Gambling is an activity in which people place bets on the outcome of an event. This can be as simple as placing a bet on a football game, or more complex such as playing a fantasy league or buying scratch tickets. While most individuals gamble responsibly and find it an enjoyable diversion, a small percentage become seriously involved and incur debts that have negative personal, social, and financial impacts. Some even meet criteria for pathological gambling (PG). This article uses the term disordered gambling to describe a range of gambling behavior, from those behaviors that place individuals at risk for more serious problems to those behaviors that meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) diagnostic warning signs of compulsive gambling.
Scientists studying PG have discovered that this behavior has some similarities to drug addiction. Like drug addiction, gambling can change the brain’s reward pathway so that it is no longer a source of pleasure. Gambling also can lead to a vicious cycle of losses and increasing stress as people try to recover their money. Moreover, people who engage in problematic gambling may have a more difficult time stopping because they often feel that it is necessary to get their money back.
The reason that gambling is sometimes compared to drug addiction is that both involve the misuse of substances that alter the way the brain works. However, unlike drugs, gambling does not involve ingesting chemicals and does not cause physical dependence. Nevertheless, the risk for developing problem gambling is similar to the risk for developing substance use disorders (SUDs). For example, both SUDs and PG are associated with a lack of self-control and can have devastating consequences for the person’s life and relationships.
Despite these similarities, the research on gambling is less developed than that on SUDs. Researchers are trying to understand why some people become addicted to gambling and others do not. They are also investigating strategies for preventing and treating problem gambling. One potential treatment is cognitive-behavior therapy, which teaches patients to recognize and resist unhealthy thoughts and behaviors and help them develop better habits. It has been found to be effective in treating other addictions, including SUDs.
In addition to CBT, a variety of other treatments are available. Some involve support groups, such as Gamblers Anonymous. Many states have gambling helplines and other types of assistance. Other treatments are based on medications, such as acamprosate or bupropion, which have shown promise in reducing the urge to gamble. Some studies have also shown that regular exercise can help.
If you or someone you know is having trouble with gambling, try to distract yourself and take up a new activity. You can also seek help through a local or national gambling support group, family and friends, or a professional. In the meantime, avoid isolation and stay away from places where you are likely to see advertisements for gambling. This will keep you focused on other things and prevent you from making the same mistakes again.