Gambling addiction – how to get help and what are the signs and symptoms to look out for?

GAMBLING is one of the most insidious of vices, in which the lure of easy money soon turns to financial ruin.

It is not always obvious when someone has a gambling addiction. Here are the signs took look out for.

What is gambling addiction?

While the odd flutter can often be fun and exciting, gambling can shift very easily from low-risk recreational hobby to serious addiction within a short time.

Gambling becomes an addiction when it is something you or a loved one cannot control and when it begins to affect a person’s financial, familial, social, recreational, educational, or occupational functioning.

Gambling addiction, much like some forms of substance addiction, is associated with a release of dopamine in the brain as much as 10 times more than what is normal.

Dopamine has been referred to as the “feel good” neurotransmitter, and this special signalling chemical is active throughout the reward centres of the brain.

So the release of dopamine tells your brain, “This feels good! I want more!”

It is because of this that what begins as a harmless good feeling can turn into a compulsive need in some people.

This can lead to gambling dependence in which a person must gamble just to feel good or even to feel normal.

What are the signs of gambling addiction?

The signs of a gambling problem are often the same as the signs of other addictions. Common signs of addiction include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Feeling the need to be secretive about gambling
• Having trouble controlling gambling habits
• Gambling when you cannot afford to
• Your friends and family express concern about your gambling

As with any other addiction, the hallmark sign of a gambling problem is that you feel you cannot stop.

If you feel like you need to try just one more time, or if you feel anxious when you think about quitting, it is highly likely you are suffering from a gambling addiction.

Excessive gambling often causes a multitude of emotional symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts and tendencies.

In extreme situations, these thoughts may lead a gambler to actually making an attempt to end their life.

Losing everything to gambling is devastating and leaves many people feeling completely hopeless.

Because gambling can cause depression, anxiety and self-harming tendencies, there are also several physical signs to look out for.

Depression and anxiety sometimes can lead to sleep deprivation, which may result in pale skin, weight gain or weight loss, acne and dark circles under the eyes.

What help is available?

There's evidence that gambling can be successfully treated in the same way as other addictions.

usually has the best results.