Gambling can be just as addictive as a drug. Because the person becomes addicted to a behaviour gambling is known as a process addiction rather than a substance addiction. The consequences of this addiction can be very severe. If you believe that a loved one is developing a gambling problem then please consider staging an intervention to place him/her into an appropriate gambling addiction treatment program.

Many gambling addicts will make failed attempts to stop before they finally seek help from a rehabilitation (rehab) clinic. This addiction is just as tricky to overcome as a substance addiction but attendance in an addiction treatment program will improve the chances of attaining long term recovery.

Action gamblers seek the excitement involved in risk-taking and get a rush from competing with other gamblers. They are more likely to abuse games of skill that offer them a sense of victory over somebody else and nourish the idea that it is their skill that helps them to win.

The other sort of gambler, the escape gambler, uses gambling as a way to tune out the problems of life. These gamblers prefer to play games that are repetitive, require little skill, and don't require other people to be involved (e.g.: slot machines).

Being addicted to gambling may create physical and psychological problems. Maintaining the addiction and finding money to gamble is a very stressful endeavour that may cause hypertension. Seek a medical opinion if you have a gambling problem.

Gambling addiction can be treated in an addictions treatment center. The program will usually employ some form of cognitive behavioural therapy along with a medical component to rule out complicating health concerns. The rehab will usually encourage the addict to start attending 12 step fellowship meetings such as Gamblers Anonymous.

Additional Resources

• National Responsible Gambling Hotline is a South African resource dedicated to helping gamblers by providing counseling and support.
• National Council on Problem Gambling is a non-profit agency that helps gamblers find treatment resources.
• National Academy Press: Pathological Gambling is an American study into pathological gambling.
• National Center for Responsible Gaming is an American organization that assists gamblers as well as promoting gambling research.
• Gambling Online? You Bet! Is an article examining the increasing prevalence of gambling on the internet.
• Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship group based on the 12-step model for people with a gambling addiction.
• Pathological Gambling: A Critical Review is a comprehensive study of the effects and treatment of pathological gambling.
• National Gambling Impact Study Commission is an investigation into the social effects of the gambling industry.
• Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling is an american resource list of information and treatment.
• National Opinion Research Center: Gambling Impact and Behavior Study is a study of how the gambling industry affects American society.
• American Gaming Association provides information about gambling problems on behalf of the American casino industry.
• Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming is an academic study of how the gambling industry affects society.