At Betting Sites Australia, we’re big fans of enjoying a casual punt on horse racing and sports. However, we also recognise that, for some people, gambling can become a harrowing addiction with severe consequences.
As part of our commitment to responsible gambling, we’ve put together the below guide on the early warning signs of gambling addiction.
If any of these apply to you, we strongly recommend you reach out to Gambling Help Online, Lifeline, or any other mental health support service to seek help immediately.
Understanding Gambling Addiction
Defining Gambling Addiction
Gambling addiction, also known as pathological gambling, is the uncontrollable urge to gamble despite the negative consequences it may have on one’s life. It is a mental health disorder that affects millions of people worldwide.
Pathological gambling is often accompanied by other mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, and can lead to severe financial problems, strained relationships, and even legal issues.
People with gambling addiction often feel compelled to gamble more frequently and in larger amounts, even when they know it’s harmful.
The Psychology Behind Gambling Addiction
There are many reasons why people develop gambling addiction. Often, it’s a combination of genetic, environmental, and social factors.
For some individuals, gambling addiction may be a way to escape from stress, anxiety, or other negative emotions.
Others may develop gambling addiction due to a lack of impulse control or a need for excitement. Regardless of the underlying cause, gambling addiction triggers the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine, a ‘feel-good’ neurotransmitter.
This rush of dopamine can be highly addictive, leading individuals to crave the same feeling over and over again.
Eventually, this leads to desensitization of the brain’s reward system, prompting individuals to gamble more frequently and in higher amounts to achieve the same feeling of pleasure, which can lead to addiction.
Risk Factors for Developing a Gambling Addiction
Some of the most common risk factors for developing gambling addiction include a family history of addiction, underage gambling, high debt, depression, anxiety, drug abuse, and much more.
Individuals who start gambling at a young age are also more likely to develop gambling addiction later in life. Additionally, those who have experienced trauma or have a history of mental health conditions may be more susceptible to developing gambling addiction.
It’s essential to note that anyone can develop a gambling addiction, regardless of their age, gender, or socioeconomic status. It’s a complex disorder that requires professional treatment to overcome.
Recognising the Early Warning Signs
Gambling addiction is a serious problem that affects millions of people worldwide. It can lead to severe financial and emotional distress, and in some cases, it can even destroy lives.
However, recognising the early warning signs of gambling addiction can help you seek treatment and overcome your addiction before it’s too late.
Preoccupation with Gambling
One of the earliest signs of gambling addiction is a preoccupation with gambling. You may find yourself constantly thinking about gambling, planning your next game, or compulsively watching sports games to see how they impact the odds.
This preoccupation can lead to an obsession with winning, which can cause one to lose sight of other important aspects of life, such as relationships, careers, and personal goals.
It’s essential to recognise this preoccupation with gambling and seek help before it becomes a full-blown addiction. You can start by talking to a counselor or therapist who specializes in gambling addiction.
They can help you understand the underlying causes of your addiction and develop a plan to overcome it.
Increasing Financial Risk
Another clear sign of gambling addiction is increasing financial risk. As your addiction grows, you may start to spend more money on gambling to achieve the same ‘high,’ even if it means risking more than you can afford.
You may find yourself taking out loans, borrowing money from loved ones, or using your credit cards to fund your gambling activities.
This financial risk can quickly spiral out of control, leading to significant debt, bankruptcy, and even homelessness.
It’s crucial to seek help as soon as you recognise this behavior to prevent these devastating consequences.
Chasing Losses
If you find yourself repeatedly trying to win back your gambling losses, it may be a sign of addiction. Chasing losses is common among gambling addicts, as they believe that winning back lost money will cancel out their past losses.
Unfortunately, this behaviour can become a destructive cycle that leads to even more significant financial losses and psychological distress.
It’s important to understand that chasing losses is a myth. The odds are always against you, and the more you gamble, the more you’ll lose.
Seeking help from a professional counselor or therapist can help you break this destructive cycle and learn healthier ways to cope with your emotions.
Loss of Control
As your addiction progresses, you may start to lose control over your gambling activities. You may find yourself unable to resist the allure of gambling, even when you know it’s harmful.
You may also find yourself losing track of time and spending more time gambling than you intended, which can lead to severe consequences.
Losing control over your gambling activities can lead to a range of negative consequences, including financial problems, relationship issues, and even legal troubles.
Seeking help from a professional counsellor or therapist can help you regain control over your life and overcome your addiction.
Lying About Gambling Activities
If you start to lie about your gambling activities or conceal your behaviour from loved ones, it’s time to take a step back and reflect. Lying becomes a way of avoiding responsibility and feeling like you have to hide something.
Lying about your gambling activities can lead to a loss of trust in your loved ones and can further isolate you from the support you need to recover.
Seeking help from a professional counselor or therapist can help you learn how to be honest with yourself and others about your addiction.
Neglecting Responsibilities
Finally, if you start to neglect your responsibilities to gamble, it’s a clear sign of addiction. You may skip work, school, or important life events to gamble, leading to consequences like job loss, decreased performance or grades, strained relationships, and much more.
Neglecting your responsibilities can have severe consequences that can impact your life for years to come.
Seeking help from a professional counselor or therapist can help you learn how to prioritise your responsibilities and overcome your addiction.
The Impact of Gambling Addiction on Mental Health
Anxiety and Depression
Gambling addiction can have serious mental health consequences. Studies link it to an increased risk of anxiety and depression, which can manifest as reduced energy, loss of interest in activities, hopelessness, and much more.
Sleep Disturbances
Insomnia and other sleep disturbances are also common among people with gambling addiction.
The excitement and anticipation associated with gambling can lead to sleep deprivation, leading to issues like irritability, fatigue, and decreased cognitive function.
Substance Abuse
Unfortunately, many gambling addicts turn to substance abuse to cope with their addiction.
Drugs and alcohol can provide temporary relief, but they can also exacerbate symptoms and lead to addiction.
Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviours
Gambling addiction has been linked to an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
The feelings of hopelessness and desperation that come with addiction can make suicide seem like the only option for those struggling with addiction.
Once again, if any of these apply to you, we strongly recommend you reach out to Gambling Help Online, Lifeline, or any other mental health support service to seek help immediately.
