Compulsive gambling is defined by the Mayo Clinic as “the uncontrollable urge to keep gambling despite the toll it takes on your life.” A person addicted to gambling will exhibit much of the same behavior as any other addict. He will deny being addicted, hide his gambling, and find ways to gamble even if it is a destructive influence in his life. He might borrow money or even consider illegal behavior to support the addiction. He will obsessively think about gambling, lose sleep over it, and grow restless when attempting to curb the habit. His relationships will probably suffer, along with his financial situation.
Compulsive gamblers recklessly “chase” losses, continuing to risk money as the debt grows and even after it has become problematic. They have trouble accepting the loss and letting it go. The excitement of winning keeps them betting in the same way a drug addict relentlessly attempts to re-create the euphoria of an initial high.
According to Gambler’s Anonymous (GA), compulsive gambling is a progressive illness that can be controlled but not cured. As it is with other addictions, the addicted gambler is likely to feel shameful about her behavior and see herself as weak-willed. She may see her inability to control her gambling as a moral defect. However, GA urges people to understand it as a legitimate sickness that can be treated with proper care.
It is commonly believed that a person addicted to gambling will also have other addictions to substances like alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs. While it is true that people with addictive personalities are prone to develop compulsive behaviors of any kind, there are those who only struggle with gambling.
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) reports that about 2 million (1%) of adults in the United States meet the criteria for pathological gambling, where the compulsion is irresistible and wreaks havoc in all areas of life. Another 4-6 million (2-3%) are not in such dire circumstances but are still considered “problem gamblers,” meaning gambling causes trouble in their lives.
For people who are concerned that they may be struggling with compulsive gambling, the NCPG offers a set of warning signs. For example, if you have ever gambled longer than you planned or until you were completely out of money, you might want to consider getting help. Likewise, if you have ever gambled with money that you needed for bills or as a way to get money that you needed, you most likely have a problem. Finally, if you have ever felt remorseful or depressed about your gambling behavior, you may need professional assistance.
Even people who “binge gamble” on occasion should get help, as it signifies a problem with self-control and may lead to more consistent gambling problems. Just as a recovering alcoholic should avoid alcohol altogether, a recovering gambling addict should never gamble again. Moderate gambling is not a likely scenario for anyone who has struggled in the past, and attempts to be more temperate usually result in a devastating relapse. The compulsive inclination does not go away; the disease cannot be cured.
Anyone seeking help for compulsive gambling can find it in organizations like GA or NCPG.