Compulsive gambling

Description

Compulsive gambling, also called gambling disorder, is the uncontrollable urge to keep gambling despite the toll it takes on your life. The game means that you are willing to risk something of value in the hope of getting something of greater value.

Gambling can stimulate the brain's reward system much like drugs or alcohol can, leading to addiction. If you have a problem with compulsive gambling, you may continually chase bets that lead to losses, use of savings and create debt. You can hide your behavior and even your time of theft or fraud to support your addiction.

Compulsive gambling is a serious disease that can destroy lives. Although treating compulsive gambling can be challenging, many people who struggle with compulsive gambling have found help through professional treatment.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of pathological gambling (gambling disorder) can include:

  • Being preoccupied with gambling, such as the constant planning of the activities of the game and how to get more gambling money
  • Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to get the same thrill
  • Trying to control, reduce, or stop playing, without success
  • Restlessness or irritability when attempting to cut down on the game
  • Gambling to escape problems or relieve feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression
  • Trying to recover the money lost by gambling more (chasing losses)
  • Lying to family members or other people to hide the extent of your game
  • Risk or lose significant relationships, work or school, or work opportunities because of gambling
  • Ask others to bail you out of financial problems due to which you have wagered money in the trash

The majority of casual players stop when losing or set a limit on how much you are willing to lose. But people with a compulsive gambling problem are compelled to keep playing to get their money back — a pattern that becomes increasingly destructive over time. Some people may resort to theft or fraud to get money from betting.

Some people with a compulsive gambling problem may have periods of remission — a length of time in which to play less or not at all. But without treatment, the remission is usually not permanent.

When to see a doctor or mental health professional

Have family members, friends or co-workers expressed concern about his game? If so, listen to their concerns. Because denial is almost always a feature of compulsive or addictive behavior, it may be difficult for you to realize that you have a problem.

Causes

Exactly what makes a person to gamble compulsively isn't well understood. As many of the problems of compulsive gambling may be the result of a combination of biological, genetic, and environmental factors.

Risk factors

Although the majority of people who play cards or bet never develop a problem with the game, some factors are more often associated with problem gambling:

  • Mental health problems. People who gamble compulsively often have problems of substance misuse, personality disorders, depression, or anxiety. Pathological gambling may also be associated with bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  • Age. Compulsive gambling is more common in young and middle-aged people. The games of chance during childhood or adolescence increases the risk of developing compulsive gambling. But the game-compulsive disorder in the older adult population can also be a problem.
  • Sex. Compulsive gambling is more common in men than in women. The women who play tend to start later in life and can become addicted more quickly. But the patterns of play between men and women have become increasingly similar.
  • Friend or family influence. If the members of your family or friends have a problem with the game, the chances are greater that you will, too.
  • Medications used to treat Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome. Medications called dopamine agonists have a rare side effect that may result in compulsive behaviors, including gambling, in some people.
  • Certain personality characteristics. Being very competitive, a workaholic, impulsive, restless, or bored easily you can increase your risk of pathological gambling.

Complications

Problem gambling can have profound and lasting consequences for your life, such as:

  • Relationship problems
  • Financial problems, including bankruptcy
  • Legal problems or prison
  • Job performance, or job loss
  • Poor general health
  • Suicide, suicide attempts or suicidal thoughts

Prevention

Although there is no proven way to prevent a problem with the game, the educational programs that target individuals and groups at increased risk may be useful.

If you have risk factors for pathological gambling, consider the possibility of avoiding gambling in any form, people who play games and places where gambling occurs. Get treatment at the first sign of a problem, to help prevent gambling from becoming worse.

Compulsive gambling

Diagnosis

If you recognize that you may have a problem with the game, talk with your health care provider about an evaluation or seek the help of a mental health professional.

To assess your problem with the game, your doctor or mental health provider is likely that:

  • Ask questions related to their habits of gambling. Your doctor also may ask permission to speak with family members or friends. However, confidentiality laws prevent your provider give you any information about you without your consent.
  • The review of your medical information. Some drugs may have a rare side effect that results in compulsive behaviors, including gambling, in some people. A physical examination may identify problems with your health that are sometimes associated with compulsive gambling.
  • To do a mental health assessment. This assessment includes questions about your symptoms, thoughts, feelings and behavior patterns related to your game. Depending on your signs and symptoms, which can be evaluated for mental health disorders that are sometimes associated with excessive gambling.

Treatment

The treatment of pathological gambling can be a challenge. This is in part because most of the people have a difficult time admitting they have a problem. However, an important part of the treatment is working in the recognition that you are a compulsive gambler.

If your family or your employer hold on the therapy, you can find withstand the treatment. But the treatment of a gambling problem can help you regain a sense of control and, possibly, help to heal damaged relationships or finances.

The treatment of pathological gambling may include the following approaches:

  • Of the therapy. Behavioral therapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy may be useful. Behavioral therapy uses a process of exposure to the behavior you want to un-learn and teach you the skills to reduce their need to play. The cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on identifying unhealthy, irrational and negative beliefs and replace them with healthy, positive ones. Family therapy can also be useful.
  • Drugs. Antidepressants and mood stabilizers may help to treat the problems that are often coupled with compulsive gambling — such as bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety. Some antidepressants may be effective in the reduction of the behavior of the game. Medications called narcotic antagonist, useful in the treatment of substance abuse, may help treat compulsive gambling.
  • Self-help groups. Some people find that talking with others who have a problem with the game can be a useful part of treatment. Ask your doctor or mental health provider for advice on self-help groups, such as Gamblers Anonymous and other resources.

The treatment of pathological gambling may involve an outpatient program, inpatient program or a residential treatment program, depending on your needs and resources. Self-help treatments such as structured, internet-based programs and telephone consultations with a mental health professional may be an option for some people.

Treatment for substance abuse, depression, anxiety or any other mental health problem can be part of your plan of treatment of pathological gambling.

Relapse prevention

Even with treatment, you can return to the games of chance, especially if you spend time with the people that game or you are in the gambling setting. If you feel that you are going to start playing again, contact your mental health provider or sponsor immediately to prevent a relapse.

Coping and support

These skills recovery can help to resist the impulses of the problem gambling

  • Stay focused on your # 1 goal: Not to bet.
  • Tell yourself that it's too risky to bet at all. A bet that usually leads to another and another.
  • Give yourself permission to ask for help, as pure willpower is not enough to overcome gambling addiction. Ask a family member or friend to encourage you to follow your treatment plan.
  • Recognize and avoid situations that trigger your urge to bet.

The family members of people with a compulsive gambling problem may benefit from counseling, even if the player is not willing to participate in therapy.

Preparing for your appointment

If you've decided to seek help for the compulsive gambling, you have taken an important first step.

What you can do

Before your appointment, make a list of:

  • All the feelings that you are experiencing, even if it seems to not be related to your problem. Note what triggers your game, if you have tried to resist the urge to play and the fact that the game has had in his life.
  • Key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
  • All the drugs, vitamins, herbs, or other supplements you are taking, including the dosage.
  • Other physical or mental problems that they have and the possible treatments.
  • Questions to ask your provider to make the most of your appointment time.

Questions may include:

  • What is the best approach to my problem with the game?
  • What are the other options to the primary approach you're suggesting?
  • You should see a psychiatrist, psychologist, addiction counselor or other mental health professional?
  • Will my insurance cover seeing these professionals?
  • Can I get help on an outpatient basis, or I'm going to need hospital treatment?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I can have?
  • What sites do you recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask any other questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care provider or mental health provider will likely ask a number of questions, such as:

  • When he made his first game start?
  • How often do you play?
  • How the game has affected your life?
  • Are your friends or family members worried about your gambling?
  • When you play, how much they can often put on the line?
  • Have you tried to quit smoking on your own? What happened when you did?
  • He has been in treatment for a problem with the game?
  • Are you ready to receive the necessary treatment for your problem with the game?

To make the most of your appointment time, be prepared to answer these questions and to provide an accurate picture of their gambling problems.

Symptoms and treatment of compulsive gambling