Gambling Addiction

The NHS estimate that over 500,000 people in the UK are addicted to gambling.

Gambling has been around for thousands of years in various forms. The bottom line is that gamblers are more likely to lose than win so what is it that draws people to want to gamble?  Recent research has revealed that there may be a biochemical reason why some people enjoy gambling compared to others.  The results showed that the release of dopamine when gambling (the ‘feel-good’ chemical made in the brain) could be a large factor.  Taking risks is also part of human nature – humans no longer need to hunt but gamblers  find that gambling stimulates the mind, gets their heart pumping faster and introduces a challenge that can give a sense of purpose, ambition and (only sometimes) achievement!

A person’s emotional well-being often drives someone to want to gamble:-

• Low self-esteem: People with low self-esteem maybe drawn to gambling because winning can give them a sense of achievement.
• Stress: When experiencing a stressful event or situation one reaction maybe a desire to escape. Whereas some people will pick up a book, listen to music or have a bath others will use a form of gambling as a means of distraction.
• Lack of direction or purpose: Some people who feel like they lack ambition or drive to achieve things in life might experience a big win and feel like all their shortcomings can be resolved if they win again.
• Depression: When suffering from depression a lack of feeling or emotion may be experienced. The excitement of taking a risk when gambling can be very appealing to a person who hasn’t felt much of anything for some time.

However, the addictive gambling behaviour offers only temporary relief or distraction and what starts off as a release, or even a friend, fast becomes a vicious enemy leading the gambler locked into a terrible cycle of addiction and often financial hardship as it continues on the painful  downward spiral.

Signs to look out for to identify a potential gambling addiction may include:

• Finding it difficult to stop gambling
• Spending more money than you can afford
• Being defensive about gambling and/or money
• Gambling with an intent of getting out of financial trouble
• Increasing the amounts of gambling to get a ‘bigger buzz’
• Thinking and/or talking about gambling a lot
• Losing interest in socialising or other hobbies that you previously enjoyed
• Borrowing money or selling things to gamble
• Feeling depressed or even suicidal

How can hypnotherapy help with gambling addiction?

If you go to your Doctor to seek help with gambling they may refer you for group talking therapy (e.g.  Gamblers Anonymous) and if you are suffering with depression they may offer you anti-depressants.

Hypnotherapy is very effective helping you to overcome your addiction to gambling because it deals with any underlying issues and helps you to focus more on the present and moving forward confidently to a gambling free future.  The hypnotherapy is always completed on a one-to-one basis.

The number of sessions required varies as every client is unique but most clients only need  four to six sessions (usually weekly).