What is a Gambling AddictionĪ gambling addiction refers to when a person is repetitively engaging in the act of gambling regardless of the amount of distress it causes. Often masked by genuine excitement or love for healthy competition, gambling addiction can completely ruin lives. Being under the influence generally offers a number of fairly obvious signs just by physical appearance and demeanor. While some of the behavioral characteristics may coincide, a gambling addiction can be harder to pinpoint. They may seem more withdrawn, less coordinated, or even paranoid. You may notice an increased sense of confidence, aggression, or loud and obnoxious behavior. Those under the influence may also have sudden changes in personality. For example, you may be able to identify needle marks, dilated pupils, a red runny nose or glassy, bloodshot eyes. When you suspect someone has a drug addiction, there are physical changes that can be easy to spot.
That said, both gambling and substance addictions should be treated in similar fashions, as the chronic illnesses that they are. One thing they have in common is that they are both very real addictions.īecause addiction is a disease, gambling and substance abuse are both considered to be chronic illnesses.
Recognizing a gambling addiction is not as easy as spotting substance abuse, though they do have their similarities.
