Gambling Addiction – Can A Gambler Ever Stop?
For many, gambling activities are a fun and exciting pastime done in moderation. This means not getting sucked into bottomless pits in which they spend more than they have, not allowing the thrill to interfere with daily responsibilities, and never letting the urge to gamble lead to destructive patterns. Yet for some, a casual bet spirals into a full-blown gambling addiction.
Deciding to partake can itself be a bit of a gamble. An estimated one to two percent of the global adult population becomes problem gamblers or pathological gamblers. In the United States alone, four to six million adults are estimated to be problem gamblers. Furthermore, a million or so suffer from full-on gambling addiction.
Can A Gambler Ever Stop? Gambling Addiction
Gambling addiction is a behavioral disorder. A common question arises: Can anyone ever stop gambling once they’ve developed a gambling addiction? Is this a case of “once a gambler, always a gambler?”
The belief that “99 percent of gamblers quit before winning” is a recurring myth on social media, but in reality, gambling outcomes are far more complex and unpredictable.
How Do You Become a Gambling Addict?
Several factors can contribute to the development of gambling addiction, including:
- Financial desperation or a need for quick money
- Desire to experience thrills/adrenaline and highs
- Longing for the social status that comes with being a successful gambler
- Enjoyment of the stimulating atmosphere found in casinos and through sports betting
When gambling addiction takes hold, losses start to mount. Many individuals who were casual gamblers often find themselves turning into problem gamblers as they struggle to recover their losses.
To recoup, some engage in chasing losses, which only deepens their financial troubles. As debt grows, the cycle pushes the individual further into addiction and potentially additional debt. This destructive loop makes gambling relapse a constant risk for those struggling to abstain.
Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of a Gambling Addiction
Since the 1980s, gambling addiction (sometimes called compulsive gambling) has been considered a chronic medical condition. It is much like asthma or diabetes: rooted in genetics, environment, and exposure. It is a disorder that hijacks motivation and the reward system.
Gambling disorder is officially recognized by the American Psychiatric Association and is characterized by:
- Betting larger amounts of money to satisfy the urge to gamble;
- Irritability or anxiety when trying to stop gambling;
- Failed attempts to reduce gambling activities;
- Persistent thoughts about gambling;
- Using gambling to escape uncomfortable feelings such as guilt or anxiety;
- Chasing losses to win back lost money;
- Lying to hide the extent of gambling addiction;
- Suffering negative consequences at work, home, or in relationships;
- The negative impact on family members is often severe, with finances and trust at risk.
Many return to gamble despite repeated negative outcomes, and the cycle can be hard to break. For these individuals, even after a period of stopping, the pull of gambling relapse can be strong, requiring continuous vigilance.
Understanding Barriers to Quitting Gambling
Overcoming a gambling addiction is daunting due to several reasons:
- Psychological factors: Strong cravings and withdrawal symptoms make relapse common.
- Social influences: Friends, peers, or community involvement may reinforce the addiction.
- Financial pressures: Debt can drive the urge to keep gambling in hopes of recovering losses.
- Denial and stigma: Many feel shame, making them less likely to seek treatment or professional help.
How to Stop Gambling Addiction
While some gambling addicts reach remission, the odds aren’t all that great.
Studies have investigated what percentage of gambling addicts reach remission, meaning they stop gambling and move on with their lives. This usually involves addicts who actively want to stop and know that compulsive gambling is ruining their lives.
For many, the constant urge to gamble and intense cravings make relapse prevention critical to any recovery plan. Many also struggle with persistent thoughts of chasing losses, which can trigger a gambling relapse even after periods of remission.
Gambling Addiction Treatment Options
Overcoming gambling addiction, an impulse control disorder, will take hard work, often in the form of cognitive-behavioral therapy or Gamblers’ Anonymous support groups. Treatment providers frequently encounter individuals coping not just with gambling issues, but also with co-occurring conditions like substance use disorder.
Research has shown that antidepressant therapy has also been found to be quite promising in helping gambling addicts stay in remission. Around 20 percent of gambling addicts work to recover on their own without the help of family members or an addiction specialist, and that can sometimes be successful. Accessing credit cards and easy sources of funding for gambling can undermine treatment, so many experts recommend practical financial restrictions as part of a relapse prevention plan.
However, when intervention is needed for you or your family and friends suffering from a gambling problem, Blue Sky Gambling Addiction Treatment in Omaha can help!
Slot Machine Addiction
Slot machine addiction is one of the most common forms of gambling addiction. The allure of flashing lights and the chance of a big win can lead to a vicious cycle of chasing losses. Slot machine players often experience repeated episodes of gambling relapse due to the rapid pace and accessibility of these games.
However, there is hope. Seeking slot machine addiction help, such as counseling and group therapy with mental health professionals, can provide the necessary tools to break free from the grips of this addiction and help individuals regain control over their gambling activities.
Effective Treatments for Gambling Addiction: What Works?
If you’re wondering, can gambling addiction be cured? The answer is complex. Although gambling addiction may not have a “cure” in the traditional sense, several effective treatments for gambling can help individuals manage their addiction and reduce the risk of gambling relapse:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This therapy helps individuals recognize and change harmful gambling habits by addressing the thoughts and behaviors that drive their addiction, including the urge to gamble.
- Group Therapy: Support groups such as Gamblers Anonymous offer a safe environment for individuals to share experiences and recovery strategies to deal with gambling activities and urges.
- Medication: Some people benefit from antidepressants or other medications that address the underlying mental health issues that fuel the addiction and help manage symptoms seen in both gambling disorder and substance use disorder.
Gambling Addiction Help in Omaha
Since addiction is, at its heart, a powerful brain disease that forever alters how a person processes reward, motivation, and even memory, it’s safe to say that there’s no cure. Rather, an addict can reach remission, in which the disease is dormant. In many cases, support fromfamily members, dedication to relapse prevention, and active attendance at support groups are pivotal for continued progress.
Even if someone with a gambling addiction has stopped gambling, they are still at risk for relapse. That’s why participants in 12-step programs continue to identify themselves as addicts, even after many years of abstinence, because the possibility of returning to gambling can remain a lifelong challenge. Relapse can happen at any point, which is why ongoing self-awareness and support are so important in recovery.
Long Term Remission
The chances of achieving long-term remission are slim, with studies showing that only about 10 percent of gambling addicts remain free from their addiction long-term. Keep in mind that that’s for gamblers who want to stop.
The other 90 percent will relapse and start gambling again, sooner or later, regardless of what treatment centers they went to, or treatment programs they participated in. This relapse rate is a bit higher than it is in most substance addictions, demonstrating the unique challenge of relapse prevention in the context of gambling addiction.
Still, one in 10 makes it “out” and quits gambling forever, enjoying a full life on the other side of addiction. Most gamblers would probably take those odds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of gamblers quit before winning?
There is no scientific evidence that 90% or 99 percent of gamblers quit before a big win. This is a meme myth created on social media and is not supported by any research or statistical analysis.
What percentage of the population has a gambling addiction?
Between 1% and 6% of adults in the U.S. are affected by gambling addiction or are at risk for it. This translates to 2–6 million Americans suffering from severe to moderate gambling problems.
Are gambling addicts at risk of relapsing?
Yes. Due to the chronic nature of compulsive gambling and the triggers prevalent in daily life, relapse is common among gambling addicts. Continued involvement with support groups, therapy, and relapse prevention plans reduces this risk, though gambling relapse may still occur.
Who is most at risk of developing gambling addiction?
Anyone can develop a gambling addiction, but men, young adults, those suffering from mental illness, and individuals with substance use disorder are at higher risk.
What should I do if a family member has a gambling problem?
Encourage them to seek professional help (counselors, support groups, mental health professionals) and provide emotional support. Avoid enabling their behavior financially.
Can gambling addiction occur with other mental health issues?
Yes, gambling addiction often co-occurs with depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder, which can make treatment more complex.
If you or someone you know is dealing with a gambling addiction, reach out to a professional or support helpline for help. Recovery is possible with the right strategies and ongoing support. For those in recovery, staying aware of the risk of gambling relapse is crucial to long-term success.
Are you in need of gambling addiction counseling in Omaha?
Contact Blue Sky Counseling Omaha, or the National Problem Gambling Helpline (National Council on Problem Gambling).
Blue Sky Counseling Omaha – Addiction Counseling Omaha
I, Carly Spring, M.S., LIMHP, LADC, CPC, offer my specialized expertise to assist in the healing process to anyone who may be experiencing and suffering from a vast spectrum of mental health issues such as behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, grief, loss, trauma, addiction issues, and life transitions. I believe strongly in applying a holistic perspective addressing your whole person not just the bits and pieces of you. Contact us with any questions or to explore pathological gambling addiction treatment options today. Blue Sky Counseling also offers alcohol counseling in Omaha.
