Causes Of Gambling Disorder

While gambling can be a fun, harmless activity for many, it can also lead to the development of compulsive behaviors.

The American Psychiatric Association formally classifies pathological gambling as an impulse control disorder. More specifically, gambling addiction may be caused by a mental health condition known as obsessive-compulsive disorder. A gambling addiction is a progressive addiction that can have many negative psychological, physical, and social repercussions. It is classed as an impulse-control disorder. It is included in the. Gambling Disorder is many times related to depression. When an individual is depressed, he may display signs of tiredness, sluggishness, a loss of appetite and sadness. Is There Therapy for Gambling Disorder DSM-5 312.31 F63.0? People with Gambling Disorder have found success with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Gambling disorder can be caused by various factors. Many individuals, including young adults and adolescents, are likely able to resolve their gambling disorder over time, bit that is dependent on if the individual suffered from prior gambling problems. Gambling disorder tends to run in families, but environmental factors may also contribute.

The rush of betting and the anticipation of winning can be thrilling, but for some, those feelings can become addictive.

When gambling becomes addictive, it can cause a person to feel an uncontrollable desire to continue gambling, even if it is negatively impacting their life.

Much like an addiction to drugs or alcohol, gambling stimulates the reward system in the brain. A person can become addicted to the rush of gambling even when faced with consequences such as increasing debt and loss of savings. Unlike most casual gamblers who may stop when they are losing or set a limit, a person with a gambling addiction will keep pushing forward. While they may be compelled to try and recollect all of their money, it encourages behaviors that are destructive and impossible to sustain.

Signs & Symptoms of Gambling Addiction

It can be difficult to identify when casual gambling becomes a problem. This is because gambling addiction can cause a person to become more secretive and lie about their behaviors. With the introduction of online gambling, it can be even easier to conceal when it becomes problematic.Signs and symptoms of gambling addiction you may observe in someone include:

• Becoming preoccupied with gambling
• Gambling increasingly larger amounts of money
• An inability to cut back or stop gambling
• Gambling to escape stressors of everyday life
• Feeling irritable or anxious when not gambling as often
• Lying about gambling habits to friends or family
• Asking for financial help when gambling has cost too much money
• Putting employment, relationships, and other responsibilities at risk in favor of gambling
• Stealing to support gambling habit

Risk Factors for Gambling Addiction

While it is not known what exactly causes a gambling addiction to develop, there are some risk factors that are often found in those who exhibit signs. These include:

• Presence of mental health disorders: Compulsive addiction is often found in people who struggle with another mental health disorder. This can include substance abuse disorders, personality disorders, or depression and anxiety.
• Age: Gambling addiction is most commonly observed in young adults and middle-aged adults.
• Sex: Men are more likely to develop an addiction to gambling than women. When gambling addiction develops in women, it is often later in life and spirals more quickly.
• Influence from others: Having a friend or family member in your life who also struggles with gambling addiction can increase your risk for it as well.
• Personality Characteristics: Those who are workaholics, impulsive, or easily bored can be at a higher risk for developing an addiction to gambling.

Compulsive gambling can have dramatic repercussions, causing a person to struggle with life-long issues as a result.

Gambling can cause a person to develop relationship problems, financial and legal issues, and may cause a person to experience loss of employment and poor health. Without proper intervention, gambling can cause a person to lose control of their life completely.

Although there is no way to completely prevent a gambling addiction from developing, there are ways to help educate people about the risks and intervene if an addiction has developed. Understanding the risk factors can help a person become more self-aware regarding their own patterns and seek help should gambling begin to affect their quality of life.Treatment for gambling addiction uses similar therapy options found in substance addiction treatment.

What Does Treatment for Gambling Addiction Include?

Treatments for gambling addiction may include:

• Therapy: Therapy is one of the most commonly utilized form of care for gambling addiction. Using approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be beneficial as it helps a person identify what motivates addictive behaviors. Once they have a better understanding of where the underlying drive comes from, they can actively work to reduce the urge to gamble by changing the way the feel and think about the activity itself.
• Medications: In cases where gambling is fueled by underlying mental health disorders, medications may be used to help relieve symptoms. By reducing the impact of these symptoms, a person can focus on their mental health needs and develop healthy coping mechanisms rather than using gambling as a destructive outlet.
• Self-help groups: Some find it beneficial to connect with others who share similar experiences. Self-help groups provide the opportunity to connect with others who have faced similar challenges. In these group settings, members can both give and receive support and are able to learn from the experiences of others.

Gambling addiction is widespread and with increased access to it through online venues, the need for education and policies is more apparent than ever. Online availability makes gambling accessible to anyone, regardless of age, and can put many at risk for life-changing consequences should the behavior escalate. If you suspect a loved one is struggling with gambling, it is important to intervene as quickly as possible in order to address its negative impact on their life before it spirals further.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, we're here to help. Contact us today and speak with one of our trusted recovery advisors.

Learn About Gambling Disorder

Gambling disorder, which is sometimes referred to as compulsive gambling, pathological gambling, or gambling addiction, is characterized by persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling-related behavior that has a negative effect on an individual's personal, professional, and social well-being. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, people who exhibit four or more of the following behaviors during a 12-month period meet the criteria for a diagnosis of gambling disorder:

• Needing to gamble with increasingly larger amounts of money in order to experience the desired level of excitement
• Becoming restless or irritable when trying to limit or cease gambling
• Making several unsuccessful attempts to reduce or stop gambling
• Developing a preoccupation with gambling, including having persistent gambling-related thoughts
• Gambling when feeling sad, distressed, or depressed
• Chasing one's losses by gambling more or with larger sums in order to regain money lost during a previous gambling episode
• Lying or being otherwise deceptive in order to conceal the extent of one's gambling
• Jeopardizing and/or losing a relationship, job, or academic opportunity due to gambling
• Needing to acquire money from other people in order to relieve financial problems caused by gambling

Gambling disorder is often accompanied by distorted thinking, such as engaging in superstitious behavior in the belief that one is able to exert control over the outcome of chance events. Keystone treatment Center offers high-quality treatment for gambling disorders.

Statistics for Gambling Disorder

Estimations vary among sources, but most reports indicate that about 1 percent of the U.S. population exhibit behaviors that meet the criteria for a diagnosis of gambling disorder. Studies suggest that gambling disorder is about three times more common among men than among women. Gambling disorder appears to be much more common among older teens and younger adults. For example, the National Center for Responsible Gaming indicates that about 6 percent of college students have a serious problem with gambling.

The American Psychiatric Association reports that about half of all people who have gambling disorder have thought about suicide, and that 17 percent of people with this disorder have attempted to kill themselves.

Causes & Risk Factors of Gambling Disorder

As is the case with substance use disorders, a behavioral compulsion such as gambling disorder may result from the confluence of several genetic and environmental factors, including the following:

Genetic: People whose parents struggled or continue to struggle with gambling disorder are at increased risk for developing a similar problem. Also, gambling disorder appears to be more prevalent among individuals who struggle with another mental health disorder, which suggests that a genetic component may be at least partially responsible.

Environmental: Growing up in a family or community where gambling is common increases the likelihood that a person will engage in this behavior which, in turn, raises the risk of developing a gambling-related compulsion. Other environmental factors that may precipitate a gambling problem include experiencing stress, succumbing to peer pressure, and taking certain medications, such as ones that are sometimes prescribed to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease and restless leg syndrome.

Risk Factors:

• Being under age 30
• Being male
• Having a family history of gambling disorder
• Gambling at an early age
• Personal history of substance abuse
• Personal history of another mental health disorder
• Having a highly competitive personality
• Having access to legal or illegal gambling facilities

Signs & Symptoms of Gambling Disorder

The following are among the common signs that may indicate that a person has developed gambling disorder:

Behavioral symptoms:

• Neglecting family, friends, and other responsibilities in order to gamble
• Chasing losses (betting more in order to recoup past losses)
• Betting with increasing frequency
• Betting larger and larger sums of money
• Failing in one's efforts to gamble less or to stop completely
• Lying about one's gambling behaviors
• Borrowing or stealing money in order to cover losses or to continue to gamble

Physical symptoms:

• Feeling an energy boost when winning
• Feeling physical exhaustion after losing
• Irregular sleep patterns
• Failing health due to poor diet and lack of exercise

Causes Of Gambling Disorder

Cognitive symptoms:

• Obsession with gambling
• Inability to concentrate or focus
• Impulsivity
• Impaired judgment

Psychosocial symptoms:

• Feeling the need to gamble as a way of dealing with sadness or stress
• Reliving or re-experiencing past gambling episodes
• Experiencing guilt or remorse after gambling
• Withdrawing from friends, family, and non-gambling activities
• Suicidal ideation

Causes Of Gambling Disorder

Effects of Gambling Disorder

Causes Of Gaming Disorder

Untreated gambling disorder can cause lasting damage to a person's physical, mental, emotional, and/or social well-being, including the following negative outcomes and effects:

• Family discord
• Separation and divorce
• Loss of child custody
• Financial devastation
• Job loss and unemployment
• Substance abuse
• Legal problems
• Suicidal ideation

Signs & Symptoms of Gambling Addiction

It can be difficult to identify when casual gambling becomes a problem. This is because gambling addiction can cause a person to become more secretive and lie about their behaviors. With the introduction of online gambling, it can be even easier to conceal when it becomes problematic.Signs and symptoms of gambling addiction you may observe in someone include:

• Becoming preoccupied with gambling
• Gambling increasingly larger amounts of money
• An inability to cut back or stop gambling
• Gambling to escape stressors of everyday life
• Feeling irritable or anxious when not gambling as often
• Lying about gambling habits to friends or family
• Asking for financial help when gambling has cost too much money
• Putting employment, relationships, and other responsibilities at risk in favor of gambling
• Stealing to support gambling habit

Risk Factors for Gambling Addiction

While it is not known what exactly causes a gambling addiction to develop, there are some risk factors that are often found in those who exhibit signs. These include:

• Presence of mental health disorders: Compulsive addiction is often found in people who struggle with another mental health disorder. This can include substance abuse disorders, personality disorders, or depression and anxiety.
• Age: Gambling addiction is most commonly observed in young adults and middle-aged adults.
• Sex: Men are more likely to develop an addiction to gambling than women. When gambling addiction develops in women, it is often later in life and spirals more quickly.
• Influence from others: Having a friend or family member in your life who also struggles with gambling addiction can increase your risk for it as well.
• Personality Characteristics: Those who are workaholics, impulsive, or easily bored can be at a higher risk for developing an addiction to gambling.

Compulsive gambling can have dramatic repercussions, causing a person to struggle with life-long issues as a result.

Gambling can cause a person to develop relationship problems, financial and legal issues, and may cause a person to experience loss of employment and poor health. Without proper intervention, gambling can cause a person to lose control of their life completely.

Although there is no way to completely prevent a gambling addiction from developing, there are ways to help educate people about the risks and intervene if an addiction has developed. Understanding the risk factors can help a person become more self-aware regarding their own patterns and seek help should gambling begin to affect their quality of life.Treatment for gambling addiction uses similar therapy options found in substance addiction treatment.

What Does Treatment for Gambling Addiction Include?

Treatments for gambling addiction may include:

• Therapy: Therapy is one of the most commonly utilized form of care for gambling addiction. Using approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be beneficial as it helps a person identify what motivates addictive behaviors. Once they have a better understanding of where the underlying drive comes from, they can actively work to reduce the urge to gamble by changing the way the feel and think about the activity itself.
• Medications: In cases where gambling is fueled by underlying mental health disorders, medications may be used to help relieve symptoms. By reducing the impact of these symptoms, a person can focus on their mental health needs and develop healthy coping mechanisms rather than using gambling as a destructive outlet.
• Self-help groups: Some find it beneficial to connect with others who share similar experiences. Self-help groups provide the opportunity to connect with others who have faced similar challenges. In these group settings, members can both give and receive support and are able to learn from the experiences of others.

Gambling addiction is widespread and with increased access to it through online venues, the need for education and policies is more apparent than ever. Online availability makes gambling accessible to anyone, regardless of age, and can put many at risk for life-changing consequences should the behavior escalate. If you suspect a loved one is struggling with gambling, it is important to intervene as quickly as possible in order to address its negative impact on their life before it spirals further.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, we're here to help. Contact us today and speak with one of our trusted recovery advisors.

Learn About Gambling Disorder

Gambling disorder, which is sometimes referred to as compulsive gambling, pathological gambling, or gambling addiction, is characterized by persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling-related behavior that has a negative effect on an individual's personal, professional, and social well-being. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, people who exhibit four or more of the following behaviors during a 12-month period meet the criteria for a diagnosis of gambling disorder:

• Needing to gamble with increasingly larger amounts of money in order to experience the desired level of excitement
• Becoming restless or irritable when trying to limit or cease gambling
• Making several unsuccessful attempts to reduce or stop gambling
• Developing a preoccupation with gambling, including having persistent gambling-related thoughts
• Gambling when feeling sad, distressed, or depressed
• Chasing one's losses by gambling more or with larger sums in order to regain money lost during a previous gambling episode
• Lying or being otherwise deceptive in order to conceal the extent of one's gambling
• Jeopardizing and/or losing a relationship, job, or academic opportunity due to gambling
• Needing to acquire money from other people in order to relieve financial problems caused by gambling

Gambling disorder is often accompanied by distorted thinking, such as engaging in superstitious behavior in the belief that one is able to exert control over the outcome of chance events. Keystone treatment Center offers high-quality treatment for gambling disorders.

Statistics for Gambling Disorder

Estimations vary among sources, but most reports indicate that about 1 percent of the U.S. population exhibit behaviors that meet the criteria for a diagnosis of gambling disorder. Studies suggest that gambling disorder is about three times more common among men than among women. Gambling disorder appears to be much more common among older teens and younger adults. For example, the National Center for Responsible Gaming indicates that about 6 percent of college students have a serious problem with gambling.

The American Psychiatric Association reports that about half of all people who have gambling disorder have thought about suicide, and that 17 percent of people with this disorder have attempted to kill themselves.

Causes & Risk Factors of Gambling Disorder

As is the case with substance use disorders, a behavioral compulsion such as gambling disorder may result from the confluence of several genetic and environmental factors, including the following:

Genetic: People whose parents struggled or continue to struggle with gambling disorder are at increased risk for developing a similar problem. Also, gambling disorder appears to be more prevalent among individuals who struggle with another mental health disorder, which suggests that a genetic component may be at least partially responsible.

Environmental: Growing up in a family or community where gambling is common increases the likelihood that a person will engage in this behavior which, in turn, raises the risk of developing a gambling-related compulsion. Other environmental factors that may precipitate a gambling problem include experiencing stress, succumbing to peer pressure, and taking certain medications, such as ones that are sometimes prescribed to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease and restless leg syndrome.

Risk Factors:

• Being under age 30
• Being male
• Having a family history of gambling disorder
• Gambling at an early age
• Personal history of substance abuse
• Personal history of another mental health disorder
• Having a highly competitive personality
• Having access to legal or illegal gambling facilities

Signs & Symptoms of Gambling Disorder

The following are among the common signs that may indicate that a person has developed gambling disorder:

Behavioral symptoms:

• Neglecting family, friends, and other responsibilities in order to gamble
• Chasing losses (betting more in order to recoup past losses)
• Betting with increasing frequency
• Betting larger and larger sums of money
• Failing in one's efforts to gamble less or to stop completely
• Lying about one's gambling behaviors
• Borrowing or stealing money in order to cover losses or to continue to gamble

Physical symptoms:

• Feeling an energy boost when winning
• Feeling physical exhaustion after losing
• Irregular sleep patterns
• Failing health due to poor diet and lack of exercise

Causes Of Gambling Disorder

Cognitive symptoms:

• Obsession with gambling
• Inability to concentrate or focus
• Impulsivity
• Impaired judgment

Psychosocial symptoms:

• Feeling the need to gamble as a way of dealing with sadness or stress
• Reliving or re-experiencing past gambling episodes
• Experiencing guilt or remorse after gambling
• Withdrawing from friends, family, and non-gambling activities
• Suicidal ideation

Causes Of Gambling Disorder

Effects of Gambling Disorder

Causes Of Gaming Disorder

Untreated gambling disorder can cause lasting damage to a person's physical, mental, emotional, and/or social well-being, including the following negative outcomes and effects:

• Family discord
• Separation and divorce
• Loss of child custody
• Financial devastation
• Job loss and unemployment
• Substance abuse
• Legal problems
• Suicidal ideation

Gambling Disorder and Co-Occurring Disorders

In many cases, people who have gambling disorder are also dealing with another mental health problem. The following are examples of mental health conditions that have been known to co-occur in individuals who have also been diagnosed with gambling disorder:

• Anxiety disorders
• Depressive disorders
• Substance use disorders
• Personality disorders