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Compulsive Gambling

(Gambling Addiction; Pathological Gambling)

Definition

Compulsive gambling is an impulse control disorder that is characterized by an overwhelming urge to gamble. In compulsive gambling, your life becomes dominated by gambling. This can lead to problems with finances, career, and relationships. Compulsive gambling can be treated. Talk with your doctor if you think you have a problem.

Causes

It is not clear what causes compulsive gambling. But there is some evidence that there may be a genetic component.

Research has also show that people who have a gambling addiction experience changes in their brain. These brain changes are like those that occur in people who are addicted to drugs.

Frontal Lobe

Impulse control is believed to exist in this part of the brain.

Risk Factors

Factors that may increase the risk of compulsive gambling include:

Gender: male
Family history of gambling problems
Mood disorders
Personality disorders
Drug abuse or gambling at a young age
Certain traits, such as having a competitive character, being restless, and getting bored easily

Symptoms

Symptoms of compulsive gambling may include:

Gambling longer than you intended to
Feeling guilty after gambling
Not being able to sleep due to thoughts about gambling
Having financial problems due to gambling, such as:
- Spending all of your money on gambling
- Needing to borrow money for gambling
- Trying to earn money through gambling to pay your bills
- Being involved in illegal activities (eg, stealing) to get money for gambling
Trying to quit gambling but not being able to
Feeling depressed or suicidal due to gambling

Diagnosis

Your doctor may refer you to mental health therapist. The therapist will ask about your:

Medical history
Mental health history
Symptoms

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include:

Therapy

Counseling for compulsive gambling may include cognitive-behavioral therapy . This type of therapy can help you learn to correct the the negative thoughts and beliefs that lead you to gamble, find healthier responses to stress, develop social skills, and prevent relapse. Therapy can also help uncover what lead you to compulsively gamble.

Medications

There is some evidence that people who compulsively gamble may benefit from medicines, such as:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Mood stabilizers
Opioid antagonists
Bupropion (an antidepressant)

Prevention

There is no known way to prevent compulsive gambling. But if you have a problem with impulse control, avoiding situations where there is gambling may prevent you from developing a problem.

RESOURCES

Mental Health America http://www.nmha.org/

National Council on Problem Gambling http://www.ncpgambling.org/

CANADIAN RESOURCES

Canadian Mental Health Association http://www.cmha.ca/

Problem Gambling http://www.problemgambling.ca/

References

10 questions about gambling behavior. National Council on Problem Gambling website. Available at: http://www.ncpgambling.org/i4a/pages/Index.cfm?pageID=3439 . Accessed August 27, 2012.

Black DW, Monahan PO, Temkit M, et al. A family study of pathological gambling. Psychiatry Res . 2006;141:295-303.

Dannon PN, Lowengrub K, Gonopolski Y, Musin E, Kotler M. Pathological gambling: a review of phenomenological models and treatment modalities for an underrecognized psychiatric disorder. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry . 2006;8:334-339.

Kalechstein AD, et al. Pathological gamblers demonstrate frontal lobe impairment consistent with that of methamphetamine dependent individuals. J Neuropsych Clin Neurosci. 2007;19:298-303.

Signs of problem gambling. Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling website. Available at: http://www.masscompulsivegambling.org/paths/what%5Fsigns.php . Accessed August 27, 2012.

Revision Information

Reviewer: Brian Randall, MD
Review Date: 03/2013 -
Update Date: 00/31/2013 -

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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