Gambling Addiction: A Behavioural Health Crisis

Understanding gambling disorder (Photo by Niek Doup on Unsplash)

Understanding Gambling Disorder

Gambling Disorder (also known as compulsive or pathological gambling) is a recognised behavioural addiction where a person has a persistent and recurrent inability to resist urges to gamble, despite negative consequences. Like substance addictions, it stimulates the brain’s reward pathways, leading to cravings and a need to risk increasing amounts to achieve the same “high.”

This disorder causes profound damage across a person’s life, often leading to financial ruin, job loss, and fractured relationships.

Key Signs of Addiction

The defining feature is the loss of control, not the amount of money lost. Warning signs include:

• Preoccupation with gambling—constantly planning the next bet

• Chasing losses—gambling more to try and win back money already lost

• Lying to conceal the extent of the gambling

• Feeling restless or irritable when trying to cut down or stop

• Gambling to escape negative emotions like anxiety or guilt

• Relying on others for money to bail them out of financial trouble

Treatment and Recovery

Recovery from gambling addiction is entirely possible, often requiring a combination of professional help and self-help strategies.

Talking Therapy

Psychological counselling helps individuals address the faulty thinking (cognitive distortions) that fuels the gambling cycle, and teaches essential coping skills and relapse prevention techniques.

Medication

Medication may be used to treat co-occurring conditions like depression or anxiety, or to help reduce urges.

Support Groups

Support groups such as Gamblers Anonymous (GA) provide vital peer support and a structured 12-step pathway to abstinence.

Getting Help

Because of the severe financial and emotional toll, professional help should be sought immediately if you or a loved one is struggling.