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How Does Gambling Addiction Develop? |
HOW DO WE BECOME ADDICTED?
The Brain Connection
Current research informs us that all substances and process addictions stimulate the portion of the brain known as the pleasure centre. Normal people may gamble or drink but naturally grow tired of it at some point. This is not because they are necessarily morally superior, but because their ‘enough button’ works well. In some of us, perhaps those of us who have addiction in our family background, it is different. Stimulation of this centre causes the receptors on our neurotransmitters to multiply. When the addictive substance or activity wears off, the newly created receptors begin to scream for stimulation. As the number of receptors multiplies with each use, more and more of the addictive substance is needed to reproduce the same degree of stimulation. Something is very wrong with our ‘enough button’.
This need is experienced as a craving, a compulsion or an overwhelming urge to use a substance or engage in an activity, even though it makes no sense to do so. This craving can manifest as anything from irritability, or a bad mood to violent and aggressive outbursts. A physical sense of discomfort, to severe physical shakes or D. T’s.
Further, scientists have found that when a person finds a substance or activity that it likes, the body begins a process of adaptation. During this process the brain begins to learn to function smoothly under the influence of the drug. The person starts to feel ‘normal’ while under the influence. This means that when the substance or activity is withdrawn, the person experience discomfort….feels ‘abnormal’. It is at this stage that the person is truly addicted.
Emotional Stress
Stress, anxiety, depressions and other negative emotional states may cause a person to increase their gambling behaviour. For these people, gambling serves as an emotional outlet or escape, or as a way of avoiding conflicts.
In some cases, people who are psychologically vulnerable for whatever reason are attracted to gambling as a way to avoid emotional pain. Poor stress management or problem-solving skills contribute to depressed moods and low self-esteem, which causes people to increase gambling behaviour.
Exposure and Learned Behaviour
By having the opportunity to gamble, the excitement generated by winning reinforces the behaviour. Even being exposed to the atmosphere of the casino, tote, or race- meeting, will mean that the person will associate gambling with a happy event or outing. Children who are exposed to gambling environments are more likely to become gamblers when they are older.
With repeated exposure the behaviour strengthens and becomes part of a lifestyle, in which gambling is an integral part. Inevitably, the ugly side is also exposed and there are losses; and attempts made to recover losses. The gambler begins the process of chasing these losses and proceeds down into the vicious cycle of continual gambling to try and recoup losses to try and repay debt. Problems develop rapidly as the gambler tries to hide the reality from his family and friends.
The reason why you have a problem is less important than handling the problem.
Knowing the reason why you have a gambling problem is of academic interest only. The real issue is learning to cope with a problem that has got out of control. In learning to cope with your gambling addiction, you will learn to cope more effectively with life, thus increasing your self-esteem and confidence.
WHEN TO WALK AWAY
The best time to stop is when gamblers first begin to chase their losses. If gamblers would walk away at this point, they would recover. Instead they begin the insanity of repeating the very thing that got them into trouble in the first place.
The definition of insanity is repeating the same thing over and over again expecting a different result! The Kenny Rodger’s song says it best. You’ve got to "know when to walk away"
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