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Compulsive Gambling
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Mental Health Behavior

Compulsive Gambling

While many people gamble recreationally, compulsive gambling is a loss of control that can negatively impact your life and requires professional intervention.

Many people enjoy gambling, whether it's betting on a horse or playing poker on the Internet. Most people who gamble don't have a problem, but some lose control of their gambling. Signs of problem gambling include:

  • Always thinking about gambling
  • Lying about gambling
  • Spending work or family time gambling
  • Feeling bad after you gamble, but not quitting
  • Gambling with money you need for other things

If you have concerns about your gambling, ask for help. Your health care provider can work with you to find the treatment that's best for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Direct confrontation often leads to defensiveness and denial. Instead, focus on expressing how their behavior affects you and the family using "I" statements, such as "I feel anxious when money is missing." Encourage them to seek professional help by providing information on resources like the National Council on Problem Gambling. It is also critical for the family member to seek their own support, such as Gam-Anon, to maintain their own mental health and avoid enabling behaviors like bailing them out of financial debts.
Yes, research indicates that compulsive gambling activates the same reward pathways in the brain as substance use disorders, particularly involving the neurotransmitter dopamine. The "chase" for the next win triggers a release of dopamine similar to that experienced with drugs or alcohol. This neurobiological overlap explains why gambling addiction often co-occurs with substance abuse and why treatments targeting impulse control and reward processing, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and certain medications, can be effective for both conditions.
Beyond direct monetary losses, compulsive gambling often leads to severe credit damage, bankruptcy, and loss of assets such as homes or vehicles. It can also result in the loss of retirement savings and student loans taken out to cover gambling debts. These financial impacts can persist for years or even decades, affecting future housing stability, career opportunities, and the ability to plan for retirement, making financial counseling a crucial component of recovery alongside psychological treatment.
The first step is to remove access to money and gambling opportunities. This may involve handing over financial control to a trusted person, closing online gambling accounts, or using self-exclusion programs offered by casinos and betting sites. Simultaneously, reach out to a mental health professional or a specialized addiction counselor. Acknowledging the loss of control is a significant step, and professional guidance can help develop a structured plan to manage urges and address underlying emotional triggers.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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