Profile of a Gambling Addict

When the term first came about, “addiction” referred to physical and, eventually, also psychological dependence on substances like alcohol, tobacco, opiates, prescription drugs, cocaine, or marijuana (Read Talk the Talk: Medical Terminology Defined).  In recent years, the term has increasingly been used to describe normal activities that have become compulsive behaviors for certain individuals—like sex, shopping, eating, playing video games, surfing the internet, and, of course, gambling. 

Are Certain People More Likely to Become Addicted to Gambling Than Others?

Individuals who are likely to become addicted to gambling may have some of the characteristics listed below:

• Feeling like they can control random chance.  A person who is addicted to gambling may have persuaded themselves that they have the ability to control the table, the cards, or the slot machine.  In other words, they may be convinced that they can strategize to consistently win when really winning is fundamentally based on luck.
• Trying to recreate the thrill of winning.  When people participate in activities that they enjoy (such as sex, eating, or, in this case, gambling) or when they take certain substances (such as heroin), dopamine is released in the brain.  This neurotransmitter sends a signal to the brain that “this behavior is good,” and the result (or “reward”) is that the person feels good.  For many addictive behaviors, the addict attempts to recreate the positive feeling that they experienced when they first engaged in the behavior (e.g., when they first “won”).
• Persisting in the belief that things will turn around even when they continue to lose and taking unreasonable risks.  Most people who gamble for fun realize that they need to set a limit for the amount of money they can lose without jeopardizing their financial stability.  Although the word “gamble” implies risk, people who may become gambling addicts are less likely to realize, accept, or care that there can be real, permanent consequences when they bet their house, car, or retirement savings in a poker game. 
• The desire for the jackpot. Anyone would find the thought of potentially easy money—and lots of it—attractive; if it weren’t a basic human response, Las Vegas and other areas with casinos wouldn’t be so popular.  However, gambling addicts are likely to obsess over the possibility of winning big money to the exclusion of many other more healthy thoughts.
• Other mental health problems.  In some instances, addiction co-occurs with other problems or disorders like PTSD or depression.  People who have not learned positive ways of dealing with stress may look to gambling or other behaviors to make themselves feel better (Read Stressed? Avoid Unhealthy Coping Strategies).

What Can I Do for Someone Who Has a Gambling Problem?

If you know or have a suspicion that someone is struggling with a gambling addiction(Read Signs of a Gambling Problem), eDrugRehab can help.  In addition to drug addiction services, we can also perform interventions for gambling addictions.  If you recognize a problem in your own behavior, call us today to learn more about rehab facilities.  If you have been through rehab but are worried about relapsing, remember to avoid situations that could trigger it (Read Las Vegas: Activities that Don’t Involve Gambling).