Gambling is an impulse control disorder. Symptoms include frequent urges to play, lack of control over money, and depression. It is similar to other drug and alcohol addictions, but it can be treated. Problem gambling can be cured. You can learn how to stop gambling and get back in control of your finances. The first step to quit gambling is to eliminate your credit cards and make someone else manage your money. If you must use a credit card, make sure that it is only for gambling, or close online betting accounts and keep a small amount of cash with you.
Problem gambling is an impulse-control disorder
Pathological gambling is classified as an impulse-control disorder in the DSM-IV-TR and ICD-10. However, the link between impulsivity and gambling is controversial. Some researchers report high levels of impulsivity in pathological gamblers, while others report no difference between those with the disorder and controls. Still others report that impulsivity is low in gambling disorder patients. Further research is necessary to identify whether pathological gambling is associated with cognitive vulnerability.
Although pathological gambling is an impulse-control disorder, it can have serious consequences for the sufferer’s physical, psychological, and social health. Problem gambling often leads to a large debt and becomes a focus of interest and obsession. While there are few known cures for pathological gambling, there are treatment options. Early intervention is crucial for reducing negative outcomes. Early intervention can help avoid relationship conflicts, financial losses, and problems with work or addiction.
It can be triggered by depression
It’s easy to see how depression can trigger a person to gamble. Gambling can be a coping mechanism for people who are experiencing unresolved emotions, or a numbing escape from the symptoms of other disorders. It provides a feeling of gratification that can quickly diminish, leaving the person in despair and vulnerable to suicide. Thankfully, treatment for both issues is available.
When depression is a trigger, it’s possible to gamble in a way that provides a temporary ‘pick-me-up’. However, this is unlikely to be a cure-all. Although gambling is a great escape, it can also trigger depression. A gambling addiction can lead to thoughts of suicide and depression. If you’re thinking about suicide, call 999 or go to A&E.
It can be similar to substance abuse
The latest studies on the neurobiology of addiction have confirmed that gambling and substance abuse are related. Gambling addiction may involve similar psychological and physiological responses to addictive substances. Both disorders require the same treatment to avoid relapse. Treatment for gambling addiction should target these disorders simultaneously. If one of them is treated before the other, the likelihood of relapse is much higher. However, if both are treated concurrently, they may support each other.
Some people may not experience any physical symptoms of gambling addiction. In contrast, substance abuse disorders are typically accompanied by physical symptoms. These include long periods of lack of sleep, extremely irregular eating habits, and other signs of intoxication. Symptoms may also include general deterioration of appearance, including tics, seizures, and fainting. In more extreme cases, the patient may even become suicidal.
It can be treated
Like any other addiction, gambling can be treated. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, can help people change their thoughts about gambling, thereby lessening their urge to gamble. Other treatments, such as self-help guides and support groups, can help those who suffer from gambling addiction to overcome their problem. If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction, you should talk to your doctor about available options. The right treatment depends on the type of problem you have.
The most common form of treatment for gambling addiction is cognitive behavioural therapy. CBT focuses on changing a person’s fundamental beliefs and behavior. CBT can include training a person to develop new social skills, teaching them relapse prevention techniques, and correcting their own cognitive errors about gambling. Although there is no single treatment for gambling addiction, many people with this disorder benefit from these techniques. There are many resources available online to help people manage their gambling problem.