What is gambling addiction?

Problem gambling, pathological gambling or gambling addiction all describe a destructive behaviour where people spend so much time or money on making bets that they're causing harm to the other aspects of their life such as family or work. 

They become addicted to their behaviour, unable to stop and drawn to continually gambling, while falling into debt, damaging important relationships and causing problems with their job. 

It's easy to think of gambling as simply about the chance to make money. But most people with a gambling problem don't stop when they have a big win - they just spend the money to place more bets until it has all gone. 

American research suggests that as many as six per cent of adults have a problem with compulsive gambling at some point in their lives. As gambling becomes more easily available (for example, with increasing amounts of online gambling) it's also likely that this addiction will become more common. 

Effects of gambling addiction

Experts mostly view the effects of gambling as an addiction to an altered psychological state. It's thought to be similar to the effects of stimulant drugs with feelings of thrill and excitement linked to risk taking, inducing a natural high. Research suggests that these sensations are related to increases in levels of the neurotransmitter noradrenaline in the brain. 

With time, the gambler becomes increasingly preoccupied with their habit, as do many drug addicts. They often feel the need to increase to size of their bet to get the same psychological effect, and struggle to control or stop their behaviour. 

The symptoms of a gambling addiction include:

• Spending increasing amounts of time gambling
• Gambling increasingly larger amounts to try to recoup losses or just get the same thrill
• Gambling starts to take precedence over personal relationships and work Lying about habits to family or colleagues
• Concealing the amount spent or the losses from family
• Stealing money in order to gamble (or 'temporarily borrowing' money but with no rational plan to pay it back)
• Lack of recognition that there is a problem ( or denial of problems) despite evidence to the contrary
• Loss of interest in other hobbies or social life
• Physical symptoms if unable to gamble for some reason, such as anxiety, irritableness and even headaches, stomach upsets, palpitations and tremors
• Stress-related symptoms, especially depression, which may be intense

Risks of gambling addiction

The harmful effects of a gambling addiction are mostly the results of the excessive time and money spent on the habit.

Serious debt is a common problem for compulsive gamblers - recent figures show that debts of £60,000 or more are not uncommon. Crime is another risk as gamblers struggle to find the money for their habit or pay off debt – many find themselves in prison mostly because of theft and fraud.

Problem gamblers risk losing their relationships and their jobs.

There's also a link with alcohol and drugs - as many as 50 per cent of gambling addicts have alcohol issues. Other mental health problems are common too, especially depression. Gamblers are twice as likely to attempt suicide.

Managing a gambling addiction

The main approach to treating a gambling addiction is by using some form of psychological support or intervention. This may involve getting help from professionals or joining a self-help group such as GamCare or Gamblers Anonymous.

These groups offer local, telephone and online help.

The first step is to try to understand why the addiction developed, and what other stresses or problems they may be trying to avoid. This may be explored through individual, or group therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy has been shown to be effective and can help understand what triggers gambling and the ways in which they might change their behaviour. Medical treatments may play an important part in relieving underlying stress or depression.

Good debt management advice, from the National Debtline for example, may be critical in helping to reduce stress.