Gambling addiction (gambling disorder) is a behavioral addiction in which an individual has difficulty controlling their gambling behavior and continues to gamble despite financial, psychological, or social harms. Symptoms of gambling addiction include constant preoccupation with gambling, chasing losses, concealing gambling behavior, and unsuccessful attempts to quit.
What Are the Symptoms of Gambling Addiction?
Symptoms of gambling addiction include the inability to control the urge to gamble, constantly thinking about gambling, playing again to win back lost money, and continuing to gamble despite negative consequences. When attempting to quit gambling, the individual may experience restlessness, hide their gambling behavior from their family, and encounter financial, social, and psychological problems over time.
Psychological and Behavioral Symptoms of Gambling Addiction
Gambling addiction can affect a person's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. An intense urge to gamble, loss of control, and repeated attempts to quit are among the most prominent signs.
- Constantly Thinking About Gambling: Thinking about bets, games, past winnings, or opportunities to play again throughout the day.
- Loss of Control: Being unable to limit the amount of time and money spent on gambling.
- Chasing Losses: Gambling again in order to win back the money that was lost.
- Restlessness and Irritability: Feeling irritable and anxious when trying to reduce or stop gambling.
- Emotional Escape: Turning to gambling to cope with stress, sadness, loneliness, or boredom.
- Failure in Quit Attempts: Turning back to gambling after a while, despite having made the decision to stop playing.
- Hiding Behavior: Concealing the time spent on gambling, the money lost, or the problems experienced from family and close surroundings.
These symptoms alone do not establish a diagnosis. However, the recurrence of multiple symptoms that negatively affect daily life requires an expert evaluation.
Financial and Social Symptoms of Gambling Addiction
Financial and social symptoms of gambling addiction include increasing debts, hiding expenses, deteriorating family relationships, and the disruption of responsibilities in business life. The effort to win back lost money can further worsen economic problems.
- Indebtedness: Borrowing money to cover increased expenses due to gambling or struggling to pay existing debts.
- Hiding Financial Problems: Not sharing economic losses, accumulated debts, or expenditures with family members.
- Family Conflicts: Financial problems and loss of trust leading to arguments within the family.
- Work and School Problems: Being unable to focus sufficiently on work, education, or other responsibilities due to thoughts related to gambling.
- Withdrawal from Social Relationships: A decrease in time spent with family and friends, and withdrawing from social activities.
- Neglecting Financial Responsibilities: The budget that should be allocated for basic needs decreasing due to gambling and payments being disrupted.
What Causes Gambling Addiction?
Gambling addiction can develop under the influence of genetic predisposition, psychological factors, difficulties in impulse control, and environmental factors. Stress, emotional problems, and easy access to gambling can also increase the risk of addiction. However, these factors can vary from person to person.
The main factors that can play a role in the development of gambling addiction are:
- Genetic Predisposition: Having a history of addiction in the family can increase the risk of gambling addiction.
- Psychological Factors: Anxiety, depressive symptoms, loneliness, and difficulties in coping with stress may be associated with gambling behavior.
- Impulse Control Issues: Difficulties may be experienced in evaluating the consequences of behaviors and limiting the urge to gamble.
- Environmental Factors: Exposure to gambling content and the influence of the social circle can play a role in the development of gambling behavior.
- Cognitive Distortions: Unrealistic beliefs regarding gambling can lead to the continuation of harmful behaviors.
- Co-occurring Mental Health Issues: Conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), mood disorders, and substance use disorders can be seen alongside gambling addiction.
Why Does Gambling Become Addictive?
Gambling can affect the mechanisms of the brain related to reward and motivation processes, leading to the repetition of the behavior. Uncertain outcomes, the mindset of compensating for losses, and unrealistic beliefs regarding gambling can make it difficult for the person to control the behavior. Over time, the urge to gamble can turn into a habit that negatively affects daily life.
The following processes can be effective in the transformation of gambling behavior into an addiction:
- Affecting the Reward System: The expectation of reward associated with gambling behavior can reinforce the repetition of the behavior.
- Impact of Uncertain Outcomes: The unpredictability of outcomes can contribute to the persistence of gambling behavior.
- Illusion of Control: The individual may believe that they can change outcomes dependent on chance through their own behaviors.
- The Idea of Winning Back Losses: The thought of recovering lost money can cause this situation to continue and damages to increase.
- Emotional Factors: The desire to escape from negative emotions and thoughts such as stress and anxiety can sustain the addiction cycle.
Gambling addiction, or in other words, gambling disorder, should not be viewed as a weakness of willpower. Psychological, biological, and environmental factors can be effective together in the occurrence and continuation of this condition.
In the case of gambling addiction (gambling disorder), not only the frequency with which the individual gambles, but also how this situation affects their life
How Is Gambling Addiction Understood?
Gambling addiction (gambling disorder) can manifest itself through the individual's difficulty in controlling their gambling behavior and this situation negatively affecting their daily life. Economic losses, family problems, and the disruption of responsibilities are among the important symptoms. Diagnosis is made through a comprehensive clinical evaluation conducted by a psychiatry specialist.
During the clinical evaluation stage, the following points may be focused on:
- Frequency of Gambling Behavior: The onset of this condition and its change over time are examined.
- Control Over Behavior: It is investigated whether the individual can maintain the limits they set for themselves regarding this condition and the difficulties they experience in quit attempts.
- Impact on Daily Life: The consequences of the condition on family, work, education, and social relationships are evaluated.
- Financial and Psychological Outcomes: The person's economic and psychological problems related to this behavior are assessed.
- Co-occurring Mental Health Issues: Conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders are investigated.
- Clinical Evaluation: Psychiatric interviews and assessment scales appropriate for the individual are utilized when necessary.
The diagnosis of gambling addiction is not based on a single symptom or problem. As a result of examinations and evaluations conducted in clinical settings, a special treatment plan tailored to the person is formulated.
How Is Gambling Addiction Treated?
Psychotherapy applications are one of the fundamental approaches in the treatment of gambling addiction. Specifically, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on recognizing the thoughts and behaviors that trigger gambling behavior and developing healthy coping skills. Psychiatric support, motivational interviewing, and family support can also be utilized during the treatment process. If there is a different mental illness accompanying this condition, treatment specifically targeting these can also be planned.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), is among the scientifically based psychotherapy methods used in the treatment of gambling addiction. During therapy, the individual's thoughts regarding gambling, situations that increase gambling behavior, and habits that cause them to sustain the behavior are addressed.
The following topics may be worked on during the cognitive behavioral therapy process:
- Modifying False Beliefs: Working on unrealistic expectations regarding the outcomes of gambling and the thought of recovering losses.
- Identifying Triggers: Becoming aware of which emotions, thoughts, or situations increase gambling behavior.
- Impulse Control: Developing skills that support not immediately responding with behavior when the urge to gamble arises.
- Alternative Behaviors: Creating healthy options other than gambling to cope with stress, boredom, and negative emotions.
- Prevention of Relapse: Recognizing risky situations in advance and preparing a personal plan against the possibility of gambling again.
Motivational Interviewing and Group Support
An individual experiencing gambling addiction may not feel ready for change in the face of this condition, even if they think they need treatment. Motivational interviewing is used to help the individual understand the ambivalence they are experiencing, set their own goals, and take steps toward change.
Group support can create a supportive environment where people experiencing similar problems can share their experiences. In this process, the individual can be supported in expressing what they live through, realizing they are not alone, and maintaining their motivation for recovery.
- Motivational Interviewing: Supports participation in treatment and determination toward change.
- Group Therapy: Ensures that thoughts and behaviors related to addiction are addressed in a structured environment.
- Peer Support: Can create mutual support among individuals who have similar experiences.
- Family Involvement: Can help loved ones improve their healthy communication and support skills.
Psychiatric Evaluation and Medication Treatment
Gambling addiction can be accompanied by different mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, or substance use disorder. For this reason, during the psychiatric examination, not only gambling behavior, but also the individual's general mood, treatment history, and current complaints are taken into consideration.
- Psychiatric Examination: The severity of addiction, co-occurring mental illnesses, and potential risks are evaluated.
- Medication Treatment: When deemed necessary, medication treatment targeting co-occurring psychiatric illnesses can be planned.
- Evaluating Response to Treatment: Responses given to psychotherapy and other treatment methods are monitored.
- Regular Follow-up: Gambling behavior, symptoms, and the risk of relapse of addiction are monitored.
There is no standard medication treatment for gambling addiction. Whether medication treatment is necessary is evaluated by a psychiatry specialist based on the individual's health status and treatment needs.
How to Overcome Gambling Addiction?
During the process of recovering from gambling addiction, it is important to identify situations that increase the urge to gamble and to change daily habits. Psychotherapy conducted with the support of a psychiatry specialist, family support, and regular follow-up can help the individual combat addiction and sustain the recovery process.
The steps that can be followed to distance oneself from gambling can be listed as follows:
- Recognizing the Problem: Realizing that this condition negatively affects daily life, family relationships, and economic status.
- Getting Expert Support: Discussing the problems experienced with a psychiatry specialist and evaluating treatment options deemed necessary by the specialist.
- Limiting Access to Gambling: Closing accounts related to gambling, blocking notifications, and staying away from triggering content.
- Ensuring Financial Control: Creating a budget plan, organizing expenses, and evaluating debts.
- Recognizing and Identifying Triggers: Determining emotions, thoughts, and environments that increase the urge to gamble and trigger this condition.
- Acquiring Healthy Habits: Giving more space to social activities, individual interests, and regular events in daily life.
- Sustaining Treatment and Follow-up: Continuing the interviews and support studies recommended by the specialist even if there is a decrease in symptoms.
The recovery process in gambling addiction can vary from person to person. When gambling behavior reoccurs, it can be beneficial to understand under what conditions this happened and to review the treatment accordingly.
What Is Virtual Gambling and Betting Addiction?
Virtual gambling and betting addiction is the inability to control gambling behavior performed over the internet and its continuation despite the harms that arise. Digital contents, advertisements, and notifications related to gambling can trigger the urge to play again in individuals trying to quit. For this reason, habits in the online environment also need to be addressed during the treatment process.
Risks that may be among digital risks in virtual gambling addiction can be listed as follows:
- Digital Access and Triggers: Encountering content related to gambling again can make the person's effort to stay away from this condition difficult.
- Repetitive Gambling Behavior: Gambling at frequent intervals can lead to loss of control and an increase in financial damages.
- Loss of Digital Spending Control: Expenses made online being overlooked can cause economic problems to grow.
- Digital Notifications and Advertisements: Being exposed to advertisements and reminders related to gambling can re-instigate gambling behavior.
During the treatment process, it is important to regulate the individual's digital habits, limit access to content connected to gambling, and develop skills to cope with the urge to gamble.
How Does Gambling Addiction Affect the Family?
Gambling addiction negatively affects family life, particularly the relationship of trust and the economic order. Keeping debts secret, disagreements experienced regarding expenses, and recurring arguments can lead family members to drift apart from each other. The continuation of this situation for a long time can cause psychological distress not only in the individual who gambles, but also in their spouse, children, and other loved ones.
Some of the problems that gambling addiction can create in family life are as follows:
- Trust Issues: Concealing gambling behavior or financial losses can create suspicion and distrust among family members.
- Economic Hardships: Accumulated debts and expenses that cannot be met can negatively affect the family's living conditions.
- Psychological Stress: Uncertainties and recurring problems can cause feelings of anxiety, anger, and helplessness in family members.
- Marital Problems: Financial disagreements and communication difficulties can increase tension in the relationship between spouses.
- Impact on Children: Economic and emotional problems within the family can affect children's sense of security and daily life.
- Social Isolation: The family may distance themselves from their social circle due to the problems experienced.
It is important for family members to establish non-judgmental communication, set healthy boundaries, and receive support for their own psychological needs as well.
What Happens If Gambling Addiction Is Not Treated?
When gambling addiction is not treated, problems such as indebtedness, family conflicts, job loss, anxiety, and depression can deepen. Gambling behavior can take up more space in a person's life over time. In severe cases, significant economic losses, deterioration in social relationships, and important risks such as self-harm or suicidal ideation can emerge.
Possible consequences of untreated gambling addiction are:
- Increased Financial Losses: Indebtedness, credit problems, and economic insecurity.
- Mental Health Issues: Depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and intense stress.
- Deterioration in Family Relationships: Loss of trust, constant arguments, and risk of separation.
- Problems in Work and Educational Life: Decreased performance, absenteeism, or job loss.
- Social Isolation: Distancing from friends, family, and social activities.
- Legal Problems: In some cases, legal processes related to debts or gambling behavior.
- Risk of Self-Harm: The emergence of self-harm or suicidal thoughts, especially during severe economic and psychological crises.
Suicidal thoughts associated with gambling addiction must be taken seriously. If the person has thoughts of self-harm, a plan, or an acute safety risk, 112 should be called or the nearest emergency department should be consulted.
Which Doctor to Go to for Gambling Addiction Treatment?
For gambling addiction treatment, a psychiatry specialist or a center operating in the field of addiction treatment should be consulted. The psychiatry specialist evaluates the severity of the gambling behavior and co-occurring mental illnesses. During the treatment process, psychotherapy applied by clinical psychologists, family support, and contributions from other medical specialties when necessary can be utilized.
Specialists who can take part in gambling addiction treatment are:
- Psychiatry Specialist: Evaluates the diagnosis of gambling disorder, investigates co-occurring psychiatric illnesses, and plans medical treatment.
- Clinical Psychologist: Helps modify addiction behavior through cognitive behavioral therapy and other appropriate psychotherapy methods.
- Addiction Treatment Team: Evaluates the psychological, social, and medical needs of the person together.
- Family Therapy Specialists: Address the effects of gambling addiction on family relationships and contribute to the support of family members.
Consulting psychiatry or an addiction treatment center for gambling addiction is important in terms of determining the diagnosis and planning appropriate treatment.
Gambling Addiction Treatment at NPİSTANBUL
NPİSTANBUL Hospital NPAMATEM Addiction Center, offers services for the evaluation and treatment of behavioral addictions, including gambling addiction. With the cooperation of psychiatry, psychology, and related health units, the person's mental state, addiction behavior, and co-occurring health problems are evaluated. The treatment process is planned according to the needs of the person as a result of clinical evaluation.
The main services included within the scope of NPAMATEM Addiction Center are:
- Psychiatric Evaluation: The severity of gambling behavior, the person's mental state, and co-occurring illnesses are evaluated.
- Individual Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy methods supporting the modification of thoughts and behaviors related to addiction can be applied.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: It aims to address thoughts and triggers that sustain gambling behavior.
- Group Therapies: The treatment process can be supported with structured group work in suitable patients.
- Family Therapy and Counseling: The effects of gambling addiction on family relationships can be evaluated, and support directed at loved ones can be provided.
- Medication Treatment: Treatments required by co-occurring mental illnesses or selected clinical conditions can be planned by a psychiatry specialist.
- Inpatient Treatment Evaluation: The suitability of inpatient treatment can be evaluated in individuals with severe psychiatric symptoms, safety risks, or intense monitoring requirements.
- Post-Treatment Follow-up: Follow-up and support aimed at reducing the risk of recurrence of gambling behavior can be planned.
Individual and group therapies, family therapies, psychiatric treatment, and inpatient care services are available within the structure of NPAMATEM. However, not every application is necessary or appropriate for every patient with gambling addiction.
For detailed information about the addiction treatment approach and services, the NPAMATEM Addiction Center page can be reviewed.
