They say knowledge is power, and a lack of psychology knowledge is one reason people can feel so
powerless in the fight against addiction. Gambling Disorder was included for the first time in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Since the release of the DSM-5 in 2013, gambling disorder (also called problem gambling or gambling addiction) has received increased attention by psychology researchers. Here are five recent findings that can help empower people who struggle with problem gambling. 1.Gambling Addiction Affects the Brain Like a Drug It was once believed that gambling addiction was primarily a matter of impulse control, and caused neurological changes similar to disorders like OCD. However, recent research supports a model of gambling addiction as more similar to substance abuse – as though gambling were an actual drug. Using this model of gambling addiction, scientists have found numerous parallels between gambling addiction and substance abuse. An article published by Scientific American reveals that gamblers and drug addicts share many underlying genetic predispositions for impulsive and reward seeking behaviour. Also, both gambling and drug addiction can directly cause the brain to produce less dopamine and fire fewer electrical signals during a high, causing addicts to seek greater gambling risks or increased drug dosages. 2.Women Perceive Gambling Differently Than Men While there is no doubt that gambling addiction causes physical changes to the body and brain, it is easy to ignore social forces that contribute to the development of problem gambling. Recent social psychology research supported the idea that women are generally more aware than men of the negative social consequences of gambling, and thus more likely to stop a gambling episode before problems arise. This finding may partially explain why female addicts generally begin gambling in their 30s, whereas men are more likely to begin in adolescence. 3.Nearly Winning Reinforces Gambling Addiction A recent article in the journal Neuropsychophramacology showed that almost winning can foster an illusion of control that drives further gambling. The researchers showed that gambling addicts also demonstrate increased neurochemical response in the ventral striatum – part of the reward pathway of the brain – when they experience a near win. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), often used for drug addicts, is frequently prescribed to problem gamblers to combat the influence of the near win. Using CBT, gambling addicts learn to confront the “Gambler’s Fallacy” that nearly winning indicates they are about to win, and means they should continue to gamble. 4.Gambling Behaviour Changes Based On Your Mood Participants in this study performed a task designed to simulate the experience of gambling. Participants were first given €2000 of play money to gamble with. In order to succeed in the task, participants had to make gut-level decisions on whether to take cards from one deck or another. The researchers found that after losing money, participants who were in a bad mood were less able to make decisions based on their gut feelings, and ended up losing even more money. The researchers then repeated the study, this time manipulating mood. Participants watched either a funny video clip from The Muppet Show, or a sad scene from Schindler’s List. The Schindler’s List group lost more money than those who had watched the Muppets. These experiments support the idea that being in a bad mood or experiencing something that puts you in a bad mood while gambling can significantly impair your ability to make healthy decisions about how much gambling to do, and when to stop. 5.Being Physically Motionless Can Help You Stop Gambling Researchers have also taken an interest in effective strategies for controlling gambling behaviour. A study published last year supported the idea that there is a motor component of compulsive gambling. Anyone who has gambled is familiar with the physical urge to reach out one’s hand and pull the slot machine lever or to click the “Deal” button in an online poker app. Researchers demonstrated that introducing a “stop” signal, in which gamblers simply force themselves to be physically still, can reduce the urge to continue gambling and lead to improved outcomes of a gambling episode. Gambling addiction is a serious problem, and increasing in prevalence in the UK, the United States, and throughout the world. Psychology researchers are answering the call, and adding to our understanding of how gambling addiction works. By increasing knowledge and awareness, we can combat gambling addiction and help empower people everywhere struggling with gambling disorder. -- Marcus regularly blogs at psysci.co a psychology, science and health blog that examines the latest research and explains how findings can impact and help individuals everyday lives.
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It's that time of year again. Silly Season for gambling. In case you've been living in a cave with no radio, TV or broadband coverage - the Cheltenham Festival begins next week. What many consider to be the highlight of the horse-racing year on these islands, runs over 4 days (Tuesday to Friday). Despite it being a UK fixture, Cheltenham holds a special place in the hearts of Irish enthusiasts. In fact, its appeal goes far beyond the limits of regular punters and the festival manages to inspire many, who would not bet on horse-racing from one end of the year to the other, to have a 'flutter'. Offices, factories and other workplaces are a-buzz with tips and talk of the winners and losers. This fascination is reflected in (and/or encouraged by) the media. It is practically impossible to listen to any radio station, read a newspaper or watch the TV without hearing talk of gambling. This, of course, is not so strange, considering that horse-racing and betting have been intertwined since time immemorial.
Unfortunately, for recovering gambling addicts (problem gamblers), this time of year is an absolute nightmare. If you don't believe me, try to spend one day between now and March 18th, avoiding all talk of Cheltenham. I'd be very interested to hear how you get on. In my time working with problem gamblers, they have almost uniformly expressed a sense of impending dread and fear in advance of the Cheltenham Festival. The 'triggers' to relapse (or 'lapse' or 'slip'), which most people in recovery from addictions try so hard to avoid, are omni-present. Short of booking a trip to Ireland's Most Remote Cave, it is practically impossible to avoid hearing constant talk of gambling. And as if that weren't bad enough, bookmakers heavily promote 'Free Bets' of up to €30 for new customers. For some problem gamblers in recovery, these sorts of enticements are the equivalent of a drug dealer putting a bag of heroin through a recovering addict's letterbox. So, if you are a problem gambler in recovery, what should you do over the coming week? Here are some suggestions:
Remember, there is no 'one-size-fits-all' approach to recovery. Your recovery journey will be as unique as you are - regardless of whether you are following the 12 Steps, in counselling or 'going it alone'. Do what works for you. Make healthy choices and reap the rewards. Barry Grant An excellent article in yesterday's Guardian newspaper (06.01.16) claims that the Chair of the UK's Responsible Gambling Trust (RGT) - a charity funded by the gambling industry - lobbied on behalf of that industry. Just like the alcohol industry in Ireland, the gambling industry encourages you to 'enjoy gambling responsibly' and directs you to the Gamble Aware website (the alcohol equivalent being Drink Aware). Alcohol addiction has an independent organisation with 'teeth' - Alcohol Action Ireland - ready to take on the vested interests, lobby government and actively raise awareness. To date, there has been no such organisation dedicated to gambling addiction in Ireland.
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