Arandeep Larson 
Upset woman in casino sitting behind poker table
Gambling Addiction is a serious disorder that can have an immense effect on both the individual and their family, with consequences extending far beyond gambling itself. The effects of addiction can be felt across all aspects of life.
Accepting help for gambling addiction is a major step toward recovery. It takes immense strength and courage to admit you have an issue, especially if you’ve lost substantial amounts of money or damaged relationships in the process.
Addiction is characterized by a loss of control
Addicts who become dependent on substances or behaviors like gambling often experience a loss of control over their actions. While they may begin by using the substance or engaging in the behavior to feel good initially, stopping becomes increasingly difficult over time.
Addiction is a chronic medical condition involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics and an individual’s life experiences. Fortunately, addiction is treatable and in many cases curable.
Addiction occurs when someone’s gambling habits become out of control, leading to serious consequences for themselves and their family. Treatments for addiction may include medications and therapy as well as other methods.
Drugs used for substance abuse also work well on compulsive gamblers, and cognitive behavioral therapy can help them break their bad habits. Support groups and 12-step programs like Gamblers Anonymous provide invaluable assistance. Furthermore, compulsive gamblers may need to find employment or adjust personal relationships in order to change their situation.
It causes financial stress
Gambling addiction often leads to financial strain due to its addictive nature. It may lead them to borrow money, spend more than they make and worry about debt payments.
If you’re worried about someone you know, discuss their finances and offer them support. This can be an effective way to help them overcome addiction.
You could also help them create a budget and manage their finances better. Doing this will enable them to stop making impulse purchases, avoid debt accumulation and save for goals.
Furthermore, financial resilience can protect people against the damaging effects of gambling on their finances. This is accomplished by improving their capacity for managing debts, potentially leading to reduced stress levels in times of hardship.
It causes emotional distress
Gambling addiction can lead to anxiety and depression in those affected, as well as make it harder for them to get enough sleep or eat nutritiously.
These symptoms may make it challenging for them to stop gambling and manage their other responsibilities. They may require assistance from friends and family in order to successfully quit.
Gamblers often suffer from other mental health issues like depression or anxiety, so in order to successfully tackle their gambling problems, they may require treatment for these illnesses as well.
Counseling can be invaluable for those suffering from gambling and related problems. It provides them with an opportunity to examine their motivations behind gambling, its effects on relationships and work life, as well as other related matters.
It causes physical health problems
Gambling addiction can have a negative effect on someone’s physical health. It may affect factors like their weight, skin color and mental state of mind.
Depressed feelings may also manifest, leading to depression and anxiety symptoms that could manifest as sleep deprivation. In extreme cases, this could even trigger thoughts of suicide or develop self-harming habits.
Thankfully, there are treatments for gambling addiction that can help individuals curb their harmful behavior. These therapies include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and behavior therapy.
If you or someone close to you is struggling with gambling issues, the first step is seeking help. Many options exist for online therapy from BetterHelp and Talkspace that allows users to connect anytime via video call, phone call or live chat with a therapist.
