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Compulsive Gambling UK

Gambling is often called the ‘hidden illness.’ The name is apt because it has no physical symptoms and it is often kept secret from sufferers’ families for many years. However, with the advent of internet betting sites and increasingly licentious gambling regulations it is quickly becoming a common and widespread concern. It is estimated that between two and four percent of people in the UK are ‘problem gamblers,’ and this figure looks set to rise for many years to come.

There are two types of compulsive gambling. The first is ‘action gambling,’ where an individual is addicted to the thrill of risk-taking. The risk becomes their ‘substance of choice,’ in the same way that a cocaine addict constantly craves cocaine. Action gamblers tend to choose games where they can play with other people as part of the adrenaline rush is comes from being identified as a ‘winner.’

The second type is ‘escape gambling’. This happens when a person is looking to blot out particular feelings or an emotional crisis. Here, the thrill effect of gambling is secondary to its numbing effect. Escape gamblers tend to choose games they can play on their own – slot machines, for instance - where they can avoid interpersonal contact and focus solely on the game. In general, men tend more towards action gambling, whereas women tend to become escape gamblers. However, with all of these examples there is no such thing as a hard and fast rule.

But what leads people to become problem gamblers? The progressive, downward cycle of pathological gambling follows a pattern of increasing involvement in the addictive behaviour. Gambling expert Robert L. Custer suggested that the development of an addiction occurred in three distinct phases:

Firstly, the ‘winning phase.’ A big win, or series of wins, leaves individuals with unrealistic optimism about their winning continuing. They feel great excitement when gambling and begin increasing the amount that they are willing to stake.

Secondly, the ‘losing phase.’ Gamblers may begin bragging about wins they have had, start to gamble alone, and borrow money in order to bet. Some start to lie to family and friends and become irritable and withdrawn. Home life may become unhappy. Gamblers begin to chase their losses, believing that it is only a matter of time before they win back their losses.

Finally, the ‘desperation phase.’ Here there is a marked increase in the time that addicts spend gambling. They may be remorseful, blame others or alienate family and friends. Gamblers may begin to engage in illegal activities, replace this addiction with others that may threaten their physical health, or become depressed and even suicidal. People who reach this stage need to seek help.