Gambling addiction is a serious mental disorder that can have serious consequences on a person’s life. According to the ICD-11, gambling addiction is defined as a loss of control over gambling, which leads to financial, relationship, and professional problems.

Symptoms of gambling addiction

• Increasing need to gamble to get the same stimulation
• Using gambling to escape from problems or depression
• Inability to stop gambling or reduce the frequency of gambling
• Feeling of despair, depression, or anger when you can’t gamble
• Lying to loved ones about your gambling
• Significant debt due to gambling

Treatment of gambling addiction

Treatment for gambling addiction may include individual or group therapy, as well as medications to help reduce gambling impulses. It is important to find a treatment that is tailored to each individual, as each case is unique.

Advice

• Be there to listen and support the person suffering from gambling addiction
• Encourage the person to seek professional help
• Help put in place supportive measures, such as setting spending limits on money
• Try not to cover up mistakes or financial problems caused by gambling, but rather encourage the person to face these problems responsibly
• Take care of yourself and seek support if you need to talk about your own feelings or make difficult decisions.