Gambling Addiction - Health and Psychological Effects

Many studies have shown that gambling can be attractive and addictive because it increases adrenaline in the brain. The competitive nature of these activities has been scientifically proven to be a factor that makes people excited.

However, participating in gambling activities regularly to the point of becoming an addiction can lead to many unpredictable harmful effects on a person's physical, psychological and mental health.

Gamblers are constantly at risk of depression, migraines, digestive problems and constant anxiety. In the long run, a life filled with these symptoms can lead to dangerous behaviors such as self-harm or suicide.

Symptoms of gambling addiction

- Desire to participate in competitive activities.

- Easily fall into depression or regret after each time "burning" money on gambling.

- They want to play more and more regardless of winning or losing. Especially after each loss, they want to recoup instead of stopping.

- Heavy debt: most gamblers spend all their own money, borrow money or borrow from others to gamble; serious addicts even put aside all other work to focus on gambling with the hope of quickly recovering the lost money.

- Loss of self-control.

- Continued gambling despite all warnings and negative consequences that have occurred.

- Repeated failures to quit.

- Often haunted by the desire to recoup, "win or lose" with others or get rich quickly without having to work hard.

- Suffer from stress-related health problems (migraines, digestive disorders, lack of sleep or insomnia...).

- When not allowed to participate in gambling activities, addicts feel uncomfortable and frustrated.

Easily fall into depression or regret after each time "burning" money on gambling

Causes of gambling addiction

Gambling addiction should not be confused with a financial problem. It is a psychological and emotional phenomenon, but it can have serious financial consequences, damage the addict's relationships, and even ruin his career and life.

Anyone who engages in gambling or competitive activities is at risk of addiction if they do not have a full understanding of the possible consequences and their own responsibility. Most people who are addicted to gambling only realize that they are in trouble after some serious consequences or losses have occurred.

It is interesting to note that many of those who become addicted to gambling are responsible, caring individuals. Many studies have shown that these people began to indulge in gambling after certain events that caused them to change their behavior or daily routine, such as retirement, unemployment, difficulties at work, and traumatic events.

Many studies have also shown that people who have become addicted to one substance are more likely to develop another. Because of this, some people with gambling addictions also have drinking or debauchery habits.

Family plays an important role in the formation of gambling addiction in people. Surveys in many countries show that gamblers under 18 years old account for a significant number of total gambling addicts.

Family lifestyle and education contribute significantly to the formation of children's gambling addiction. Next, the ease of access to gambling activities (sports betting, online gambling games, public slot machines...) is one of the important reasons for the increase in the number of young gamblers. The majority of gambling addicts participating in long-term treatment admit that they started gambling from a young age.

Suffer from stress-related health problems (migraines, digestive disorders, lack of sleep or insomnia...)

In addition, a person's gambling addiction can also be related to genes. "Gambling addiction can be inherited" - concluded scientists from the University of Missouri (USA) and the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (Brisbane, Australia) in a research published in the journal Twin Research and Human Genetics in 2010.

Many of the gambling addicts surveyed had one or both parents who were alcoholics or involved in gambling activities, and scientists have found a genetic link in these cases.

Treatment of gambling addiction

Once a gambling addiction has negatively affected many aspects of a person’s life, treatment is necessary. Gamblers will undergo a comprehensive examination and assessment to determine the exact source of their gambling addiction.

Treatments are only effective when they are tailored to the cause of gambling addiction and the specific needs of each addict. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most common treatments for gambling addiction. It helps patients practice self-control and reduce their cravings for gambling activities.

The goal of treatment is to help patients abandon the wrong behaviors that lead them to engage in competitive activities to satisfy themselves. To ensure a high chance of success, the treatment and support process must not only focus on the patient himself, but must also include consideration and assessment of other areas of his life (financial status, career, education, criminal record...) and require interaction and support from the relationships around him such as: family and relatives.

According to Dantri