Gambling Disorder – What is Compulsive Gambling?
Gambling involves betting something of value on an event that is random or chance-based with the intention of winning a prize. This can include betting on horse races, football accumulators, lottery draws and other sporting events. It can also involve speculating on business, insurance or stock market investments and events. Although legal and common, gambling is a risky activity that can lead to problems. Compulsive gambling is an addictive disorder that can result in a number of symptoms and warning signs. Over time, a consensus has formed about the characteristics of this disorder, and the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) outlines 10 warning signs.
People who gamble often have mixed motives. Some may be enjoying the thrill of the game or the adrenaline rush that comes with a win. However, other motives can be darker and more problematic. For example, some people may start gambling to relieve boredom or stress, or to try and find a way to get back money they have lost. They are then lured into a cycle of addiction and can be unable to stop despite their negative consequences.
Unlike drugs or alcohol, gambling is not physically addictive, but the brain does respond to it in a similar way. During gambling, the brain releases dopamine, which is known as a pleasure neurotransmitter. This produces a positive feeling in the brain, so it is easy to see how someone who is addicted to gambling could continue to do it even after realizing the risks involved.
Research has shown that some people have a biological predisposition to addiction. They may have an underactive brain reward system or be more prone to impulse control issues. Other factors can include family and social environments, which can influence how people view gambling and the dangers that it can present. People who grow up in a culture where gambling is normalized might be more at risk of developing a gambling problem.
The most common treatment for gambling addiction is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which can help you learn to change unhealthy gambling behaviors and thoughts, such as false beliefs or rationalizations. It can also teach you ways to fight gambling urges and solve financial, work, and relationship problems caused by the addiction.
Other options for treatment include attending a support group like Gamblers Anonymous, which is modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous. You can also receive individual counseling, such as marriage, career, and credit counseling. These can help you work through the problems that you have created by your gambling and help you make a plan for avoiding it in the future.
Finally, try to replace your gambling habits with healthier activities. Instead of using gambling as a way to self-soothe unpleasant feelings or unwind, find healthy ways to do so, such as exercising, spending time with friends who don’t gamble, or practicing relaxation techniques. It can be difficult to break the habit of gambling, but it is possible.