Gambling addiction can have severe repercussions on one’s mental health, especially when repeated losses accumulate and lead to debt and homelessness.
Attribute signs of gambling disorder so you can seek treatment. Common symptoms may include preoccupation with gambling; chasing losses; neglecting responsibilities; etc.
Anxiety and Depression
Gambling addiction often arises from mental health conditions that must be addressed, including depression and anxiety. Breaking free from self-destructive behaviors is difficult for those experiencing these mental health conditions, however.
People experiencing these underlying conditions may use gambling to escape their problems or feel a false sense of accomplishment when they win. Unfortunately, such gamblers usually hide their gambling behaviors from family and friends to avoid disappointing them, leading to feelings of guilt, shame and low self-esteem that lead them back down into gambling habits that they want to stop engaging in.
Gambling’s negative repercussions can have lasting, far-reaching repercussions in multiple areas – financial, physical wellbeing and relationships all being among them. Addressing these issues is essential for long-term recovery from its detrimental effects; distress caused by gambling contributes to stress-related illnesses like high blood pressure and heart disease as well as sleep disorders and binge eating, among others.
Isolation and Loneliness
Gambling often becomes an escape from feelings of loneliness. Casinos or other places offering gambling can offer temporary relief; however, the thrills associated with gambling may cause people to neglect maintaining personal relationships and responsibilities; further increasing isolation during a pandemic like Covid-19.
Stressed-out relationships, financial strain and neglecting other responsibilities may contribute to feelings of isolation among gamblers – this is particularly true of women and men with gambling addictions.
Whoever is experiencing both gambling harms and feelings of loneliness should seek professional assistance. Therapy or counseling sessions may help discover any underlying conditions such as depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions that are contributing to isolation; support groups also offer alternatives ways for connecting with others outside gambling activities.
Financial Hardships
Gambling disorders frequently co-occur with mood disorders like anxiety and depression, exacerbating their effects. This comorbidity increases the severity of gambling-related issues and their negative consequences.
People suffering from gambling disorders are at greater risk of financial strain due to stress-inducing debt accumulation and decreased income from lost sources of revenue. Furthermore, due to stigma associated with gambling disorders they may be reluctant to seek treatment.
Primary care practitioners can assist patients by being more aware of the detrimental impact gambling harms can have on mental health and addiction. By being informed, primary care practitioners will be better able to spot any signs of gambling addiction among their patients as well as collaborate with local authorities for effective signposting, treatment pathways and support of those experiencing gambling-related harms. A recent report by Ipsos MORI provides a framework for action which includes recommendations to enhance measurement of gambling harms on mental health as well as improve how these harms are measured as well.
Loss of Control
Gambling addiction often leaves individuals feeling helpless and out-of-control, often feeling they have no choice in their gambling behavior, even if it involves losing money. Individuals might also begin experiencing changes to their sleeping patterns, mood swings or anxiety due to addiction.
Substance abuse may develop as a consequence of losing control. Gamblers face the highest suicide risk among any demographic group and up to half will consider or attempt suicide (Khayyat-Abuaita et al., 2015; Ledgerwood & Lister, 2015; Pulford et al., 2009).
Although there are no FDA-approved medications for gambling disorder, various forms of psychotherapy can help. Psychotherapies teach individuals healthier methods for dealing with stress and coexisting mental health conditions while providing other healthy outlets for energy release. Individual or combined treatments such as self-help groups or financial counseling may be effective ways to combat gambling disorder.