An addiction is an addiction, so they say. But is that true? Not always. Sure, the brain chemicals involved in addiction to gambling and other addictions are the same. Like the reward and overwhelming comfort, someone feels when dopamine is released in high quantities. This spike in dopamine is connected to the "thing" or the “action” to which you are addicted.
Another commonality among addicts may be the factors that predispose them to addiction, like mental health, heredity, and living environment. Further, many addicts cycle through addiction stages like first use, chronic use, tolerance, and dependence.
Upon closer investigation, it is when looking at the stages of addiction that variances start to appear. The behaviors of the addict become more specific to the drug or substance or action of choice.
These details create the different stages of addiction for the 10 million Americans with a gambling addiction, more than 18 million sex addicts, over 30 million with drug use problems, and so on.
Before learning more about the stages of gambling addiction, it is essential to understand its definition.
Gambling Addiction Defined
The latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders gives gambling addiction an official name of “Gambling Disorder." You may hear others call it pathological gambling, compulsive gambling, problem gambling, and gambling addiction in more general terms.
It is defined as an impulse-control problem. To obtain a diagnosis, a gambling addiction specialist will assess signs and symptoms. For example, they will examine your age when you first gambled, how much time you spend thinking about gambling or engaging in gambling activities, how much money you spend, lose and win while gambling, and how you finance your gambling habits.
They will also assess the level of the urges you have to participate in gambling activities.
Gambling Activities
When most people think of gambling, they think of going to the casino and sitting in front of a slot machine for hours. However, there are many forms of gambling today. Casino games can include card games, dice games, and spinning wheels.
Many choose to bet on sporting events outside of the casino, which can include spread betting, money lines, parlays, futures, and online wagering.
The lottery is a popular method of gambling. It’s inexpensive and can be accessed at your local convenience store. Unfortunately, addicts find it hard to stop purchasing the scratch-off cards in major lottos.
Even Bingo is a form of gambling. Because Bingo is usually held for charitable purposes, addicts find it easier to justify their behavior.
Most people start gambling just for the fun; this is the first stage of gambling addiction.
Stage 1 of Gambling Addiction: Winning
In stage one, you are enjoying gambling. You have likely won a few times and have felt the euphoria that comes from winning. Remember, when you win, the dopamine chemicals in your brain are being released at a much higher rate than average.
You want this feeling of reward to continue, so you keep gambling, expecting to keep winning. Only, you do not keep winning and then enter the second stage of gambling addiction.
Stage 2 of a Gambling Addiction: Losing
In stage two, you experience gambling losses. However, you find it incredibly difficult to stop gambling. Even when you have run out of money, you find other ways to continue your developing habit. You may borrow money from friends and family, who are likely telling you they think you have a problem.
Rather than listening to their concerns, you find ways to cover up your gambling behaviors, and your relationships take a back seat to your quickly forming addiction.
Stage 3 of a Gambling Addiction: Desperation
In stage three of gambling addiction, you are struggling in all areas of your life. Despite this, you still feel the way out of your problems is to hit the jackpot and win big. You are so consumed with continuing your gambling addiction that you fail to realize your physical and mental health are suffering.
You may feel depressed, anxious, irritable, and may have thoughts of suicide as a solution to your problems. Because your relationships have deteriorated, you feel alone and, over time, hopeless.
Stage 4 of a Gambling Addiction: Hopelessness
When you feel hopeless, you feel like you have lost everything and have nothing else to lose. This can be a dangerous stage of gambling addiction.
The consequences of your addiction have gotten worse. You may have lost your job, your home, and the people you love. You may be facing legal consequences and facing jail time. For many, this is the stage in which they hit rock bottom.
However, rock bottom can be a good thing because it can lead to the fifth stage, recovery.
Stage 5 of a Gambling Addiction: Recovery
Gambling addiction recovery can happen. In this stage, you admit you have a problem and are ready for help.
Seeking help in stage five means seeking help from professional and licensed gambling addiction therapists for an assessment, diagnosis, and treatment plan. Depending on the severity of your gambling addiction, your treatment plan may include outpatient or inpatient counseling.
At the beginning of your treatment, you will need a more intensive program since this is the time you will be trying to overcome withdrawal symptoms, such as extreme urges to gamble. To conquer your gambling addiction, you will need to learn how to rebuild relationships, accept the consequences, and prevent relapse.
Your ultimate goal in stage five is to make positive changes.
While in recovery, you will notice your physical and mental health improve. The more time you spend away from gambling, the more likely you are to sustain recovery, and you do not have to wait until stage four before seeking help.
In conclusion, no matter which stage of a gambling addiction you are in, help is available. Self-help groups, medications, individual, and family therapies can be included in your recovery plan. Together, you and your gambling addiction specialist will find the right solution.