Gambling addiction is on the rise – what does that mean for your mental health?

Only gamble what you can afford to lose. This advice, propagated by casinos or similar organizations, seems logical on the surface. The point of gambling is to have fun in moderation, considering it as a leisure expense similar to a restaurant or drinks at a bar. 

The problem is that gambling isn’t like other entertainment activities. There are many factors at play, but one key issue is the chemical dopamine, which is an important part of our body’s natural functions. 

However, dopamine is known as the “feel good” chemical, which gambling is able to hijack. As James Sauer, PhD, a senior lecturer at the University of Tasmania in Australia describes it, the process is that we “feel sure that the reward is coming, but can’t know when, so keep repeating the behavior.” What’s more, this behavior continues “even as rewards become less and less frequent and even stop entirely.”

This search for reward that goes beyond logic makes us susceptible to problems. And this is something that is on the rise. 

The rise of sports betting

Betting and gambling has always been a part of our society. If you think of the Wild West, the first stereotypes that come to mind are cowboys, saloons, and poker. But the internet, particularly mobile apps, have made it easier than ever before to bet. 

A recent report found that there has been a surge in the number of online searches for gambling addiction. According to the report, the cause of the new rise in addictions is due to the “2018 Supreme Court ruling that broke up Nevada's monopoly on the practice and cleared the way for state-sponsored sports gambling.”

The result has been a normalization of betting, particularly around both professional and collegiate sports, which inevitably brings consequences. 

The dark side of gambling

One story that recently came out was that of a young man who took his own life. While the reason for his death by suicide can’t be definitively attributed to gambling, it appears that his decision to place a $10,000 bet, which he lost, influenced his mindset. 

It all began innocently, as the victim’s friend says, “It was the new legal thing to do, everyone was talking about it. There were advertisements everywhere.” But what began as a way to bring more excitement to sports games ended in tragedy. 

Mental health and gambling

The above story – and many like it to a greater or lesser degree of tragedy – plays out every day across the United States, particularly among men.

Why is this? 

It’s impossible to point to one definitive answer for complex topics like this. But it is undoubtedly tied to mental health. In fact, the Mayo Clinic found that people with compulsive gambling disorders “often have substance misuse problems, personality disorders, depression or anxiety.”

We’ve spoken before about the difficulties of balancing mental health and strong financial management. Often, mental health issues, even if they aren’t the root cause of gambling, can greatly exacerbate the problem. 

This is particularly dangerous if you are already feeling depressed, anxious, or suicidal and compound this issue with an unsuccessful bet. It is so important to recognize when you are suffering from an acute mental health crisis and to not engage in gambling during these periods. 

Do I have an issue with gambling?

As with any addiction, the hardest part is often recognizing that you have a problem. The line between having fun with friends and having a problem is so blurry that it can be impossible to see. 

Generally, recognizing that you have a problem involves serious self-reflection. As a quick litmus test, this list of common signs from psychology.org can help you decide if you could use some support.

• You frequently think about gambling, whether reliving past moments or planning future gambling sessions. 

• You increasingly need to gamble with more money to have the same level of excitement.

• You have tried to cut back on how much you gamble but have failed. 

• During these periods of trying to cut back you feel restless or irritable. 

• You turn to gambling when you feel negative or stressed.

• You want to continue gambling after having lost, otherwise known as chasing your losses. 

• You gamble when you feel stressed and not in a social or fun environment.

• You lie to people to hide how much you gamble.

• It’s affected your personal life and relationships or influenced a professional opportunity negatively. 

• Relying on others to help with money problems caused by gambling.
  

Getting help with your gambling addiction

If you have a gambling addiction and need help, there are many resources available in Illinois alone. 

The Illinois Department of Human Services has a number of information and events surrounding gambling addiction. There are also anonymous helplines you can call to receive support if you don’t feel like revealing your identity.

If you want more involved support, you can of course find treatment centers and small groups to help you confront your addiction in a welcoming and professional environment. The NCAA has partnered with the National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-Gambler), a site that provides a self-assessment and resources in various states.

Of course, at MHAI we are always here to help you directly. If you are feeling lost and don’t know where to turn, just reach out to us. We will take the time to talk with you and connect you to resources.