Chronic Gambling, alcohol and other drugs are used for a vast array of reasons. Addictions are pursued to help one to relax, to feel more lively, to feel less inhibited or to feel pleasure. Some find the effects of substances make it seem easier to cope with problems. Some use substances for religious reasons or to fit in with the crowd. Others may be curious about the effects of a specific drug.
Addiction is never the end goal. Many feel that they will have the strength to stop the abuse or the gambling. It is what the habit, needs change, is when the problems may begin.
We must understand what the Addiction is doing to us, our loved ones, Family, or work.
Going to the casino to play a few hands with friends. A few dollars are lost. One stays later to get the losses back. Concentrating at work becomes a problem. Showing up later at work becomes a problem. Faking expenses to get funds for gambling, taking from the family vacation fund, the spiral begins. This is not much different then the casual drinker who goes from having a few drinks to fit in, to missing work, to having no greater thought then the next drink.
This example shows how Addictions can develop slowly, and how it can be easy to overlook some early warning signs. Next, we will look at some things that can signal when a person’s substance use might be a problem.
When is a gambling or substance use a problem?
Two important signs that a person’s gambling or substance use is risky, or is already a problem, are harmful consequences and loss of control.
Harmful consequences
The harms of Addiction can range from mild (e.g., feeling hung-over, being late for work, borrowing to cover losses) to severe (e.g., homelessness, disease, jail, ). While each time a person’s addictions may seem to have little impact, the harmful consequences can build up over time. Some examples and early warning signs are:
⇒ injuries while under the influence
⇒ feelings of anxiety, irritability or depression
⇒ trouble thinking clearly
⇒ blackouts
⇒ problems with relationships
⇒ spending money on substances or gambling rather than on food, rent or other essentials
⇒ legal problems related to addictive behaviors
⇒ loss of hope, feelings of emptiness.
⇒The harms of Addictions can also extend to the person’s family, friends, co-workers and even strangers (e.g., when someone drives while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs).
Loss of control
Some people may be aware that their addictions cause problems but continue the behavior, even when they want to stop. They may use or spend more than they intended, or find themselves in situations that they did not intend to be in. At times one may be blind to what is happening. This is often referred to as being “in denial.” This so-called denial, however, might simply be a lack of awareness or insight into the situation. Whether people realize it or not, lack of control over substance use or gambling is always an issue.
What is Addiction
Another word for addiction is “dependence.” There are two kinds of dependence:
Psychological dependence occurs when a person feels he or she needs to gamble, or get high to function or feel comfortable (e.g., needing to drink alcohol to feel relaxed in social situations, or needing to be high to enjoy sex). Some people come to feel they need a substance just to be able to cope with daily life or to feel a belonging or acceptance.
Physical dependence occurs when a person’s body has adapted to the presence of a drug. Tolerance has developed, which means that the person needs to use more of the drug to get the same effect. When drug use stops, symptoms of withdrawal occur.
People often think that psychological dependence is not as serious as physical dependence. This is not necessarily true. Cocaine, for example, does not cause physical dependence—but it is considered one of the easiest drugs to get hooked on and one of the hardest to give up.
Why do we not stop our behavior
Addictions can be hard to change. One thing that makes change so difficult is that the immediate effects tend to be positive. People may feel good, have more confidence and forget about problems. In contrast, the problems from use might not be obvious for some time.
People may come to rely on the effects gambling, or substance abuse to bring short-term relief from difficult or painful feelings. The effects can make problems seem less important, or make it seem easier to talk and to be with others. When people get into these behaviors it can make it difficult to escape or change the way they feel, and these addictions can become a habit, which can be hard to break.
Continued substance use, especially heavy use, can cause changes in the body and brain. If people develop physical dependence and then stop using, they may experience distressing symptoms of withdrawal. Changes to the brain may be lasting. These changes may be why people continue to crave substances and slip back into substance use long after they have stopped using.
Similarly addiction to problem gambling through the release of chemicals in the body, can be equally as hard to change.
Gamblers who have a problem, will say that staying away from the casino, or gambling, is like a divorce or a terrible relationship breakup.
away either. By staying in treatment and continuing to get support, Alex began to get his life back on track.
How common is addiction?
Addiction affects many people. Those who have not experienced a substance use problem or gambling problem first-hand are likely to have a family member, friend or colleague who has. Although addiction affects men and women of all ages, rates are:
⇒ two to three times higher in men than women
⇒ substance abuse highest among people aged 15 to 24
Shame can follow addiction
It is not unusual to feel shame with an addiction. This makes the number or addicted substance abusers, and problem gamblers, much higher than reported numbers. Stigma is another reason why the rates of substance use problems may be higher than studies suggest.
Shame, or not wanting to be labeled also affects the families of people with addiction. It makes them hide the problem or pretend it isn’t there at a time when families need support.
Recognizing the problems, and speaking about the addictions, as addictions, helps to better understand and provide support.