Gambling addiction and mental health: Understanding the connection

Placing bets on everything from your favorite sports team or the likelihood of certain political or other real-life events has never been easier with betting apps on mobile devices and the prevalence of electronic casino games and more in gas stations and corner stores.

These "conveniences" are among the complicated factors leading to a tremendous and ongoing rise in gambling addictions, also known as problem gambling or gambling disorder.

Profound consequences

While many people who sporadically gamble for entertainment never develop serious problems, those who become problem gamblers are faced with a host of severe consequences from financial losses and legal problems to job and relationship loss and increased risk of suicide. In fact, gambling addiction is linked with the highest suicide risk of any substance use or addictive disorder.

Research has shown that gambling can stimulate the brain's reward system in much the same way as drugs and alcohol do. And problem gambling is often associated with other behavioral health disorders including anxiety and depression.

Risk factors

Although the exact cause of gambling addiction is not understood, there are genetic, biological and social risk factors that increase the chances of developing a gambling disorder. Compulsive gambling is more common in men than women, and gambling in early childhood or teenage years increases the risk of becoming a gambling addict.

Signs and symptoms of gambling addiction include:

• Preoccupation with gambling, continuously thinking about/planning future gambling
• Needing to gamble with increasing sums of money to achieve the same thrill
• Repeated unsuccessful attempts to stop or cut back gambling
• Using gambling to escape problems, relieve anxiety, depression or stress
• Chasing gambling losses or gambling more in an attempt to recoup a major loss or get even
• Lying to family members/friends to cover up the magnitude of gambling
• Losing important relationships or professional opportunities because of gambling activity
• Depending on others for help with financial problems caused by gambling

Gambling addiction typically takes a large toll on mental health and well-being with increasing feelings of shame, guilt and helplessness that often lead to an inability to sleep, loss of appetite, isolation and loss of interest in things other than gambling. But early intervention and treatment can help; therapy can pave the way to a healthy future without addiction.

Integrated treatment

Because many compulsive gamblers are also dealing with co-occurring mental health issues, integrated treatment to address root causes and all issues is important and offers the best chance of success.

Expanding on our addictions and dual diagnosis services, our new Gambling Addiction program is an evidence-based program, utilizing acceptance commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and personalized care with individual and group counseling. The program is available through our Plainfield and Naperville partial hospitalization program (PHP) and intensive outpatient program (IOP).

Led by a certified gambling addiction professional, the program's team provides resources designed specifically to address the complex issues and problems compulsive gamblers face. From free financial counseling to technology that blocks mobile gambling apps, counselors offer emotional support and practical strategies to treat gambling addiction.

People in treatment have a far higher rate of success in beating gambling addiction than those who try to quit on their own. Compulsive gambling is a complex condition and successful treatment is also multi-faceted.

Help is available. To learn more about our new Gambling Addiction, program call our 24/7 help line at (847) 432-5464.