Who is the most likely to be prone to a gambling addiction?
Extreme gambling has been classified as an illness a disorder by World Health Organization.
A majority of people are happy to place bets on occasion even if they may lose cash. Some gamblers are considered to be problem gamblers which causes disruption to or ruins their lives as well as the lives of their families.
In 2016 the Gambling Commission estimated there were around 340,000 problematic gambling addicts across the UK, with many more people at risk…
Their report suggested that gamblers who were having problems included:
5 times as likely identify as males than women
Most likely out of work as compared to those who are employed, studying, or retired
You are likely between 25-34 (if male)
Most likely to come of a black or another minority than background of white, or an Asian background (on an annual basis of three years)
More likely to show signs of mental health ill-health
More likely to signify signs of a low well-being
From March, UK gamblers collectively lost an estimated PS14.4bn.
The signs that someone might be suffering from an issue are anxiety or stress over the gambling addiction, bet more than they’re able to lose, and playing ever greater amounts of money to experience a similar “high” as before.
The number of hospitalizations across England has nearly doubled over the past five years to record levels. This is a concern for those whose addiction to gambling habits could cause them to commit crimes and even cases of psychosis.
The plans are in place to establish 14 additional treatment centers for problem gambling by 2023-24.
What is the reason why some people experience an issue?
Gambling, in conjunction with the use of other substances such as alcohol and drugs, and other activities such as shopping, can turn addictive when it is a habitual one and gets beyond control.
The causes of addictions are two different reward pathways in the brain which influence our behavior – desire and liking.
Liking is the term used to describe the joy of eating chocolate biscuits. We want to get one when we spot a packet of chocolate biscuits at the grocery store.
The desire to do something is what drives us. it causes us to want things, and we do them often.
Addiction, in essence, could be seen as simply the rewiring of reward systems.
If someone is addicted to gambling or drugs, the desire and liking systems are separated. The desire remains constant however, the feeling of being satisfied with what we receive is diminished.
The addict must participate in more behavior or use of the drug to experience the same satisfaction.
Certain circumstances put certain people at a higher risk of developing an addiction. It could be having relatives who suffer from addictions or being exposed to high-level stress or adverse circumstances or experiences that are related to how we are raised.
Nature may also play an important role. A study that used brain scans indicates that people who gamble regularly be less impulsive than the average population.