Can Gambling Cause Health Problems

Risking Your Health. Compulsive gambling is linked to a range of serious health problems, including obesity, heart disease, intestinal problems, fibromyalgia, migraine, depression, insomnia and other stress-related disorders. As with alcoholism, a gambling addict can develop tolerance, says Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Counsel on Problem Gambling. Whyte says the more people gamble, the more they need. Gambling addiction or gambling disorder is defined as persistent and recurring problematic gambling behavior that causes distress and impairs your overall livelihood. Gambling addiction affects roughly 0.2% to 0.3% of the general U.S. Population, and tends to affects males more than females, though this gender gap has narrowed in recent years. Gambling disorder involves repeated problematic gambling behavior that causes significant problems or distress. It is also called gambling addiction or compulsive gambling. For some people gambling becomes an addiction — the effects they get from gambling are similar to effects someone with alcoholism gets from alcohol.

For many people gambling is not a harmful activity, but for some it can be a serious problem. A recent Reed in Partnership report found that 10% of working adults have direct experience of the problems gambling can cause in the workplace and more than four in five British adults think that gambling and debt can be a distraction for people in work.

Does Gambling Cause Mental Health Issues

Gambling problems are incredibly complex, with motivations and triggers that vary for each individual, however concentration and behaviour at work has been found to be affected by gambling, leading to a loss of productivity.

Common impacts of problem gambling

• Financial difficulty, debt and bankruptcy
• Relationship breakdown (including divorce)
• Lost productivity
• Crime (e.g. theft and fraud)
• Low self-esteem
• Depression, stress and anxiety
• Substance misuse
• Isolation and loneliness
• Suicide

What does it cost your business?

• 5% of fraud now related to problem gambling (up to £225 million each year)¹
• Employee sickness and other absence
• Impacts on employee mental health
• Reduced productivity
• Damage to your reputation

Tesco shopping delivery slots. Protecting your business and supporting your employees

The National Gambling HelpLine and GamCare counselling services can support your current Employee Assistance Programme and provide additional safeguarding – our free advice and support is available nationwide to aid employee welfare.

GamCare can also assist your business in developing robust workplace gambling policies, and in providing training for HR and managers to identify potential problem gambling behaviour and provide appropriate support and signposting.

About GamCare:

• Leading national provider of information, advice and support for anyone affected by problem gambling
• Operates the National Gambling HelpLine (Freephone 0808 8020 133 or via web chat at gamcare.org.uk, 8am – Midnight, seven days a week)
• Free online and face-to-face counselling provided throughout England, Scotland and Wales
• For information on bespoke training and consultancy, contact info@gamcare.org.uk

External links:

1. BDO Fraudtrack Report, February 2016: http://www.bdo.co.uk/news/bdo-fraudtrack-report

On This Page:

People who struggle with a gambling or shopping problem often hide their issues out of shame and a desire for secrecy.

This often delays recovery and treatment and allows a gambling addiction to lead to other serious effects, including loss of jobs, failed relationships, and severe debt. Problem gambling is often associated with mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. Gambling problems don't just affect mental health. People who have struggled with gambling benefit greatly from treatment and often also need family counseling and financial coaching to fully recover.

Christine's Story

'You have to do the work in all areas of your recovery, including your finances. I chose to not do all the work necessary for a well-rounded recovery. Even though I was no longer actively gambling, my financial and legal troubles told me I still needed to work with a gambling addiction specialist. After my troubles occurred, I worked with a specialist for a year while I went through the legal mess I created.

'Now that I have reached eight and a half years in recovery from gambling addiction and alcohol abuse, I know it is my job, my duty, to be of recovery service to others. Life today is good!'

Can Gambling Cause Health Problems Cause

— Read Christine C.'s story and more at www.HeroesInRecovery.com

The Cost of Problem Gambling in Your Community

Studies have shown that more than $6 billion has been lost each year to gambling addictions. This problem is far-reaching and can cause both individuals and companies to panic and act in ways they would not normally act.¹

Gambling addictions also place a severe hardship on prison systems, public assistance programs, and legal systems. There are many consequences of gambling addictions that result in community economic costs.

Can Gambling Cause Health Problems Affect

Some community gambling addiction dangers include:

• Increased rates of unemployment
• Bankruptcy
• Fraud and check forgery

• Forced home sales
• Increased alcohol and drug abuse
• Poor mental and physical health of individuals and families

How Gambling Impacts the Individual and Family

While the addicted person will definitely suffer during a gambling addiction, that person's family will also face challenges. The stress that the problem gambler experiences may cause irritable behavior, secrecy, and arguments. Calls from creditors and bill collectors erode relationships. Financial strains impact all family members, and strained relationships make the experience difficult for even extended family members, friends, and colleagues.

The children of gambling addicts also suffer in many ways, including:

• Emotional neglect and abandonment (and even physical abandonment) when one parent is consumed in an addiction.
• Stressed and irritable parents may lash out at children angrily, and even if they do not, these children can sense their parents' tension.
• Children of people with gambling addiction are at higher risk of experiencing their own addictions later in life.

If You Can't Stop Gambling, Your Life Will Be Forever Changed

The effects of a gambling addiction are often quite clear. A large number of people who engage in compulsive gambling will use credit cards and debit cards to pay casinos or internet gambling organizations. If you engage in problem gambling, you will most likely incur debt, damage your relationships, and lose sight of your goals in life.

For many people gambling is not a harmful activity, but for some it can be a serious problem. A recent Reed in Partnership report found that 10% of working adults have direct experience of the problems gambling can cause in the workplace and more than four in five British adults think that gambling and debt can be a distraction for people in work.

Does Gambling Cause Mental Health Issues

Gambling problems are incredibly complex, with motivations and triggers that vary for each individual, however concentration and behaviour at work has been found to be affected by gambling, leading to a loss of productivity.

Common impacts of problem gambling

• Financial difficulty, debt and bankruptcy
• Relationship breakdown (including divorce)
• Lost productivity
• Crime (e.g. theft and fraud)
• Low self-esteem
• Depression, stress and anxiety
• Substance misuse
• Isolation and loneliness
• Suicide

What does it cost your business?

• 5% of fraud now related to problem gambling (up to £225 million each year)¹
• Employee sickness and other absence
• Impacts on employee mental health
• Reduced productivity
• Damage to your reputation

Tesco shopping delivery slots. Protecting your business and supporting your employees

The National Gambling HelpLine and GamCare counselling services can support your current Employee Assistance Programme and provide additional safeguarding – our free advice and support is available nationwide to aid employee welfare.

GamCare can also assist your business in developing robust workplace gambling policies, and in providing training for HR and managers to identify potential problem gambling behaviour and provide appropriate support and signposting.

About GamCare:

• Leading national provider of information, advice and support for anyone affected by problem gambling
• Operates the National Gambling HelpLine (Freephone 0808 8020 133 or via web chat at gamcare.org.uk, 8am – Midnight, seven days a week)
• Free online and face-to-face counselling provided throughout England, Scotland and Wales
• For information on bespoke training and consultancy, contact info@gamcare.org.uk

External links:

1. BDO Fraudtrack Report, February 2016: http://www.bdo.co.uk/news/bdo-fraudtrack-report

On This Page:

People who struggle with a gambling or shopping problem often hide their issues out of shame and a desire for secrecy.

This often delays recovery and treatment and allows a gambling addiction to lead to other serious effects, including loss of jobs, failed relationships, and severe debt. Problem gambling is often associated with mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. Gambling problems don't just affect mental health. People who have struggled with gambling benefit greatly from treatment and often also need family counseling and financial coaching to fully recover.

Christine's Story

'You have to do the work in all areas of your recovery, including your finances. I chose to not do all the work necessary for a well-rounded recovery. Even though I was no longer actively gambling, my financial and legal troubles told me I still needed to work with a gambling addiction specialist. After my troubles occurred, I worked with a specialist for a year while I went through the legal mess I created.

'Now that I have reached eight and a half years in recovery from gambling addiction and alcohol abuse, I know it is my job, my duty, to be of recovery service to others. Life today is good!'

Can Gambling Cause Health Problems Cause

— Read Christine C.'s story and more at www.HeroesInRecovery.com

The Cost of Problem Gambling in Your Community

Studies have shown that more than $6 billion has been lost each year to gambling addictions. This problem is far-reaching and can cause both individuals and companies to panic and act in ways they would not normally act.¹

Gambling addictions also place a severe hardship on prison systems, public assistance programs, and legal systems. There are many consequences of gambling addictions that result in community economic costs.

Can Gambling Cause Health Problems Affect

Some community gambling addiction dangers include:

• Increased rates of unemployment
• Bankruptcy
• Fraud and check forgery

• Forced home sales
• Increased alcohol and drug abuse
• Poor mental and physical health of individuals and families

How Gambling Impacts the Individual and Family

While the addicted person will definitely suffer during a gambling addiction, that person's family will also face challenges. The stress that the problem gambler experiences may cause irritable behavior, secrecy, and arguments. Calls from creditors and bill collectors erode relationships. Financial strains impact all family members, and strained relationships make the experience difficult for even extended family members, friends, and colleagues.

The children of gambling addicts also suffer in many ways, including:

• Emotional neglect and abandonment (and even physical abandonment) when one parent is consumed in an addiction.
• Stressed and irritable parents may lash out at children angrily, and even if they do not, these children can sense their parents' tension.
• Children of people with gambling addiction are at higher risk of experiencing their own addictions later in life.

If You Can't Stop Gambling, Your Life Will Be Forever Changed

The effects of a gambling addiction are often quite clear. A large number of people who engage in compulsive gambling will use credit cards and debit cards to pay casinos or internet gambling organizations. If you engage in problem gambling, you will most likely incur debt, damage your relationships, and lose sight of your goals in life.

There are many ways that an untreated gambling addiction can change your life.

• Family problems are very common. Almost all compulsive gamblers around the world have issues at home with their family because of their addiction.
• Financial devastation is unavoidable. People with a gambling addiction will go to extreme measures to get money to gamble. Many people eventually resort to stealing, taking out large loans, or other desperate means that are out-of-character.
• Job loss is very high among gambling addicts. Gambling addiction may lead you to miss work, or come to work distracted. Gambling addictions will interfere with work relations, promotions, and employment.

No matter how bad a gambling addiction has become, it is possible to turn things around. Call us for help today at 269-280-4673.