Signs You May Have a Gambling Addiction

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSignsWhat Is Your Why?Risk FactorsThe Addict’s BrainCognitive DistortionsGambling Addiction TriggersTreatmentGambling Addiction ControversiesFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Signs

What Is Your Why?

Risk Factors

The Addict’s Brain

Cognitive Distortions

Gambling Addiction Triggers

Treatment

Gambling Addiction Controversies

Frequently Asked Questions

Previously, gambling disorder was known as “pathological gambling” and was classified as an “impulse control disorder.” When the DSM-5 was published in 2013, it was renamedgambling disorderand moved to a new category, “addiction and related disorders,” due to the biological, behavioral, and emotional similarities with other addictions.

Gambling disorder is currently the onlybehavioral addiction(as opposed to substance addiction) included in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-5-TR), although “internet gaming disorder” and others are being considered for this category.

This article will explore the common signs and risk factors for gambling addiction, and review effective treatment options. Knowing the signs can help ensure that you or someone you love gets help and is on the road to recovery.

The Difference Between an Addiction and a Compulsion

Signs of Gambling Addiction

Not all people who gamble have a problem, and in fact, there areseveral types of gamblers, including professional and social gamblers that have healthy boundaries with their finances. However, there are certain key characteristics that people with gambling addictions tend to share.

Gambling addiction involves maladaptive patterns of gambling behavior that the individual persists with despite negative consequences. This is consistent with behavior patterns observed in other addictions.

Compulsive gambling takes many forms and can include buying scratch-off tickets, betting on sports, stock market trading, going to casinos, playing slot machines, card games, bingo, and more. Many of these behaviors are considered a legitimate form of entertainment or employment but can be a dangerous trap for some people.

Warning SignsYou might be addicted if:You are gambling all of your financial resources away (your paycheck, your savings, your retirement, your inheritance), and haveborrowed from Peter to pay Paulas well.You are accruing debt that is out of control, unable to fulfill your financial obligations, and possibly filing bankruptcy (again).You continue to gamble despite experiencing significant losses (relationships, jobs, and even your home).You have made gambling a priority over everything and everyone, even neglecting your own hygiene and basic health needs.

Warning Signs

You might be addicted if:You are gambling all of your financial resources away (your paycheck, your savings, your retirement, your inheritance), and haveborrowed from Peter to pay Paulas well.You are accruing debt that is out of control, unable to fulfill your financial obligations, and possibly filing bankruptcy (again).You continue to gamble despite experiencing significant losses (relationships, jobs, and even your home).You have made gambling a priority over everything and everyone, even neglecting your own hygiene and basic health needs.

You might be addicted if:

You are gambling all of your financial resources away (your paycheck, your savings, your retirement, your inheritance), and haveborrowed from Peter to pay Paulas well.

You are accruing debt that is out of control, unable to fulfill your financial obligations, and possibly filing bankruptcy (again).

You continue to gamble despite experiencing significant losses (relationships, jobs, and even your home).

You have made gambling a priority over everything and everyone, even neglecting your own hygiene and basic health needs.

Factors Associated With Risk-Taking Behaviors

To be diagnosed with gambling disorder, it will be evident that you have lost control over your gambling behaviors, and this addiction is causing significant distress and dysfunction in multiple areas of your life. The criteria for a diagnosis of gambling disorder are similar to other addictions, and include the following symptoms:

Money is central to the experience of gambling. People with gambling addiction, as with most people, attach many different positive attributes to money, such as security, power, comfort, and freedom. Many people share an underlying desire to escape the 9 to 5 grind, to live life more fully, to become a more charitable giver, or to retire early and move to paradise.

Whatever the reason, compulsive gamblers fail to establish appropriate guardrails with their money, putting them at a higher risk of losing all of those desirable attributes and outcomes that more traditional financial planning could bring. Like resisting the laws of gravity, gambling addicts try to circumvent the fact that the odds are disproportionately stacked against them and the “house wins” over 90% of the time for most games.

And when they do win, people with gambling addictions tend to gamble away their winnings quickly because there is always a bigger win to be had.

Risk Factors for Gambling Addiction

A gambling disorder can result from a combination of genetic, environmental, psychological, and social factors, many of which are still being researched. Some of the most common risk factors include:

RecapThe exact causes of gambling disorder are not known, but a combination of factors may play a part. Genetics, personality, mental health conditions, and life experiences can contribute to the development of a gambling addiction.

Recap

The exact causes of gambling disorder are not known, but a combination of factors may play a part. Genetics, personality, mental health conditions, and life experiences can contribute to the development of a gambling addiction.

What Is an Addictive Personality?

Like other addictions, the dopamine rush from every win affects the reward center of the brain, causing brief excitement and euphoria. This experience of pleasure reinforces the behavior and encourages more. It is a thrilling experience to win, and you begin to think of all the ways you could enjoy life with even more wins. But it’s a trap. More wins bring even more losses, and over time, you can spiral out of control with a devastating addiction.

According to behavioral theorists, gambling is rewarded in unpredictable ways, and it is enough to provide a big thrill at the winning moment and to instill hope for more. This makes people even more likely to continue to gamble because they know there is another win ahead at some point. This is known as thevariable-ratio schedule of reinforcementmaking gambling more addictive and even more challenging to overcome.

Can You Be Addicted to Dopamine?

Cognitive Distortions in Gambling Addiction

Gambling is an ineffective and unreliable way of acquiring money. For someone to become addicted to gambling, their cognitions or thought processes mustbecome distortedto the point where this central truth eludes them.

Some researchers classify the cognitive distortions of gambling pathology into three categories: incorrect understanding of probability, illusion of control, and superstitions.Here are a few ways the thoughts of people with a gambling problem are distorted:

Incorrect Understanding of Probability

Illusion of Control

Superstitions

Many of these thought distortions lead to highly ritualized patterns of behavior, which are characteristic of addictions.

While triggers are not the same for everyone, there are several common ones that can interfere with the road to recovery for someone with a gambling problem, including:

Treatment for Gambling Addiction

Recovering from a gambling addiction takes hard work, however, there are several treatments that have been found to be effective, including:

Psychotherapy

Cognitive behavioral therapyandbehavioral therapyare often used to help change the thoughts and behaviors that lead to gambling. Learning to identify distorted thinking patterns that maintain unhealthy behavior is the first step. Breaking the schedule of reinforcement for gambling behaviors and establishing appropriate financial goals. Family therapy may also be encouraged if the gambling has caused relationship conflicts.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Medication

Although there are no FDA-approved medications for gambling disorder, antidepressants and mood stabilizers have been found helpful for those with other psychiatric disorders that often accompany a gambling problem, such as anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and personality disorders. In addition, if there are co-occurring substance use disorders, narcotic antagonists have been found useful in treating chemical addictions.

Support Groups

Support groups likeGamblers Anonymous(Gam-Anon), are often used as part of treatment and to prevent relapse. In addition to offering important social support, talking to others who have similar experiences can be a way to gain information, tips, and encouragement.

SMART Recoveryis a CBT-based alternative to12-step programs. The program focuses on helping people improve their motivation to quit, deal with urges to gamble, address other problems that contribute to gambling, and find balance in their lives. The group also has an online community that offers support, local in-person meetings, and online meetings.

Self-Help Groups for Shopping Addiction

Financial Counseling

Talking to a financial counselor can also help you sort out any difficulties you have with money as a result of your gambling, develop a solid financial plan to get out of debt, and start saving money.

Like otherbehavioral addictions, gambling addiction is a controversial idea. Many experts balk at the idea that gambling can constitute an addiction, believing that there has to be a psychoactive substance that produces symptoms, such as physical tolerance and withdrawal, for an activity to be a true addiction.

This is partly due to financial input from the gambling industry, whose contribution is tiny compared to the massive profits they make but greatly exceeds funding for research or treatment of any other behavioral addiction. This funding has greatly increased public awareness of gambling problems and treatment services, but there is a potential conflict of interest when funding comes from a source that makes a profit from gambling addiction.

A Word From Verywell

A gambling addiction can have devastating effects on individuals and families, but recovery is possible. If you believe that you or someone you love has a gambling disorder, talk to your doctor or mental health professional about your treatment options.

The Best Online Therapy ProgramsWe’ve tried, tested and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain.

Frequently Asked QuestionsGambling is addictive because it stimulates the brain’s reward system. Similar to alcohol and drugs, gambling activates the brain’s reward system, which leads to feelings of satisfaction and pleasure. Continued exposure causes the brain to respond less to rewards, so it takes more stimulation to continue producing the same pleasurable effects.Talking about the problem and encouraging them to get help are important first steps. Emphasize that you are concerned, that you care, and that you can help them find the support they need to address their gambling addiction. While you cannot force them to seek treatment, you can offer to go with them to therapy appointments or support group meetings.Learn More:How to Help Someone With an AddictionSelf-help strategies and support groups can also be beneficial. As you are recovering, find ways to avoid your gambling triggers and look for alternatives to gambling. Utilize distractions when you feel the urge to gamble or enlist the help of a friend who can talk to you until the urge passes. If you are still struggling, reach out to a therapist. Effective treatments are available that can help you overcome a gambling addiction, including psychotherapy and medication.Learn More:How to Overcome an Addiction

Gambling is addictive because it stimulates the brain’s reward system. Similar to alcohol and drugs, gambling activates the brain’s reward system, which leads to feelings of satisfaction and pleasure. Continued exposure causes the brain to respond less to rewards, so it takes more stimulation to continue producing the same pleasurable effects.

Talking about the problem and encouraging them to get help are important first steps. Emphasize that you are concerned, that you care, and that you can help them find the support they need to address their gambling addiction. While you cannot force them to seek treatment, you can offer to go with them to therapy appointments or support group meetings.Learn More:How to Help Someone With an Addiction

Learn More:How to Help Someone With an Addiction

Self-help strategies and support groups can also be beneficial. As you are recovering, find ways to avoid your gambling triggers and look for alternatives to gambling. Utilize distractions when you feel the urge to gamble or enlist the help of a friend who can talk to you until the urge passes. If you are still struggling, reach out to a therapist. Effective treatments are available that can help you overcome a gambling addiction, including psychotherapy and medication.Learn More:How to Overcome an Addiction

Learn More:How to Overcome an Addiction

13 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stinchfield R, McCready J, Turner NE, et al.Reliability, validity, and classification accuracy of the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for gambling disorder and comparison to DSM-IV.J Gambl Stud. 2016;32(3):905–922. doi:10.1007/s10899-015-9573-7American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Ed., Text Revision (DSM-5-TR); 2022.Potenza MN.Non-substance addictive behaviors in the context of DSM-5.Addict Behav. 2014;39(1):1-2. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.09.004Yau YHC, Potenza MN.Gambling disorder and other behavioral addictions: Recognition and treatment.Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2015;23(2):134-146. doi:10.1097/HRP.0000000000000051GamblingSites.org.The house edge and its effect.Black DW, Shaw M, Coryell W, Crowe R, McCormick B, Allen J.Age at onset of DSM-IV pathological gambling in a non-treatment sample: Early- versus later-onset.Compr Psychiatry. 2015;60:40-46. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2015.04.007Rash C, Weinstock J, Van Patten R.A review of gambling disorder and substance use disorders.SAR. 2016;7:3–13. doi:10.2147/SAR.S83460Lister JJ, Milosevic A, Ledgerwood DM.Personality traits of problem gamblers with and without alcohol dependence.Addictive Behaviors. 2015;47:48-54. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2015.02.021Etuk R, Shirk SD, Grubbs J, Kraus SW.Gambling problems in US military veterans.Curr Addict Rep. 2020;7(2):210-228. doi:10.1007/s40429-020-00310-2Stojnić D, Ricijaš N, Zoričić Z.Cognitive distortions of patients in the gambling addicts’ club - Differences with regard to age and length of treatment.Psychiat Danub. 2019;3(31):316-324. doi:10.24869/psyd.2019.316Jazaeri SA, Habil MHB.Reviewing two types of addiction - Pathological gambling and substance use.Indian J Psychol Med. 2012;34(1):5-11. doi:10.4103/0253-7176.96147Clark L.Disordered gambling: The evolving concept of behavioral addiction.Ann NY Acad Sci. 2014;1327(1):46-61. doi:10.1111/nyas.12558Nikkinen J.Funding of gambling studies and its impact on research.Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. 2019;36(6):491-495. doi:10.1177/1455072519878127

13 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stinchfield R, McCready J, Turner NE, et al.Reliability, validity, and classification accuracy of the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for gambling disorder and comparison to DSM-IV.J Gambl Stud. 2016;32(3):905–922. doi:10.1007/s10899-015-9573-7American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Ed., Text Revision (DSM-5-TR); 2022.Potenza MN.Non-substance addictive behaviors in the context of DSM-5.Addict Behav. 2014;39(1):1-2. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.09.004Yau YHC, Potenza MN.Gambling disorder and other behavioral addictions: Recognition and treatment.Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2015;23(2):134-146. doi:10.1097/HRP.0000000000000051GamblingSites.org.The house edge and its effect.Black DW, Shaw M, Coryell W, Crowe R, McCormick B, Allen J.Age at onset of DSM-IV pathological gambling in a non-treatment sample: Early- versus later-onset.Compr Psychiatry. 2015;60:40-46. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2015.04.007Rash C, Weinstock J, Van Patten R.A review of gambling disorder and substance use disorders.SAR. 2016;7:3–13. doi:10.2147/SAR.S83460Lister JJ, Milosevic A, Ledgerwood DM.Personality traits of problem gamblers with and without alcohol dependence.Addictive Behaviors. 2015;47:48-54. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2015.02.021Etuk R, Shirk SD, Grubbs J, Kraus SW.Gambling problems in US military veterans.Curr Addict Rep. 2020;7(2):210-228. doi:10.1007/s40429-020-00310-2Stojnić D, Ricijaš N, Zoričić Z.Cognitive distortions of patients in the gambling addicts’ club - Differences with regard to age and length of treatment.Psychiat Danub. 2019;3(31):316-324. doi:10.24869/psyd.2019.316Jazaeri SA, Habil MHB.Reviewing two types of addiction - Pathological gambling and substance use.Indian J Psychol Med. 2012;34(1):5-11. doi:10.4103/0253-7176.96147Clark L.Disordered gambling: The evolving concept of behavioral addiction.Ann NY Acad Sci. 2014;1327(1):46-61. doi:10.1111/nyas.12558Nikkinen J.Funding of gambling studies and its impact on research.Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. 2019;36(6):491-495. doi:10.1177/1455072519878127

Stinchfield R, McCready J, Turner NE, et al.Reliability, validity, and classification accuracy of the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for gambling disorder and comparison to DSM-IV.J Gambl Stud. 2016;32(3):905–922. doi:10.1007/s10899-015-9573-7American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Ed., Text Revision (DSM-5-TR); 2022.Potenza MN.Non-substance addictive behaviors in the context of DSM-5.Addict Behav. 2014;39(1):1-2. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.09.004Yau YHC, Potenza MN.Gambling disorder and other behavioral addictions: Recognition and treatment.Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2015;23(2):134-146. doi:10.1097/HRP.0000000000000051GamblingSites.org.The house edge and its effect.Black DW, Shaw M, Coryell W, Crowe R, McCormick B, Allen J.Age at onset of DSM-IV pathological gambling in a non-treatment sample: Early- versus later-onset.Compr Psychiatry. 2015;60:40-46. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2015.04.007Rash C, Weinstock J, Van Patten R.A review of gambling disorder and substance use disorders.SAR. 2016;7:3–13. doi:10.2147/SAR.S83460Lister JJ, Milosevic A, Ledgerwood DM.Personality traits of problem gamblers with and without alcohol dependence.Addictive Behaviors. 2015;47:48-54. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2015.02.021Etuk R, Shirk SD, Grubbs J, Kraus SW.Gambling problems in US military veterans.Curr Addict Rep. 2020;7(2):210-228. doi:10.1007/s40429-020-00310-2Stojnić D, Ricijaš N, Zoričić Z.Cognitive distortions of patients in the gambling addicts’ club - Differences with regard to age and length of treatment.Psychiat Danub. 2019;3(31):316-324. doi:10.24869/psyd.2019.316Jazaeri SA, Habil MHB.Reviewing two types of addiction - Pathological gambling and substance use.Indian J Psychol Med. 2012;34(1):5-11. doi:10.4103/0253-7176.96147Clark L.Disordered gambling: The evolving concept of behavioral addiction.Ann NY Acad Sci. 2014;1327(1):46-61. doi:10.1111/nyas.12558Nikkinen J.Funding of gambling studies and its impact on research.Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. 2019;36(6):491-495. doi:10.1177/1455072519878127

American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Ed., Text Revision (DSM-5-TR); 2022.

Potenza MN.Non-substance addictive behaviors in the context of DSM-5.Addict Behav. 2014;39(1):1-2. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.09.004

Yau YHC, Potenza MN.Gambling disorder and other behavioral addictions: Recognition and treatment.Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2015;23(2):134-146. doi:10.1097/HRP.0000000000000051

GamblingSites.org.The house edge and its effect.

Black DW, Shaw M, Coryell W, Crowe R, McCormick B, Allen J.Age at onset of DSM-IV pathological gambling in a non-treatment sample: Early- versus later-onset.Compr Psychiatry. 2015;60:40-46. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2015.04.007

Rash C, Weinstock J, Van Patten R.A review of gambling disorder and substance use disorders.SAR. 2016;7:3–13. doi:10.2147/SAR.S83460

Lister JJ, Milosevic A, Ledgerwood DM.Personality traits of problem gamblers with and without alcohol dependence.Addictive Behaviors. 2015;47:48-54. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2015.02.021

Etuk R, Shirk SD, Grubbs J, Kraus SW.Gambling problems in US military veterans.Curr Addict Rep. 2020;7(2):210-228. doi:10.1007/s40429-020-00310-2

Stojnić D, Ricijaš N, Zoričić Z.Cognitive distortions of patients in the gambling addicts’ club - Differences with regard to age and length of treatment.Psychiat Danub. 2019;3(31):316-324. doi:10.24869/psyd.2019.316

Jazaeri SA, Habil MHB.Reviewing two types of addiction - Pathological gambling and substance use.Indian J Psychol Med. 2012;34(1):5-11. doi:10.4103/0253-7176.96147

Clark L.Disordered gambling: The evolving concept of behavioral addiction.Ann NY Acad Sci. 2014;1327(1):46-61. doi:10.1111/nyas.12558

Nikkinen J.Funding of gambling studies and its impact on research.Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. 2019;36(6):491-495. doi:10.1177/1455072519878127

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Signs of Gambling Addiction#

Warning Signs#

Risk Factors for Gambling Addiction#

Recap#

Cognitive Distortions in Gambling Addiction#

Treatment for Gambling Addiction#

Psychotherapy#

Medication#

Support Groups#

Financial Counseling#

A Word From Verywell#