The Psychological Effects of Online Gambling
Online Gambling is a fast-growing activity that allows individuals to gamble from anywhere in the world using devices like laptops, tablets and smart phones. This convenience has helped to attract a large number of people to the industry and its revenue continues to climb. However, online gambling can be addictive and lead to significant financial losses. Moreover, the lack of face-to-face accountability and control makes it easier for individuals to hide their gambling habits and avoid seeking help.
In addition to financial difficulties, the use of online gambling can affect a person’s relationships and mental health. Gambling addiction can lead to disrupted romantic, social and work relationships and feelings of withdrawal when trying to cut back. The addiction is also characterized by compulsive behaviors such as chasing losses and reckless betting, which can increase the risk of financial loss and aggravate the problem.
Psychological causes: Gambling is often used as an escape from daily life stresses and underlying mental health issues. A study published in Current Addiction Reports found that online gambling users tend to have higher rates of coexisting problems than those who gamble land-based.
The psychological effects of online gambling are similar to those of other forms of addiction, including disruption of relationships and feelings of withdrawal when trying to stop. Some of the most common treatments include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing. CBT helps a person identify faulty thinking patterns such as feeling that one is “due to win” after a series of losses and teaches them tools to reframe their thoughts in more appropriate ways. Motivational interviewing helps a person increase their motivation to change by exploring their ambivalence in a supportive and empathic manner.