There are three phases to a gambling addiction: winning phase, losing phase and desperation phase.
How do you go from being a social gambler to compulsive gambling?
Robert L. Custer, M.D., former Chief of Treatment Services of the Mental Health and Behavioral Science Service of the U.S. Veterans Administration, is widely considered to be the father of professional help for the compulsive gambler. In 1972, Custer, a psychiatrist, established the first inpatient treatment center for compulsive gamblers at the VA Hospital in Brecksville, Ohio.
That type of behavior falls into the category of 'compulsive gambling,' which is the stage before gambling addiction. What is Compulsive Gambling? 'The shortest version is that compulsive gambling is, as its name implies, a compulsion,' says Lance Dodes, MD, author of THE HEART OF ADDICTION: A New Approach to Understanding and Managing.
Dr. Custer was the first to suggest that pathological gambling is a treatable illness. Through his efforts, the American Psychiatric Association classified pathological gambling as a psychiatric disorder in 1980.
Compulsive gambling is a disorder that affects millions in the U.S. Get the facts on gambling addiction causes, risk factors, symptoms, signs, diagnosis, treatment, negative effects, complications, and support. Gambling Wave Sets Stage for Addiction. 'More than 8% of new gamblers may end up having some type of gambling addiction, but we don't know how to identify then in advance,' White says.
Dr. Custer identified the progression of gambling addiction as including three phases:
- the winning phase;
- the losing phase
- the desperation phase
The Winning Phase
The winning phase is a time when gamblers win at gambling multiple times, leaving them with an 'unreasonable optimism' that they will keep on winning. Such gamblers begin to love gambling and trust that their luck will not run out. Lucky animals in japan. They keep on bidding and begin adding to their bids. These gamblers feel confident and comfortable, until the losing phase.
The Losing Phase
In the losing phase, gambling addicts begin to withdraw from friends and family. Gamblers start gambling alone and consider borrowing money by legal or illegal means. They become isolated by their gambling, and this isolation infiltrates their home lives. As these gamblers increase the quantity and amount of their gambling, their debts become a problem. These gamblers start chasing their losses, wanting to return to gambling directly after a loss with the hope that they can win the money back.
The Desperation Phase
The desperation phase occurs when the gambler spends more and more time gambling. This excessive time spent gambling leads to these gamblers feeling guilty, blaming others for their problems, and alienating their family and friends. The gamblers may begin to engage in illegal acts in order to have gambling money. The video poker edge. They may turn to alcohol or drugs to combat the helplessness they feel and may experience psychological and social problems such as depression, emotional collapse, divorce, suicidal ideation or attempts, or arrest.
More comprehensive information on Signs of Gambling Addiction.
next: Treatment of a Gambling Addiction
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APA Reference
Gluck, S. (2008, December 31). Phases of a Gambling Addiction, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2021, February 23 from https://www.healthyplace.com/addictions/gambling-addiction/phases-of-a-gambling-addiction
What most gamblers do not realize or forget to realize is that they will never win in any form of gambling unless they quit. Thor with lightning. The mathematics of gambling shows that the odds are far greater than the chances of winning.
Your chances of winning are either through intensive research of the probabilities by factoring in the statistics of the past results, a lousy game by an opponent or by pure luck. 'They gamble to reach the high. They gamble to escape emotional pain for hours, for days, until the money runs out. They quickly relish the winnings, investing nearly all of it back over the next days and weeks. They slowly destroy their lives. They get caught in the cycle.' Damon Dye, EdD, LMHC, NCGC II, BACC explains.
It was just recently proven by science that people tend to be addicted to gambling the same way that they could also get addicted to drugs. The Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery identified four stages of gambling addiction:
- Winning Stage
Addiction usually starts with beginner's luck. You pull the lever of the slot machine for the first time, got three matches of the same figure and won a few dollars. The next thing you know, you're pulling the levers of the rest of the slot machines hoping to win the jackpot. 'Addiction is progressive and, like a shark, stays hungry and keeps moving.' Darren Haber, PsyD, MFT said.
The hook of gambling is it will give you a glimpse of winning to keep you betting. With every win, your brain releases a chemical messenger called dopamine that gives off a wave of satisfaction and pleasure, leaving you wanting more of that feeling.
- Losing Stage
Gambling Addiction Symptoms
By the time your beginner's luck starts to fade, then comes a series of losses. The money you won from your first wins are now gone. Worse, you're in for a huge amount of debt.
'A person who has a gambling addiction is a person who is unable to regulate their gambling. They spend more money and more time on gambling than they originally intended.' Aaron Sternlicht, LMHC, CASAC said. At this stage, gamblers still believe they could win back their losses. Hence, they would do anything to get as much money as they could to support their gambling addiction. They think that if they bet higher, they would win back most of their losses.
Their anxiety to win back their money leads them to multiple loans from friends and family and lying about where they are taking the money.
- Desperation Stage
At this stage, gamblers totally lose control of their addiction and their need to get their fix. Even though they are well-aware of the repercussions of their actions, they cannot stop themselves from going to the casino.
They would not think twice about putting their properties on the mortgage, betting their cars, and losing every single penny that they have. Some even commit criminal offenses such as theft, fraud, and even murder just to have the money to pay off their debts.
- Hopeless Stage
Gambling Addiction Treatment
This is the stage where most of the gamblers commit suicide. By the time they lost their properties, their friends and families, their careers, and everything that there is to lose, they become hopeless.
Their families who were once there for them are now gone and fed up with the multiple lies that they have been subjected to. Losing their support system now, when they need help more than ever, leads to greater anxiety and even into depression.
They turn to alcohol and drugs to ease the pain, worsening their state. Only until someone helps them get up and make them realize all their mistakes could they go to the recovery stage of gambling addiction.
If you know someone who is experiencing at least one of these stages, make sure to approach them and lend a hand with their problem. There are several options to help someone with gambling addiction.
Stages Of Gambling Addiction Definition
You can refer them to a mental health professional or even direct them to online counseling services. Whatever it the most convenient, let them know that you'll be there through every step of the recovery.
