Four Interesting Facts About Gambling Addiction and Recovery

Mental health professionals and scientists have identified problem gambling as a behavioral addiction. ambling addicts show similar changes in behavior and brain activity as drug users and alcoholics. Defective brain functioning may play a central role in the self-destructive behavior of problem gamblers.

Development of Gambling Addiction

The more a person gambles, the more their addiction will grow. Brain imaging studies have revealed that gambling activates the brain's reward system and gives a high, similar to drugs for drug addicts.

It’s also been shown that you’re at greater risk of developing an addiction if any of your family members have substance addiction problems.

Impaired Brain Function

The prefrontal cortex controls impulsivity, cognitive control, and decision-making. Studies have shown that this brain region is less active in gambling and drug addicts than in people without these issues. Problem gamblers are often impulsive and may struggle to control their impulses due to reduced functioning of the prefrontal cortex.

The brains of addicts also process risk and reward incorrectly, as well as current versus long-term consequences.

Addicts Use Gambling as a Coping Mechanism

Many addicts also struggle with mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, which cause people to feel negative about themselves. Gambling becomes a coping mechanism to escape daily realities, increasing their anxiety.

Treatment approaches are similar to those used for drug and alcohol addicts. Cognitive and behavioral treatments can help problem gamblers understand the need to change their thinking about gambling. Therapy encourages them to reevaluate risky thinking, such as predicting the outcome of their next bet based on previous successes.

Behavioral treatment encourages people to change their behavior and environment to make it more difficult to gamble. For example, limiting their access to cash. Motivation also plays an essential role in overcoming a gambling problem. Motivational enhancement techniques help people understand how gambling affects their lives and manage their mixed feelings about stopping.

The number of female gambling addicts is increasing and, in some age groups, even surpasses men. Treatment should consider that women get addicted to gambling for different reasons than men.

• Significant lifestyle changes, such as divorce and retirement, act as triggers for women to develop a compulsive gambling problem.
• Most women gamble to escape overwhelming circumstances, not primarily to win money.
• Women are usually older than men when they start gambling, but they can develop a problem faster.
• Women react to gambling cues and ads more than men.
• The biggest group of women seeking help for gambling addiction is between the ages of 40 and 60.

Female gambling addicts have a higher rate of mood disorders and have often suffered physical abuse.

The focus is often on treatment and quitting for gambling addicts. What if we could prevent the problem in the first place? To prevent developing a problem, gamblers should be encouraged to do the following:

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  Set a Money Limit

  If you're going to a land-based casino, leave your cards at home and bring only a cash amount. Also, set a budget for online gaming. Decide how much you will spend on an evening's entertainment and only spend that amount. Set an upper limit; this is the amount you would be happy to leave with if you find yourself ahead.
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  Know the Game to Control Your Bets

  It's essential to understand the games so you can control how much you bet, even if you can't control the game's outcome. Slot machines allow you to bet on many lines, and you can end up betting more than you intended and run out of money fast. This may tempt you to take out more money to play longer.
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  Set a Time Limit

  Set a reminder on your phone for when you intend to stop playing or leave the land-based casino.
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  Focus on Entertainment

  Expect to spend all the money you have budgeted, as this will keep you in the mindset that it’s entertainment. You will be less likely to try and win back your money by playing more.
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  Understand the Games Are Random

  Activities such as tracking previous results will not help you win. An RNG (random number generator) computer chip determines the outcomes of slot machines.

Gambling can be a harmless form of entertainment, but it can also be used to cope with daily life stresses like alcohol or drugs. It's important to stay informed and make responsible choices. Checking out online casino reviews can help you find trustworthy platforms that prioritize player safety and responsible gaming practices. If you are concerned that gambling is harming your life, contact your local problem gambling helpline for advice.