dining into a restaurant might activate their urge to drink. Similarly, if there is a casino on your way home from work then it might urge you to gamble just for a few minutes.

It is important that you recognize your triggers and come up with ways to stay away from them. For instance, you can take a different route to avoid that casino.

Once you have recognized your triggers and written them down, you can find ways to stay away from them.

7. Get Help

You can get free help to stop gambling by joining support groups and seeking professional help. It might seem like you can go through this on your own but you will need all the support you can get to recover successfully.

Why To Stop Gambling

There are various institutions that offer support groups for individuals fighting addictions. Talking about your battle, hearing the struggles of others, and getting useful tips will keep you motivated and help you realize that you are not alone.

Find the nearest gambling addiction support group, make an appointment with an addiction therapist, and ask your loved ones for help.

8. Track Your Thoughts

Majority of the gamblers have strong beliefs regarding ways to win, ways to avoid losing, about their possibilities of winning and more. This train of thoughts can make any gambler believe that the next game would be theirs.

How to stop gambling habit forever? Monitor your thoughts!

You have to keep a check on these thoughts and remind yourself that they are not real. Make an effort to break this thinking pattern since they won’t disappear on their own. Continuously monitor your thoughts so that they stop.

You can talk to someone to help you ease the urge, write them down and ponder about the ways these can thoughts affect you negatively, or distract yourself to avoid these thoughts.

Reasons To Stop Gaming

9. Keep Yourself Busy

The best way of ensuring you continue on the recovery path is to keep yourself busy. Fill up your entire day with activities that will prevent you from thinking about gambling and help you fight the urge.

If you are an online gambler and wondering how to stop gambling online then maybe consider taking a break from the online world. Consider activities that keep you too busy to go online, for instance joining your local sports team.

Other ways to distract yourself is to cook for your family, go camping with your friends, start a fitness training regime, practice meditation, or volunteer for community services.

When your mind is busy and your day is filled with healthy activities, you will notice your urge to gamble reducing. These activities will help you in adapting a better lifestyle by pushing your gambling habits away.

10. Celebrate Your Success

Whether you have been looking up ways to stop your gambling habit or how to help someone with gambling addiction, keep in mind that many hindrances and obstacles are bound to come in the way of this recovery process.

Reasons To Stop Gambling Addiction

The best way to stay motivated or keep your loved one motivated is to celebrate successes, no matter how small. Understand that even a small achievement makes a major difference for a recovering addict.

When setting goals, add a reward for each goal, which you can enjoy once that goal has been achieved successfully; for example, buying a new book, getting a spa treatment or treating yourself to a fancy dinner.

Reasons To Stop Gambling Winnings

Quitting an addiction is not an easy task. The recovery process is bound to be tough, which is why it is important to keep yourself or your loved one motivated by celebrating all the small achievements.