Why Do People Gamble?

According to a 2CV study ordered by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), the primary reason people gamble is the reward. The allure of hitting a big win that will transform their lives inspires many gamblers to spin the reels of a jackpot slot or purchase a lottery ticket. It's intoxicating to think that life-changing money is just one game away.

However, that's not the only reason. Gambling is also a form of entertainment and a popular hobby similar to chess or board games but with the added excitement of money prizes. It can also be a social event, with people chatting to their fellow players and bonding over a shared interest.

Some players also use gambling as a form of escapism. In such cases, they retreat into the casino games and use them to take their mind off their problems.

What Is Problem Gambling?

Problem gambling is defined as gambling that negatively affects a person's life in any way. It can disrupt relationships, hurt someone's physical and mental health, or lead to poor work performance.

While there are some universal signs, gambling psychology is determined on a case-by-case basis. For example, certain people are able to gamble frequently and lose large sums of money without it impacting any aspect of their lives. On the flip side, others can play infrequently and for small stakes and immediately suffer a decline in mental health or have issues at work. The psychological effects of gambling are not uniform; lifestyle and genetic predispositions play a role in determining a person's likelihood of becoming addicted.

Therefore, players who continue to gamble despite the issues it's causing them tend to be considered problem gamblers. There is often a disconnect between reality and how they view their behavior. Due to their psychology of gambling, they're either unable to stop or have no desire to.

Why Do Problem Gamblers Keep Gambling?

Just like other addictive behaviors, gambling causes the brain to release dopamine. The neural connectivity in problem gamblers' brains changes, and they become addicted to this dopamine surge. Gradually, they build up a tolerance and require increased levels of gambling to match the initial buzz. At the same time, other activities can't create sufficient pleasure in comparison to hitting 21 at blackjack tables or winning a slot jackpot.

As a result, problem gamblers become addicted to gambling and are unable to stop, the same way an alcoholic can't stop drinking. Due to alterations in their brains, they become so focused on chasing dopamine that they neglect other aspects of their lives. In fact, they often can't stop themselves even if they're destroying their finances, relationships, and careers.

What Does Gambling Do to Your Brain?

Gambling can cause your brain to release up to 10 times more dopamine than usual, just like cocaine and other addictive drugs. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that, when released, gives you feelings of pleasure, happiness, satisfaction, and motivation.

When you continually gamble and receive large dopamine hits, the receptors in your brain decrease. Your brain then struggles to produce dopamine for non-habitual or new activities, and higher levels of gambling and risk-taking are required to release it.

Scientific studies have shown that blackjack, slot, and roulette addiction causes physical changes to the brain. A 2005 German study revealed that problem gamblers had abnormally low electrical activity in a part of the brain associated with a person's reward system. By the same token, a 2003 study from Yale found that they had limited amounts of electrical activity in the prefrontal brain area, which governs risk-taking.

Previously, scientists only thought that physically addictive substances like heroin could alter the brain. However, it's now recognized that virtually everything, including gambling, can transform the brain. Compulsive gamblers suffer from withdrawals, as well. Many have genetic predispositions for impulsivity and reward-seeking, which makes them more likely to take emotional gambles.

Best Treatments for Gambling Addiction

The best way to alter problem gambling psychology and treat gambling addiction is through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Through CBT, people with an addiction learn to identify signs of problem gambling and alter incorrect beliefs they have about it, such as the odds of winning and how much time it is reasonable to spend on playing. They also develop social and problem-solving skills that can help them avoid using gambling as a crutch or ending up in situations where they feel compelled to gamble.

Finally, they can learn specific strategies to prevent relapsing, such as calling a sponsor when they feel the urge to play or distracting themselves by engaging in a healthy hobby. CBT is all about practical solutions that help those with an addiction take control of their lives and avoid self-destructive behaviors.

Apart from therapy, certain drugs have also proven to be effective at treating gambling addiction and altering the psychology of gambling. For instance, opioid antagonists like naltrexone that decrease the brain's ability to produce dopamine can reduce the urge to gamble.

Conclusion

The psychology of gambling is fuelled by a desire to win large sums of money. Those with genetic predispositions for impulsivity and reward-seeking who are inclined to dull their dopamine receptors through overexposure to gambling are at risk of becoming addicted. Problem gamblers are often unable to stop — as a result, they continue playing despite wreaking havoc on all areas of their lives.

Cognitive behavioral therapy and drugs like naltrexone are the most effective ways to cure this addiction. So, if gambling is negatively impacting your life, you should stop playing and seek professional help immediately.

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