The Connection Between Gambling and Substance Abuse

/The Connection Between Gambling and Substance Abuse
The Connection Between Gambling and Substance Abuse 2018-12-29T09:33:12+00:00

A study conducted in the US learnt that there is evidence of a connection between compulsive gambling and substance abuse. Gambling is considered an addiction but is rarely included on the same list as drug or alcohol addiction. The study has indicated that there are some common issues with gambling addiction and substance addiction that can cause these conditions to become a problem for some people.

The study revealed that between 10% and 20% of those who have substance abuse problems are also having issues with gambling. It is also possible that these two problems could be one disorder. People think that addiction to drugs is a separate issue to being addicted to gambling, shopping, sex, porn or eating etc. However, addiction is when a person has become to depend on something to deal with their life. If their life has become overwhelming they seek out an escape and in some cases some people found multiple addictions to escape to.

The study also turned up the links between the different addictions with some interesting results. A gambler may feel remorse when he has lost a considerable amount of money and turn to alcohol or drugs to escape the pain. Drinking is commonplace in casinos, often free to those who gamble. A sex addict looking for sexual partners may also use alcohol or drugs as part of the search in social locations. They will spend a lot of time in bars and clubs where alcohol and possibly drugs are available in abundance.

If he is not successful he may turn to either or both for solace. Most that have an addiction are in that situation because they are looking for some respite from their problems and have successfully found it in that addiction. The addiction of choice bears no relation to what it is that that are unable to deal with. The main thing, for them, is they have found something to hide behind when they are unable to face up to their life issues.

For treatment to be affective the cause of the pain they are hiding from needs to be addressed. Once the cause has been identified the addiction, whatever it is or even how many can be tackled.
