How to Recognize If You Have Gambling Addiction

Chipy.com is not just a casino community that offers entertainment and features gambling-related content. We also urge players to practice gambling responsibly and always be in control of their actions. 

We acknowledge that gambling addiction is a real issue that affects many people and we do everything in our power to keep our players from reaching that point.

We understand that gambling addiction is not always manageable and it can easily get out of hand. Therefore, we would like to remind our users that there are lots of ways to combat addiction and keep themselves safe. 

Gambling has been and continues to be frowned upon by many, mostly because of its addictive nature. Still, if done responsibly it can be a very entertaining and rewarding activity. 

So, should an addiction arise, Chipy.com is here to provide helpful resources. If you are reading this and feel like you can relate, please know that you are not alone. 

If you believe that you or your loved ones may be addicted to gambling, keep on reading. This is a safe place we created in order to provide you with information on how to battle gambling addiction.

Different Types Of Gambling Addiction Explained

Gambling addiction is a complex issue that comes in many forms and shapes, and it’s vital to understand its nature in order to successfully put up a fight against it.

Nearly 50 years ago, gambling addiction was seen as nothing more than rogue behavior, until Dr. Robert L. Custer stepped in and changed the way compulsive gambling is perceived.

A pioneer of gambling addiction treatment, Dr. Robert L. Custer was the first psychiatrist to regard out-of-control gambling as a serious problem that needed professional medical attention.  

There is a lot of stigma attached to gambling addiction, as many still fail to recognize it as a real disease that can lead to severe psychological and physical damage.

As a result, many people that struggle with this addiction are reluctant to seek help because of the negative social constructs surrounding gambling. 

This means there’s even more scientific evidence that backs up Dr. Robert L. Custer’s research on gambling addiction. 

As stated by the Haynes Clinic, there are  6 categories of gambling types that vary from low and mild to high-risk and life-threatening. 

We will discuss each of these 6 types down below.

Casual Social Gamblers

For casual social gamblers, there’s most of the time no reason to be worried about. This means they are engaging in gambling activities every now and then just as a way to relax and have some fun. 

People who gamble occasionally won’t spend large amounts of money on casino games and will know when it’s the time to stop. For them, gambling is just a recreational activity, and have many other interests and hobbies. 

However, in some cases, casual gamblers can develop compulsive tendencies, but it’s usually due to a traumatic event, such as the loss of a loved one. 

In these situations, compulsive gambling is regarded as a way to cope with emotional trauma. Nonetheless, it is an unhealthy coping mechanism.

Sometimes, even a happy event, such as hitting a massive jackpot, can lead to gambling addiction. Winning a large amount of money can motivate a player to gamble more often in the hope of winning again.

All in all, occasional gambling is harmless and highly encouraged. Even so, the gambling addiction is real and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Heavy Social Gamblers

As opposed to casual social gamblers who have other hobbies as well, heavy social gamblers consider gambling their main source of entertainment. Still, they can control their gambling habits and only see gambling as a way to have fun.

However, for this type of gambler is very easy to develop compulsive tendencies and start gambling uncontrollably. This is usually triggered by a traumatic event, mental health issues, stress, anxiety, etc. 

Should a heavy social gambler turn into a gambling addict, he/she would need to seek immediate help. And luckily, nowadays there are numerous methods to combat gambling addiction.

All things considered, if a heavy social gambler is able to keep things under control, there shouldn’t be any reasons to worry about it. 

Professional Gamblers

Professional gamblers make a living by gambling, so technically this type of gambler shouldn’t be at risk of developing an addiction.

As gambling experts they most of the time understand the dangers of addiction and make sure not to cross that line. However, there’s no guarantee that a professional gambler couldn’t turn into an addict. 

Professional gamblers require high levels of rational thinking and self-control, but sometimes addiction can settle in, as they can also be affected by mental health issues or deal with personal problems or traumatic events.

In short, professional gamblers will most likely not be affected by addiction. However, due to high exposure to gambling, they should always be vigilant and take immediate action to the first signs of gambling addiction.

Escape & Distraction Gamblers

According to Mayo Clinic, people who gamble compulsively often experience depression or anxiety.

Escape & distraction gamblers use gambling as a method to get away from whatever they struggle with, be it depression, anxiety, anger, loneliness, and more. 

Nonetheless, people who develop a gambling addiction due to trauma are more in control of their impulses than compulsive gamblers. 

Therefore, seeking medical help to deal with their mental health issues should also reduce the frequency of their gambling habits.

Bottom line, for some people, poor mental health and gambling addiction go hand in hand. So, it’s important for these issues to be addressed in a timely manner in order to get proper help and fully recover.

Compulsive-Pathological Gamblers

This is the most dangerous type of gambling addiction, as compulsive-pathological gamblers no longer have control over their gambling habits. They are consumed by gambling and this activity affects every aspect of their life.

Based on findings from sciencedirect.com, pathological gambling is classified as an impulse control disorder, usually associated with drug abuse and alcoholism. 

What’s more, compulsive gamblers most likely suffer from depression, anxiety, and mood swings. Even though they may experience feelings of guilt and remorse, they lack the necessary self-control to stop themselves from gambling.

Their entire self-worth is directly linked to losses and wins. And although they lose more often than they win, pathological gamblers will continue to gamble uncontrollably.

This could lead to:

• Losing massive amounts of money;
• Losing their house, car, and other valuable assets;
• Unemployment;
• Expulsion from school;
• Relationship problems with family, friends, and romantic partners (including divorce);
• Health issues, both physical and psychological.

As stated by Dr. Timothy W. Fong, in his research paper The Biopsychosocial Consequences of Pathological Gambling: 

“Pathological gambling is a disorder that can have many diverse and unintended consequences. From a medical perspective, pathological gamblers are at increased risk to develop stress-related conditions, such as hypertension, sleep deprivation, cardiovascular disease, and peptic ulcer disease.”

Antisocial Personality Gamblers

This type of gambler needs to be discussed in more detail, as their gambling habits could seriously harm the people around them, as well as themselves.

Pathological gamblers can also show signs of antisocial behavior, especially when confronted about their compulsive gambling. However, antisocial personality gamblers are directly linked to antisocial personality disorder. 

Antisocial personality gambling is classified as a psychiatric disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders by American Psychiatric Association.

In a review in Springer's Journal of Gambling Studies, Dr. Meredith Brown and her colleagues from Monash University, Australia, note that gambling addicts share similar characteristics with people suffering from antisocial, borderline, and narcissistic personality disorders. 

Antisocial personality gamblers usually have a history of unlawful behavior, they engage in illegal gambling activities, and their sole purpose is to win large amounts of money by doing whatever is needed.

They lack empathy, remorse, and common sense. More often than not, antisocial personality gamblers are impulsive, aggressive, manipulative, and can easily cheat and lie to achieve their goals.

If you or someone you love shows signs of antisocial personality, please know that this is a safe place created for people that need help and guidance through a difficult time. 

How To Identify Antisocial Personality In Gamblers

Dr. Seyed Amir Jazaeri and Dr. Mohammad Hussain Bin Habil state in their joint-authored paper on pathological gambling, “Reviewing Two Types of Addiction – Pathological Gambling and Substance Use”, that if at least 5 of the following criteria are met, the nature of one’s gambling addiction might be pathological:

• Preoccupation. A gambler with antisocial personality traits will only have one thing in mind - gambling. He/she is consumed by thoughts of past and future gambling experiences, as well as fantasizing about gambling.
• Tolerance. Similar to drug tolerance, an antisocial personality gambler will need to frequently bet large amounts of money in order to feel satisfied.
• Withdrawal. If their gambling needs are not met as often as they would like to, antisocial personality gamblers will experience feelings of restlessness and irritability.
• Escape. Antisocial personality gamblers use gambling as a coping mechanism to avoid dealing with their problems and improve their mood.
• Chasing. Someone affected by this disorder will try to win back their losses by gambling even more.
• Lying. Gamblers with a pathological addiction will often try to hide the magnitude of their problem by lying to family, friends, and romantic partners.
• Loss of control. These types of gamblers do not have control over their gambling habits and are unable to stop themselves from engaging in this activity.
• Illegal acts. As they require large amounts of money to feed their addiction, antisocial personality gamblers will often break the law to obtain more gambling money or recover losses caused by excessive gambling.
• Risked significant relationship. Despite risking their relationship with family, friends, or romantic partners, pathological gamblers are not able to stop themselves from gambling.
• Bailout. After exhausting all their financial resources on gambling, antisocial personality gamblers will often turn to family, friends, or a third party for financial support.
• Biological bases. Gamblers affected by this disorder lack norepinephrine. According to everydayhealth.com, norepinephrine is a chemical that plays an important role in mood regulation. Low levels of norepinephrine can lead to ADHD, depression, and hypotension (very low blood pressure).

Gambling Addiction Triggering Factors 

It’s not entirely clear what exactly causes people to gamble uncontrollably. The general consensus is that gambling addiction may be the result of a genetic predisposition, biological factors, and environment. 

These are the most common triggers for gambling addiction, as listed by recoverylighthouse.com:

• Family History of Addiction. The chances of developing a gambling addiction are high for somebody who has family members suffering from compulsive gambling.
• Early Exposure. Growing up in an environment where compulsive gambling is seen as normal can significantly increase the risk of developing a gambling addiction.
• Mental Health Issues. Suffering from depression, anxiety, or other mental disorders can lead to gambling addiction. In these situations, excessive gambling is used as a way to cope and relieve negative feelings.
• Traumatic Events. Going through a difficult time, such as dealing with the death of a loved one, could be a trigger for gambling addiction. Just as people with mental illnesses, people suffering from trauma use compulsive gambling as a coping mechanism.
• Financial Problems. People dealing with financial worries are more likely to start gambling, hoping it will end their money problems. This could lead to addiction.

Harmful Effects Of Gambling

Excessive gambling can significantly affect:

• Finances. Gambling addiction can take a toll on somebody’s finances, as it requires large amounts of money in order to sustain it. This can lead to bankruptcy, loss of valuable assets (house, car, precious items, etc).
• Mental Health. Just like with everything else that’s done excessively, compulsive gambling will seriously harm one’s mental health. Depression, anxiety, and stress are just a few of the issues a gambling addict may deal with.
• Relationships. Someone with a gambling addiction will most likely have a poor relationship with family, friends, and significant others.

According to “Families Living with Problem Gambling: Impacts, Coping Strategies, and HelpSeeking”, a study conducted by Dr. James Banks et al., this is the range of relationships to the problem gambler:

• 62.9% intimate partner;
• 20.7% parent;
• 6.1% son or daughter;
• 5.6% sibling;
• 4.7% other family members or friends.

Steps Towards Treating A Gambling Disorder 

No matter how bad your gambling addiction is, there are always ways to get better and have a happy and healthy life.

According to moneytalksnews.com, these are the 5 steps towards recovery:

• Admit you have a problem. This is the most important step on the way to recovery: admitting you have a gambling addiction. As long as you can’t acknowledge your addiction, you won’t be able to get better.
• Get support. Recovering from gambling addiction is a long process, so better surround yourself with family and friends that support you.
• Avoid temptation. Try to stay away from anything gambling-related, as it will make the recovery process very difficult. Ask a trusted person to be in charge of your finances, this way you won’t be able to sustain your addiction, as gambling requires large amounts of money.
• Replace gambling with something positive. Focus on a new hobby or interest to keep you busy.
• Seek professional help. Such as psychotherapy, counseling, or cognitive-behavioral therapy. In some situations. medication is also prescribed in order to reduce the urge to gamble. 

Additionally, you can also join Gamblers Anonymous to meet people that are dealing with the same problem as you.

Are you affected by someone else’s gambling addiction?

Gambling addiction doesn’t only affect the person suffering from the addiction, it also affects the people around them, especially the ones closest to them, such as their partner, family, and friends.

This is how excessive gambling affects partners and family members of people struggling with gambling addiction:

• They struggle financially. Money set aside for bills, savings, or joint assets is often spent on gambling.
• They could face legal problems. Due to incurred debts on joint accounts.
• They are constantly under stress. They fear that their partner/family members or themselves will go to jail for fraud.
• They lost trust in their partner/family member. They cannot trust or rely on their partner/family member anymore due to excessive lying and secretive behavior.
• They are angry with their partner/family member. They are resenting their partner/family member for all the issues the gambling addiction has caused.
• They fear the relationship might end. They start thinking about leaving/divorcing their partner or cutting ties with their family member.
• They have poor mental health. They start feeling depressed, anxious, their self-esteem is falling, and start blaming themselves.
• They experience physical pain. Due to depression, they have low energy, headaches, decreasing vision, stomach pain, excessive hunger/lack of appetite, etc.
• They hide away. They isolate themselves from family and friends due to shame and depression, and they try to cope with the situation alone.

How to deal with a loved one’s gambling addiction 

After consulting “Problem Gambling. A Guide For Friends and Family” by Dr. John O’Connor, we have compiled a list of 7 actions you can take to deal with a loved one’s gambling addiction:

• Stop blaming yourself. You are not responsible for someone else’s actions. Keep in mind that thousands of people struggle with excessive gambling, as it is a very common addiction. It can happen to anyone.
• Establish new rules and boundaries. Stop tolerating your partner/family member’s gambling-related behavior. It’s time to stand up for yourself. It may be difficult to confront them, so ask friends and family for support.

You could organize an intervention to approach your partner/family member about their gambling problem. Ultimately, you could also go to a therapist for advice.

• Get help and support. You deserve to get help too. Just because you’re not the one suffering from the addiction, it doesn’t mean you are not affected by it. Get professional help by making an appointment to see a counselor/therapist. Prioritize yourself and your mental health!
• Manage your debts. If any debts have occurred in your name due to your partner/family member’s gambling, find a financial counselor or a legal advisor for guidance on what to do to solve the problem.
• Legally protect your share of joint assets. Take action to legally protect any assets you share with your partner such as your house, car, etc.
• Keep your finances separate. You could cancel joint credit cards and get a separate bank account.

Stigma And Self-Stigma Influence On Compulsive Gamblers

As stated by medicalnewstoday.com, stigma refers to “a negative and often unfair social attitude attached to a person or group, often placing shame on them for a perceived deficiency or difference to their existence.”

According to heretohelp.bc.ca, there are 3 types of stigma identified by researchers:

• Public Stigma. It’s the negative or discriminatory attitude of others towards people suffering from a mental condition, such as pathological gambling.
• Self-Stigma. It refers to the negative attitude and internalized shame that people struggling with a mental disorder, such as compulsive gambling, have about their own condition.
• Institutional Stigma. This type of stigma involves the policies of the government and private organizations that intentionally/unintentionally limit opportunities for people struggling with mental conditions, such as gambling addiction (classified as an impulse-control disorder).

Harmful Effects of Gambling Addiction Stigma 

It’s important to note that gambling addiction stigma is real and many people struggle with the damaging effects of being misunderstood and rejected by society solely because of their condition.

These are the most common effects of stigma towards people with a gambling addiction:

• Low self-esteem. People struggling with gambling addiction often have low-self esteem issues due to the stigma surrounding their condition. They feel ashamed, guilty, and embarrassed, which will most likely prevent them from seeking help.
• Hopelessness. They feel like they will never get better due to how society perceives them. Often, gambling addiction is regarded simply as rogue behavior by people who are ignorant of how gambling addiction actually works.
• Increased risk of depression. People dealing with compulsive gambling are prone to depression and other mental health issues due to feeling alone, abandoned, or misunderstood.
• Difficulty maintaining relationships. Due to the public stigma is hard for people suffering from gambling addiction to start and maintain social relationships, as society tries to avoid people dealing with this type of addiction.
• Increased chance of unemployment. Most of the time, employers avoid hiring people struggling with gambling addiction, due to how they are perceived (unreliable, untrustworthy, etc.)
• Bullying or harassment. Often, people dealing with a gambling addiction are verbally and physically harmed.

Final Thoughts

Gambling addiction is a real issue and shouldn’t be taken lightly. It affects thousands of people every day and it deserves more attention. Fortunately, there are countless ways to recover from it and live a happy and healthy life.

Don’t hesitate to seek help if you or someone you know struggles with this type of addiction. Put our guide to good use and start your recovery journey now.