[theone12221]

Hi guys,

I was recently reading some material regarding how our brains get addicted to gambling, and I came across something which I’ve been thinking about recently. I’m sure most of you have heard about this somewhere (either relating to gambling or some other form of addiction), but what do you guys think about this concept:

“All addictions are symptoms of an underlying problem. Addiction is not the problem itself. So, to deal with this addiction in a serious way, you might start by figuring out the cause. What is going on that makes you seek a pathological semblance of control? What are you trying to escape?”

Do you believe that gambling addiction is indeed just a symptom of something else in our lives? Something we’re trying to escape/avoid or something that we cannot deal with directly or resolve?

[monique]

Yes, I think there is a lot to be said for that concept. But I also think that, like most things in life, a ‘both … and’ approach can be more useful than an ‘either … or’ approach.

So there is an underlying problem (the ‘something else’, of which addiction is a ‘symptom’), that needs to be worked on, BUT, once the addiction has set in, it becomes a real problem in and of itself, too. Yes, it’s a symptom, but it has also become a problem that needs to be treated. Sometimes the symptom may need the more urgent action – not so that we forget about the ‘real’ problem(s), but so that we can create enough psychological ‘space’ to be able to work productively on what is behind it all. If we focus only on the ‘true’ underlying problems, whilst still actively engaged in a destructive ‘solution’ to them (eg gambling, drinking), it is hard to see how we would be able to think clearly about causes and creative ways of managing them. On the other hand, being able to express deep, previously hidden pain to an empathic listener, for example, may bring great relief, along with self-awareness and self-acceptance, which will all make it more possible to tackle the symptom practically.

So I think the two things need to be going on – symptom control and ‘deeper work’ – along side each other.

Best wishes,

Monique

[theone12221]

Wow what a great in depth response! Thank you! I really like your interpretation and I think you are spot on.

I also believe that there is definitely some underlying cause which starts off the addiction (or should I say, underlying causes because I’m sure many different factors come into play and interact in a way that makes things perfect for us to fall into the addiction). However often the underlying issue may not be that severe – eg. it may be something as simple as boredom, dissatisfaction with an area of our life or some sort of psychological burden/pain we are trying to get away from. We turn to gambling as our source of excitement/escape.

However like you said, once the addiction (symptom) takes over, it often becomes the single most negative aspect of our lives and needs to be addressed as a priority. In fact, I find gambling can often make those initial underlying issues even worse and bring with it a myriad of extra problems we never even had to deal with in the past (eg. financial loss, isolation, anxiety and depression). In that sense it becomes the main problem that needs to be addressed first.

I think reflecting on what caused us to gamble may be important in reducing our triggers; but it’s more a matter that should take the forefront of our attention once we have recovered (or mostly recovered) from our gambling addiction first. It may also be useful as a preventative technique for preventing relapses, as well as assisting others (generally) with not falling into the trap that is addiction.

Thanks for your input! Really gave me some food for thought there.

[monique]

I’m glad you got something useful from my thoughts as expressed here. I agree with you that indeed the underlying causes are not always very severe issues – boredom is one, as you say. Although, the more we seek to understand, the more we may find that there are ‘superficial causes’ masking deeper issues. But, yes, it is so sad that turning to gambling, for example, which can give some excitement for a time, soon leads to a serious worsening of the situation and life-experience and horrible additional problems. For recovery, it is usually important to slow down and deal with the most urgent difficulties first and gradually move through to other things.
Monique

[kin]

In nature, rewards usually come only with time and effort.
Gambling provide a shortcut, flooding the brain with dopamine and other neurotransmitters.
Our brains do not have an easy way to withstand the onslaught. Gambling can release two to 10 times the amount of dopamine that natural rewards do, and they do it more quickly and more reliably.
In a person who becomes addicted, brain receptors become overwhelmed.
The brain responds by producing less dopamine or eliminating dopamine receptors—an adaptation similar to turning the volume down on a loudspeaker when noise becomes too loud.
As a result of these adaptations, dopamine has less impact on the brain’s reward center.
Over time, the brain adapts in a way that actually makes gambling less pleasurable. They have to gamble more to obtain the same dopamine “high” because their brains have adapted—an effect known as tolerance.
The worst thing that ever happen to me was winning some money, I ended up spending more money trying to replicate the feeling.

[charles]

I would echo moniques thoughts. Whatever any underlying issue may be it would be hard to address it, or even recognise it, while we are still in action.

I would also add that it is important to realise that, whatever might have lead us to addiction, that addiction is now also a problem in it’s own right. If we stop gambling, sort out whatever “caused” our addiction, we would still be compulsive gamblers and unable to return to “normal” gambling. It is a progressive problem with no reverse gear I’m afraid.

[Steven187]

I think there are a number of reasons that lead people to gambling. For me, it was a bit of boredom/issues in my relationship with my girlfriend. My brother died when he was in his late twenties (he was 18 months older than me). I’ve always done things to excess-whether that be drinking/recreational drugs. I rarely drink these days and I no longer take drugs. 10 months ago, I wasn’t a compulsive gambler and I won’t be 10 months from now.

Perhaps we gamble due to underlying issues, perhaps it’s just out of boredom or the mundane. Obviously there’s the aspect of financial gain/excitement of gambling. Personally, I didn’t particularly need the money I was trying to win. Ironically, my life savings are now gone and I could do with a big win, but I’ve realised (the hard way) that I won’t win long term and I’m happy with that. I’m devastated at the money I’ve lost. If I go to buy a new house or car and think that I’ve lost £70,000 or thereabouts, it’s enough to make you feel sick, but I feel happy at the moment-happy not gambling.

[theone12221]

Yeah for me boredom/general dissatisfaction with my career progression and issues with my gf/family made me cross the line into dangerous gambling territory. Stressful events or traumatic events can definitely also be huge triggers. So sorry to hear about your brother Steven…I cannot imagine losing a sibling at such a young age. I’m glad you’ve overcome your alcohol/drug habits and are on the way to recovery from gambling. For me I’ve never dabbled in those although I have had unhealthy addictions to other activities before.

[lizbeth4]

I think my gambling addiction peaked because I wasn’t dealing with other issues in my life. My Husband’s drinking addiction and both of my Daughter’s drug addictions. I was always the strong one, keeping it all together, picking up the pieces. Then I broke and started gambling until it was a problem and I couldn’t stop. My Husband passed away and one of my Daughters has been drug free for over 3 years. I have come to terms with being a CG. I have had a few slips over the last 3 years but gambling doesn’t rule my life anymore. I am learning to deal with my problems in a more effective way now. I now understand that I can’t control what anyone else does, I can only control how I react and I am in control of my behaviors. It is a hard life lesson but now I am more at peace than ever before.

[Steven187]

I think there’s a number of reasons and I don’t think one thing made me start gambling. Until gambling compulsively, I used to only put the occasional bet on.
Just read about an 18 yr old from Cardiff who drowned himself after amassing gambling debts of £5000. Beyond tragic and through gambling online.

I don’t know about everyone else, but for me, gambling online was very much a solitary thing. Certainly wasn’t social.

[theone12221]

Yeah that’s terrible. I think the youngsters today are very vulnerable to gambling. Never before has online gambling been so easy and accessible. There’s even a lot of online games now that allow people to gamble with virtual items which have real money value (essentially real money gambling) and kids as young as 15-16 are losing thousands on these (often on their parents credit card). It really is getting out of control…

[Author]

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