What to Expect in Problem Gambling Recovery

A person leads a small group discussion.

For many, problem gambling can feel overwhelming and debilitating. The strong and seemingly uncontrollable urge to gamble even when it poses risk is scary, but not impossible to overcome. Recovery takes time, bravery and commitment, but it’s always worthwhile. No matter how challenging things may seem, you have the chance to get your life back on track. All kinds of support are available to people dealing with gambling addiction, and the decision to pursue recovery is a great place to begin. Learn about problem gambling recovery options and what to expect through the healing process.

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution

There are plenty of success stories about different kinds of recovery, and these are a testament to the possibility of positive change. True stories are inspiring and demonstrate that everyone has a unique approach to finding what works for them. A treatment method that worked for one person may not be right for someone else, so it’s important to explore all options to see what feels right for your needs. Here are a few approaches to recovery that can work well.

The expectation of recovery is a straight line, while in reality it's a winding journey.

Confiding in loved ones

Disclosing a gambling problem to a trusted person in your life, like a partner, family member or friend can be a helpful way to start the recovery process. Choosing one or several people to confide in opens the door to a possible support system. For some, this is a great way to be held accountable and have support while seeking treatment.

Choosing to attend a program

In some cases, an inpatient treatment center is the best solution, with a range of support and treatment methods offered. This option also keeps all forms of gambling out of reach by spending time in an intentional, focused space. Community support groups are another popular option for people seeking recovery. These peer-based gatherings are found throughout the country, and often use 12-step methods and consistent discussion for ongoing accountability.

Therapy and medication

Working with a therapist to explore causes, goals, and address ways to overcome challenges can also be an effective way to make progress. The skilled professionals are often able to guide clients through techniques for managing urges and impulses, which perpetuate gambling addiction if left untreated. If you have another condition that affects your gambling behavior, a medical professional may also be able to prescribe appropriate medication. In some situations, this can aid the recovery process by improving problem gambling behaviors.

Setbacks are a common part of the process

Since problem gambling is a type of addiction, quitting the behavior is not necessarily simple, easy or quick. Once the decision to stop has been made, there could still be challenges along the path to recovery. This could mean going to a casino despite efforts to avoid them, or taking part in some type of gambling and losing money.

Making a mistake like this might feel discouraging, but it’s not a reason to lose hope. Setting an intention to regain control of your finances and personal life lays a strong foundation for ongoing improvement, but doesn’t guarantee instant perfection. When setbacks occur, rather than giving up hope, learn from the situation and aim to identify the cause so you can prevent a future setback. And be sure to let one of your close contacts know so they can offer support.

Focus on your motivation

Throughout the challenges on the path to recovery, staying committed to your original reason for pursuing it can be a powerful way to make progress. When tempting thoughts arise, remind yourself that any type of gambling, and any amount of money gambled, will likely cause harm by leading to continued activity. If you know that certain situations contribute to gambling urges, make it a priority to avoid them. If you realize in the moment that something is causing an urge to gamble, remind yourself of your goal and avoid the trigger next time.

Recovery isn’t easy — it will likely take time and continued effort. When preparing for the process, make a plan for how you’ll react to challenges and potential mistakes along the way and continue toward your goal. Remember that everyone’s path is different, but recovery is always possible. With a trusted support network and an eagerness to keep going, problem gambling can become a thing of the past, paving the way for a more stable life.

7 Common Types of Gambling

Neon poker chips and dice

Gambling takes on many forms, and some of them are discreet. Since it often has a gaming, social or entertainment component, it can be easy to develop a habit while overlooking potential risks. Unlike skill-based recreational activities, gambling has a high degree of chance involved and the possibility of financial loss. While controlled gambling doesn’t always lead to serious consequences, it’s important to understand the signs of problems. Learn about seven major types of gambling and potential issues here.

 

1 – Horse Racing

One of the oldest types of sports, horse racing has been a popular form of entertainment and gambling since prehistoric times. But the excitement of going to the racetrack can be more than just a social outing. It can escalate into a habit or even become problem gambling, especially since you have the option to place a bet with a very small amount of money. This makes it an affordable way to gamble on a regular basis.

2 – Lottery Tickets

Buying a lottery ticket is as easy as buying a pack of gum, and this accessibility can be difficult to resist. The thrill of possibly winning money with an instant scratch-off or entering a drawing with a big payout can turn into a purchasing habit and drain money overtime. Since the odds of winning are remarkably slim, even buying a single ticket will typically result in lost money.

Casinos

These spaces are designed for gambling, with a wide range of games including slot machines, roulette and pool. Since many casino games are fun and interactive, with colorful lights and music playing, they’re popular social destinations. Their allure can lead to compulsive problem gambling and other linked issues like anxiety, depression and migraines.

4 – Poker

Poker is a card game played among a group, where the player with the best hand wins a sum of money. It involves mostly luck and some strategy that can be learned, but taking part poses a high likelihood of losing money. People who participate in this type of gambling have a particularly high risk for developing harmful gambling-related tendencies.

Sports Betting

Sports betting is a growing trend, with an increasing number of states choosing to legalize it. While it has a wide range of participation, young men make up the largest portion of the betting population. The rates of problem gambling associated with sports betting are nearly twice as high as those with general gambling.

6 – Bingo

Played in a group setting, bingo is a game completely up to chance. Each player has a card with a grid of numbers on it, and the goal is to win by being the first to complete a row as numbers are called at random. While playing bingo typically has fewer risks than other forms of gambling, it can become detrimental to family dynamics and finances.

7 – Card Games

Aside from poker, there are several other card games played in casinos or among recreational social groups, including blackjack, rummy and Texas hold ‘em. Because of the social nature of card games, this type of gambling can quickly turn into a pattern, creating the possibility of financial losses that add up over time.

Understanding these facts and risks can help you make informed decisions and monitor your approach to gambling. If you need support, confidential help is available.

 

Understanding the Brain’s Reward System

An illustration representing synapses in the brain

The urge people struggling with compulsive gambling feel to keep betting even after countless losses can be attributed to the brain. When this impulse occurs, it surpasses standard thought processes and logic. Instead, the brain’s reward system takes over. The desire to win money makes it extremely difficult to stop gambling, sometimes to the point of going into debt, lying about behavior and asking others for money. Understand how the cycle starts — and how it can stop — here.

How the brain’s reward system operates

Our brains are wired in ways that keep humans functioning and motivated, with a reward system designed to support this using dopamine. In a typical brain, separate pathways for liking and wanting things are activated when something is enjoyed or desired, respectively. With gambling addiction, the wanting pathway is amplified with a strong craving for dopamine, while the liking pathway becomes diminished. A reward that once created a positive feeling is no longer satisfying, whereas the urge to win becomes stronger, sometimes at any cost.

Even if someone struggling with compulsive gambling doesn’t want to keep gambling or knows it may cause more financial harm, these urges created by the brain are similar to those involved with alcohol and drug addiction, and can take over. This is very hard to overcome, making the pattern extremely difficult to break without support.

Causes of neurological disruption

Gambling addiction can be caused by several things, including genetic, biological and environmental elements. For those who have a parent living with problem gambling, there’s a higher risk of developing the disorder. While it can become a compulsive behavior for anyone, younger people are especially susceptible, and it’s also more common among men than women. Several mental health conditions can be linked to problem gambling, along with certain personality traits like impulsivity and workaholism.

Because multiple factors can cause disruption in the brain and amplify compulsive behavior, it’s important to be cautious when gambling. If you have an existing trait that could put you at risk for problem gambling, the best way to prevent an addiction may be avoiding gambling altogether, if possible. Even if you’re unaware of any factors that increase the likelihood, keep in mind that problem gambling can happen to anyone and pay close attention to your own behavior.

Dopamine is not released when expecting a loss. Dopamine floods the brain when expecting a win.
Source: nrmscience.org

Why addiction escalates

Continuing to play past a predetermined money limit is just one sign of problem gambling. Other harmful behaviors can coincide. Some people are overcome with their need to gamble and skip responsibilities like school, work and relationships. They may even start gambling with greater amounts of money and become focused on their next opportunity to play. In dire circumstances, people can end up bankrupt.

When the brain gets used to recurring dopamine and reward system activation in the brain, it starts to need more stimulus to get the same level of satisfaction. With gambling disorder, this can mean gambling more frequently and with more money. The anticipation of winning causes dopamine to be released. Eventually, even losing money will also cause the same dopamine response in the brain as winning, perpetuating the gambling pattern.

Breaking the cycle

Breaking the problem gambling cycle can be a challenge, since the brain is accustomed to the compulsive activation of its reward system. Among people who experience problem gambling, the part of the brain that’s able to stop rash decisions isn’t always as strong as it is for others.

Problem gambling recovery is challenging but possible, especially with access to a support system. To successfully put a stop to gambling, it’s important to avoid all types. Setting an intention to get better and following through by seeking outside help are great ways to get started. There are many options when it comes to recovery, and finding the right one can help you adjust behavioral patterns and pathways in the brain. With proper guidance, available to Minnesotans for free, people dealing with problem gambling can make a full recovery and lead heathy, financially stable lives.