A lot of people gamble, and by itself, gambling isn’t the worst hobby a person can have. Anyone who plays knows winning is so unlikely that it’s almost impossible. Most gamblers know when to quit. They know when it’s time for them to walk away.
But some people can’t walk away. They’re compelled to gamble no matter how much it hurts them. They will need professional help to regain control over their behavior and stop gambling.
At Luxe Recovery, we offer world-class treatment to help people overcome process addictions such as gambling addiction, as well as substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health troubles.
Dangers Of A Gambling Addiction
The biggest reason that you need treatment for compulsive gambling is that it can have serious dangers. It’s not uncommon for people who have a gambling problem to struggle with a variety of consequences as a result of their addiction. Some of the dangerous effects of a gambling addiction can include:
Financial Troubles
The most obvious consequence of a gambling addiction is the financial trouble that it often causes. Most gamblers will lose, regardless of what game they play. In any game that is played or bets a person makes, the odds are skewed against them. It’s said that the house always wins, and that’s true in an overwhelming majority of instances.
Because losses can often accumulate, many people can lose their savings. Money that could have been allocated to their living expenses, education, or other necessary expenses is instead directed towards gambling.
These financial troubles can lead to more consequences.
Changes in Behavior
With the financial strain described above, many people may change their behavior. They may isolate themselves from their families or friends because they worry their financial troubles may be discovered.
Their financial difficulties may also cause them to do things they normally wouldn’t do. Some people may take out loans, which can often come with high interest, so they can keep gambling or cover their losses. Others may resort to committing crimes to get the funds they need to
Loss of Relationships
The effects of gambling and losing can extend far beyond a gambler. Losing savings and money for living expenses can strain relationships. Loved ones may feel betrayed that money that should have gone towards paying for their needs instead went into bets.
This can cause anger and resentment as family members bear the brunt of adjusting to a loss of income. Because of this, people can lose their relationships with their loved ones as a result of their pathological gambling.
Professional Setbacks
There are certain jobs wherein a gambling problem can be a liability. These jobs can include law enforcement and government, as the financial strain that often comes with a gambling addiction may be seen as leverage that could be potentially used against them.
Mental Health Troubles
The troubles above can cause a person to develop mental health conditions. The loss of money and everything that comes with it can cause a person to become depressed. The constant worry over their finances can make a person anxious.
These mental health troubles can lead to numerous other consequences, such as substance use disorder or suicidal ideation. The World Health Organization estimates that people with a gambling addiction are 15 times more likely to die by suicide than those who don’t.
Gambling Disorder Defined
A gambling disorder is a behavioral or process addiction wherein a person cannot stop gambling. People who have this problem will need to gamble regardless of the consequences. They can lose everything they have and still want to gamble. Some will take out loans or a line of credit and gamble again.
Some people may even begin chasing losses when they keep playing, hoping their luck turns and they win enough to break even or make a profit. Invariably, they will fail.
Even if a person who suffers from a gambling addiction wins enough money that the next several generations of their family can be wealthy, they won’t stop gambling. To them, it’ll be a sign that they are on a hot streak and unable to quit while they’re ahead.
This is because winning or losing isn’t the main focus of someone who has a gambling addiction.
Rehab for Gambling Addiction
Because many people can develop a gambling addiction, several interventions can be applied to their treatment. Treatment options for gambling addiction will generally include some of the following:
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy can help a person change their behavior and manage their emotions. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help a person identify the thought patterns and beliefs that lead to unhealthy behavior. Dialectical behavior therapy can help a person manage overwhelming emotions without using unhealthy behaviors to cope and improve boundaries within their relationships.
Individual Counseling
One-on-one therapy sessions are often a major part of addiction recovery. By going to individual counseling sessions, a person can identify and address the underlying causes of their problematic gambling patterns.
Support Groups
Support groups can often be a vital part of a person’s treatment. These groups can allow someone to connect with people who have had similar struggles with their behavioral health, which can make them feel less alone.
Family Involvement
An important part of a treatment plan for gambling addiction can often be family therapy. As mentioned before, gambling addiction can have a profound effect on a family’s finances, lifestyle, and future. Getting loved ones involved in gambling treatment can help them be more understanding of a person’s urge to gamble and make them supportive participants in the recovery process.
Holistic Treatment
Holistic treatment can also help a person overcome gambling addiction. Mindfulness-based practices can help a person acknowledge and feel their cravings, but these practices can help a person focus on the present moment and allow them to ‘ride out’ their cravings without acting on them.
How Widespread is Problem Gambling?
Gambling can have widespread effects. Roughly 85% of American adults have gambled at least once. Annual losses from gambling are estimated to be around $14 billion, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling. It’s also been estimated that online gambling losses in the United States will surpass $1 trillion by 2028.
We’re Ready When You Are
A lot of people engage in gambling, and it can be an endless cycle of trying to win back your losses. If you are struggling with gambling addiction, know that you don’t need to tackle this alone. Help is available, and there is hope for healing and recovery.
