Busting Gambling's Blues: How Addiction Plays Out
Identifying and Addressing Gambling Problems: Focus on Effective Listening as the Initial Step
In the gritty world of problem gambling, Dr. Jim Whelan is the go-to guy. Director of the Tennessee Institute for Gambling Education and Research, Whelan's gotta ear for a good gambling story. And he listens.
"We get em to open up about their gambling history, the highs and lows, the urges, the cravings," he says. "Everyone's different."
March rolls in, and with it comes Problem Gambling Awareness Month. Why, you ask? Well, did you know about the 2.5 million American adults grappling with severe gambling problems, or the additional 5 to 8 million struggling with mild to moderate ones? Yikes!
So, what's happening in those addiction-stricken gamblers' noggins? Well, Kindbridge Behavioral Health Chief Clinal Office Michelle Hatfield has got some insights.
"Gambling disorders play out a lot like drug or alcohol addictions in the brain's reward system," she explains. "The trigger of dopamine, the feel-good chemical, is a big player here."
But wait, there's a twist! Unlike substance addiction, gambling's got no companion chemicals or physical warning signs. Fun fact: gambling disorders have a suicide rate twice that of other addictions!
But fear not! Treatment's available, and it focuses on understanding gambling behaviors and helping individuals recognize the damage they cause. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing (a process helping people understand their position and readiness to change) are on the menu.
Knowing why someone's hooked on gambling's the first step. Then it's time to assess the risk of self-harm. It's not the norm, but a good third of folks seeking help have expressed thoughts about killing themselves, ending their lives, or causing themselves harm.
So, what do these insights mean? Basically, gambling's no walk in the park, and it shares some key similarities with substance abuse. It's time we acknowledged the parallels and offered those struggling with gambling disorders the help they need.
- Dr. Jim Whelan, a key figure in the gambling community, specializes in understanding gambling history, urges, and cravings, providing him with a wealth of stories in the world of problem gambling.
- March marks Problem Gambling Awareness Month due to the high number of American adults with severe and mild gambling addictions – approximately 2.5 million and 5 to 8 million respectively.
- Michelle Hatfield, Chief Clinical Officer at Kindbridge Behavioral Health, reveals that gambling disorders are akin to drug or alcohol addictions, involving the brain's reward system and the release of dopamine.
- Gaming disorders are unique in that they lack the physical signs of other addiction, but their impact can be just as devastating, with a suicide rate twice that of other addictions, emphasizing the importance of mental health awareness in casino-and-gambling settings and offering health-and-wellness programs focused on addressing gambling behaviors and providing the necessary support.
