Friends and family of problem gamblers may be quick to blame the condition on weakness or a lack of willpower.
The reality, however, is that many compulsive gamblers suffer from a mental condition known as ludomania.
Someone affected by ludomania is no less able to resist the lure of the roulette wheel or slot machine than an alcoholic can say no to a beer.
It’s not simply about the exhilaration of taking a bet or the thrill of winning, said Dr Heidi Sinclair of the South African Foundation for Responsible Gambling; rather, there are significant chemical and biological factors at play.
In fact, scientists have observed that a compulsive gambler winning money displays the same brain behaviour as a cocaine addict receiving a hit.
“The brain of a compulsive gambler is different to that of someone who is not affected by the condition,” Sinclair said.
“Typically, such people have lower levels of norepinephrine, a chemical which the brain secretes to prepare the body for action.”
Usually, norepinephrine levels are at their lowest when we sleep, rising as we become wakeful. However, when we are faced with a stressful or threatening situation, production increases significantly, preparing the body for fight or flight.
The brain of a compulsive gambler works differently: such individuals actively seek out situations which heighten stress and arousal to compensate the habitually low levels of the chemical. Hence they naturally gravitate to places like casinos and activities like gaming, where the very atmosphere seems charged.
At the same time, levels of serotonin – a chemical which regulates anxiety, mood and happiness – is also typically low in the brains of ludomania sufferers.
Serotonin plays a role in triggering compulsive behaviour, which may explain why certain antidepressants can be effective in treating ludomania. Although these biological issues play a role in compulsive gambling, social factors cannot be ignored.
“Gambling addiction often goes hand in hand with other addictive behaviours, including alcoholism,” Sinclair said.
Added to this, pathological gamblers may also exhibit symptoms related to mood and anxiety disorders.
These add up to serious problems for gambling addicts and their families.
“The most immediate concern is, of course, economic. There are many instances when a family’s financial well-being has been undermined entirely because of problematic gambling,” said Sinclair.
At the same time, problem gamblers may experience depression as a result of the emotional rollercoaster that traps them and because of the financial difficulties which are often compounded by their habit.
Alarmingly, this depression may lead to suicide.
“This is why treatment is essential and the SARGF has a critical role to play here,” said Sinclair.
She added that problem gamblers, their friends and family members are encouraged to make use of the foundation’s toll-free counselling line on 0800 006 008.
The foundation also provides treatment, starting with an assessment to determine the level of addiction, which is then followed by a referral to a treatment counsellor and eight treatment sessions at no cost.
“Society has come to understand that alcoholism and other forms of addiction are a disease. Sufferers cannot control these conditions any more than they can control whether they contract flu. We need to afford problem gamblers the same understanding, but we also need to help them as much as we can,” Sinclair said.
Contact helpline@responsiblegambling.org.za for more information.
If you or any of your family members feel you may have a gambling problem, contact the toll-free counselling line on 0800 006 008.
