Identifying and addressing gambling issues starts with paying attention to problematic habits.
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When an individual seeking help for gambling addiction sits down with counselor Dr. Jim Whelan, he starts the conversation in the same way: by listening.
He listens to the heart-wrenching stories of compulsive gamblers, their failed attempts at self-control, the thrill of their victories, the agonizing defeats.
Dr. Jim Whelan, Tennessee Institute for Gambling Education and Research
He listens, he understands, he helps.
"Our first goal is to partner with the patient and delve deeply into their gambling behavior to grasp their unique situation," Whelan, the executive director of the Tennessee Institute for Gambling Education and Research (part of the University of Memphis), explains in an interview with our website. "Everyone's different, everyone's story's different."
March marked the awareness month for Gambling Problems. Established by the National Council on Problem Gambling in 2003, the month highlights the staggering figure of approximately 2.5 million American adults grappling with severe gambling disorders, with an additional 5 to 8 million people struggling with mild to moderate gambling problems due to their potentially destructive behaviors.
Michelle Hatfield, Kindbridge Behavioral Health Chief Clinal Office
According to Michelle Hatfield, the Chief Clinical Officer of Kindbridge Behavioral Health, gambling disorders share striking resemblances with alcohol or drug dependencies.
"The similarities between drug and alcohol addictions are evident when we look at gambling's impact on the brain's reward system. The release of dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of pleasure and reinforcement, plays a significant role, often triggering similar cravings and tolerance found in substance abuse addictions," Hatfield says.
However, unlike substance abuse, with well-defined substances, gambling is a behavior or process issue, Hatfield explains. "The cravings, tolerance, and withdrawal systems may feel similar, but gamblers aren't dependent on a specific substance."
Whelan believes that individuals with gambling disorders develop a growing need to gamble and experience increased urges to maintain the perceived "rewards," often leading to significant consequences and self-destructive patterns.
"Individuals with gambling disorders often seem normal on the surface, but the truth is that they are deceiving everyone they care about. The commonality between gambling and drug or alcohol addictions is that both conditions involve a failure to regulate harmful behavior and a tendency to escalate tolerance and experience withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop," Whelan says.
The road to recovery starts when individuals seek help. According to Hatfield, it usually takes several touchpoints before a person is ready to commit to treatment. The treatment process often involves cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help challenge negative thoughts and beliefs surrounding gambling, as well as motivational interviewing to support individuals in their quest to change their behaviors.
"We listen to the individual, understand their motivations, assess their risk of harm, and help them realize the benefits of breaking their dependence on gambling. We help them stay safe, and guide them on their journey to regain control of their lives," Whelan says.
According to Whelan, more than 45 percent of individuals seeking treatment are casino enthusiasts, while approximately 50 percent are sports bettors.
In conclusion, gambling disorders and substance abuse have several similarities, as they both activate the brain's reward system and share common neurobiological pathways and neurotransmitters. This understanding helps explain the similar symptoms presented by both addictions, making treatment a challenging yet achievable goal.
- Science can provide insights into the similarities between gambling disorders and mental health issues like substance abuse, as both stimulate the reward system in the brain and share common neurobiological pathways and neurotransmitters.
- Health-and-wellness professionals specializing in therapies-and-treatments might utilize cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing to help individuals struggling with gambling addictions, similar to the approaches used for mental health and substance abuse recovery.
