Gambling addiction is the apparent inability to stop gambling, even when the activity is causing the gambler irreparable harm. It is also referred to as problem gambling or compulsive gambling. Gambling addiction is an impulse control disorder, much like substance addiction. 34 percent of gambling addiction treatment seekers have PTSD Studies on the connection between gambling and PTSD prove that 34% of gamblers have PTSD. Many men and women who have gambling addictions also have a range of other mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
Gambling can be a bit of fun, but if it becomes compulsive or involves significant loss of money or property, it is considered an addiction and a mental health problem. Casino game manufacturers. After diagnosis, treatment.
Last updated: 10/25/2018 Author: Addictions.com Medical Review
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Anyone who likes to gamble doesn’t have to go far to find a way to place a bet. Both legal and illegal gambling operations continue to increase in number; especially with ongoing internet technology advancements at our fingertips.If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling habit, a good first step towards gaining control lies in learning to spot the symptoms of gambling addiction. Not surprisingly, the symptoms of gambling addiction hold a strong similarity to those of other addictions.
Gambling Addictions
Win at roullette. Drastic mood changes are a common sign of gambling addiction.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine describes a gambling addiction as an impulse-control disorder. Like most every impulse-control disorder, a person’s inability to control the behavior is the deciding factor. Symptoms of gambling addiction play out in the same areas of life as an alcohol or drug addiction would. The addict’s behavior becomes excessive to the point where gambling, or the thought of gambling becomes the focus of his or her world. Daily obligations and responsibilities take a backseat to any opportunity to gamble. Much like the drug addict, a person’s life – family, friends and job – slowly slips away as the addiction grows stronger. Guru log in.
The symptoms of gambling addiction remain the same whether a person frequents an actual casino or online betting sites. Be it playing the lottery, slot machines or playing poker, the addiction cycle functions the same way.
Symptoms
Also known as compulsive gambling, pathological gambling, and problem gambling, an actual addiction diagnosis involves one to four main symptoms that exist apart from any other conditions or disorders. The four main symptoms of gambling addiction are:
A preoccupation with gambling to the point where it occupies every waking thought. This includes planning for future gambling pursuits and devising ways to acquire money for gambling purposes
An inability to cut back on gambling behavior after multiple attempts have been made
Putting important life areas at risk (work, friendships, significant relationships) for the sake of gambling
Changes in mood, changes in overall sense of well-being when unable to engage in gambling activities.
Inevitably, significant parts of a person’s life start to fall away as symptoms of gambling addiction take top priority over everything else. In many cases, a person has to hit rock bottom before seeing the problem for what it is.
Gambling Addiction Diagnosis
Since other conditions and/or circumstances can influence a person’s overall behavior, a true gambling addiction exists apart from any other pre-existing conditions. This means, the symptoms of gambling addiction must be able to stand on their own without any other co-occurring influences.
Gambling Addiction Symptoms
Co-occurring influences can take the form of problems with alcohol and drugs. Mental health problems, such as bipolar disorder, depression and obsessive compulsive disorder can also trigger gambling binges. Medical conditions can also cause a person to act erratically or act on impulse.
Casino Addiction Help
In order to get the kind of help a person needs, a comprehensive physical and psychological evaluation should be done to identify any conditions that may produce symptoms of gambling addiction. Regardless of the source of the problem, symptoms of gambling addiction should be viewed as a warning sign that something’s wrong.