If you enjoy gambling and frequently do so, reaching the point where you ask yourself, “Am I a Gambling Addict?” may feel daunting. It's important to understand that questioning your behaviors and habits is a healthy sign of self-awareness and open-mindedness. It’s also sometimes the first step to realizing that this behavior is becoing a serious problem that needs to be addressed. 

In this article, you'll find the tools to determine if you or someone you know might have a gambling addiction. We will detail what it means to be a gambling addict, the warning signs, how gambling addiction is diagnosed, how to assess your behaviors, ways to begin recovery and how to help yourself or others through treatment.

What it means to be a Gambling Addict

Being a gambling addict means having an uncontrollable urge to gamble, regardless of winning or losing money. This compulsive behavior exceeds one's budget or intent, driven by surges of pleasurable chemicals in the brain that trigger a thrill and the constant chase for a greater reward. Gambling addiction is a chronic mental health condition and behavioral addiction.

If you are a gambling addict, you may experience any or all of the following:

• Financial losses and impacts on financial stability

• Negative impacts on job performance or suffering poor grades in school

• Strained relationships with close friends & family

• Anxiety or depression

• Increased alcohol and drug use

Warning signs of Problem Gambling

Recognizing warning signs of gambling addiction can be challenging, especially since individuals often hide their behaviors, and there are usually no physical signs like with other addictions. Here are some indicators of problem gambling:

Financial Problems:

• Gambling with increasing amounts of money to maintain excitement

• Borrowing money from friends or loved ones to gamble or pay gambling debts

• Taking out loans 

• Difficulty paying bills

• Selling household valuables or sacrificing living essentials

Decline in Personal Wellbeing:

• Irritation and restlessness when trying to cut back on gambling

• Constantly thinking about the next wager

• Resulting conflict with colleagues, friends, or family

• Chasing losses by betting big after a series of losses

• Absences from important events

• Poor performance at work or school

• Changes in personality with increased lying and deceptiveness

• Gambling while in an emotional state or under the influence of drugs or alcohol

How Gambling Addiction is diagnosed

Gambling disorder is classified as a non-substance behavioral addiction by The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Psychologists and other mental health professionals  use a nine-item assessment to diagnose and grade the severity of gambling addiction. An individual who exhibits four or more of these behaviors within a 12-month period may be diagnosed with gambling disorder:

1. Preoccupation with gambling

2. Need to gamble with increasing amounts

3. Restless or irritable when attempting to cut down gambling

4. Unsuccessful efforts to control or stop gambling

5. Gambling as a means to cope with helpless, guilty, anxious or depressed feelings

6. Returning to get even after losing money (“chasing” one’s losses)

7. Lying to hide the extent of gambling measures

8. Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job/educational or career opportunity because of gambling

9. Relies on others to provide money for desperate financial bailouts caused by gambling

How to assess potential Problem Gambling behaviors

The DSM-5 diagnostic survey is a great way to assess where you stand in relation to your gambling habits, but if you want to monitor yourself or a loved one in the gray areas, consider assessing these indicators:

1. Monitor Frequency and Duration:

Keep track of how often and how long the individual spends gambling.

2. Financial Scrutiny:

Observe changes in financial behavior, such as requests for loans, selling personal items or unexplained debts.

3. Emotional Indicators:

Look for signs of distress, anxiety or depression that correlate with gambling activities. Gambling can lead to emotional highs and lows.

4. Social Withdrawal:

Notice if the person is withdrawing from family, friends or social activities. Problem Gambling often leads to isolation.

5. Lying or Secrecy:

Pay attention to whether the individual is being dishonest about their gambling habits or finances. Lying about the extent of their gambling is a common trait.

6. Chasing Losses:

Check if the person continues to gamble in an attempt to recover losses. This is a key behavior in gambling addiction.

7. Neglecting Responsibilities:

Assess if gambling is causing the individual to neglect work, educational or personal responsibilities.

With these, it’s important to note that the individual may deny or resist honesty and openness. Loved ones will have to look deeper to find the true standing.

How to begin recovery for Gambling Addiction

As we’ve outlined previously, the path to recovery starts with the willingness to acknowledge, accept and address the fact that you could or do have a Gambling Addiction. Like a drug or alcohol addiction, a key way to begin recovery is through the desire to get better. Once you establish your intent and your commitment, it’s time to seek professional help, like the services of Birches Health. 

Understanding the process for Gambling Disorder treatment

Birches Health understands that Gambling Addiction treatment is not “one size fits all.” For some, the Birches process starts off with a self-assessment to determine the best course of action, if any is needed. If treatment is the path forward, one of our clinicians then creates a personalized care plan tailored to your needs. With a team of licensed counselors with decades of experience and zero out-of-pocket costs for many individuals, Birches Health provides affordable, convenient treatment from the comfort of home.

As part of the treatment plan, it may be recommended to: 

• Implement financial controls

• Develop coping strategies

• Participate in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to address underlying issues

• Consider medication to treat co-occurring mental health issues like depression and anxiety

• Create and establish routines to avoid excessive free time

• Developing strategies and skills to prevent relapse, such as avoiding triggers and handling stress effectively.

• Establish an Aftercare Plan: Regular follow-up appointments to monitor progress and adjust the care plan if necessary

To supplement the treatment plan, you may also consider:

• Group Therapy to listen and learn from shared experiences

• Family Therapy to address resulting relationship issues and foster a supportive environment

Helping someone you know who may be a Gambling Addict

1. Educate Yourself:

Learn about gambling addiction, the causes and its symptoms to understand what the person is experiencing.

2. Communicate Openly:

Approach the person with compassion and without judgment. Express your concerns and offer your support, plus make them aware of available resources that may help.

3. Encourage Professional Help:

Suggest that the individual seek help from a healthcare provider or an addiction specialist.

4. Offer Practical Support:

Help them research resources and treatment options, and offer to accompany them to appointments if they wish.

5. Set Boundaries:

Establish clear boundaries and relationships with others to protect yourself and avoid enabling the gambling behavior.

6. Support Recovery:

Encourage and support their recovery efforts, celebrating small victories and providing encouragement during potential setbacks.

7. Avoid Financial Bailouts:

Do not lend money or pay off their debts, as this can enable the gambling behavior.

8. Seeking therapy for yourself:

Whether or not your loved one is ready to change their behavior, therapy can help those affected by it through support and identifying effective coping strategies.

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There are many ways to take the first step toward recovery with Birches Health:

• Book Appointment 

• Chat with a Care Specialist 

• Refer Someone Else 

• Free Self-Assessment

Alternatively, you can simply call 833-483-3838 or email hello@bircheshealth.com to get in touch with the Birches team right away.

Resources:

Gambling addiction

Could I have a gambling problem?  

Gambling Disorder