By Olivia Trani 

It often starts with excitement and the thrill of winning. But for some, gambling can shift from a few harmless clicks on a phone app to an obsession that affects finances, relationships and mental health.  

About 5 to 8 million adults in the United States are estimated to have either mild or moderate gambling problems, and more than 2 million are estimated to meet the criteria for having a gambling disorder, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling. 

While problematic gambling is becoming more pervasive across the country, researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University say one of the hardest challenges is recognizing this behavior early on.  

Carolyn E. Hawley, PhD, CRC, is a professor in the Department of Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling at VCU College of Health Professions. (Contributed photo)“Gambling is unique because you can really hide it, there’s no smell or bottles left as evidence, you can just be playing on your phone,” Carolyn E. Hawley, Ph.D., CRC, a professor in the Department of Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling at the VCU College of Health Professions. “A family member may not understand the extent of the problem until they go to a bank and find out there’s absolutely nothing in their accounts.” 

Hawley is also the president of the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling and the executive director of the Virginia Partnership for Gaming and Health.  

VCU Health News spoke to Hawley about the impact of gambling addiction and how people can get help with their recovery.  

What are some signs of problem gambling or gambling disorder?  

There are nine types of persistent and recurrent behaviors associated with gambling addiction. Exhibiting any of these behaviors is considered to be a sign of problem gambling, and people who meet four or more of these criteria are clinically diagnosed with a gambling disorder.  

• Not having self-control over how much money or time is spent gambling.  
• Feeling the need to gamble more to have the same level of excitement from previous experiences. 
• Experiencing physical withdrawals, such as headaches and sleeplessness, when trying to cut back.   
• Becoming increasingly preoccupied with reliving past wins and finding their next opportunities to gamble. 
• Turning to gambling when feeling distressed.  
• Chasing losses – when someone who has lost money from gambling will go back to try to recoup their losses. 
• Looking for financial bailouts to try to relieve desperate situations caused by gambling.  
• Lying to conceal the extent of their involvement with gambling from family members, friends and other loved ones.  
• Jeopardizing or losing a significant relationship, job or educational or career opportunity due to gambling. 

In what ways does gambling disorder create harm and impact relationships?   

Problem gambling and gambling disorders can result in severe consequences. Not only can gambling addiction drain a person’s savings, but it can also lead to job loss, relationship problems, homelessness and legal issues, as well as increase the risk of other forms of addiction, like substance use disorder. Individuals with gambling disorders also have one of the highest rates of suicide attempts of any addiction. Estimates show that 1 in 5 individuals with gambling disorders will actively attempt suicide, however this number may even be higher since gambling-related suicide attempts are often unreported. 

From mounting debts to property loss, this form of addiction can also have profound effects on a person’s family. Additionally, family members, especially children, often experience disengagement, instability and emotional neglect from relatives with gambling disorders. We also might see abuse happening in regard to financial consequences that adds additional stressors for a family. In households affected by gambling disorder, children are often left with the trauma of these consequences, some of whom will then go on and develop an addiction themselves. 

How can people with problem gambling get help?

In Virginia, individuals with gambling problems can seek therapeutic support by calling the Virginia problem gambling helpline at (888)-532-3500 or they can directly refer themselves to the Virginia Partnership for Gaming and Health. Eligible Virginians will be referred to our network of licensed treatment providers for follow up services, and more than 90% of individuals with referrals have met with a provider within a week. We can additionally connect callers with support groups, special apps to block gambling sites and financial counseling. If a person doesn’t have the ability to pay for these services or if their insurance doesn’t cover it, the Virginia Partnership for Gaming and Health can help cover costs as a last resort. 

Our workforce also includes certified peer recovery specialists, people in recovery from gambling addiction who use their lived experiences to support others on their journey to recovery. Talking to a person who has walked in their shoes can provide that hope, motivation and extra support to get help. Since adding peer recovery specialists to our support workforce, we have seen roughly a 45% increase in people going to a treatment provider.  

This helpline also provides resources to family members and friends who have a loved one with gambling addiction. We connect them to resources and guide them through how to have a conversation with someone they’re concerned about.  

What steps can I take to reduce my risk of developing a gambling addiction?  

The first step is understanding what kind of activities are forms of gambling. Since there are now so many different ways to legally gamble, sometimes you don’t realize that what you are doing is wagering. Additionally, some participating in activities like sports betting, card games, or bingo will think of them as skill games rather than gambling.  

It’s also important to recognize early signs of gambling addiction. It’s a good rule of thumb to set limits for yourself – such as limits for time and money spent gambling – and stick with those parameters. If you start breaking the limits you’ve set for yourself, that’s a sign you could be developing a gambling problem and an indicator that it’s time to cut back. Repetition causes the progression of addiction, so we want people to recognize these behaviors early so that they can give themselves a break from gambling.  

You are not alone. Learn more about recovery and peer support services for problem gambling or call the Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline at 888-532-3500.

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