How Post Traumatic Stress Can Trigger a Gambling Addiction

Society’s understanding of gambling addiction and its causes has come a long way over the past few decades. A series of major studies on gambling addictions are pointing in new directions, identifying links between traumatic stress and gambling. For example, many veterans, coming home and resuming a normal life is a huge challenge, and recent studies indicate a link between PTSD (post-traumatic stress syndrome) and pathological gambling. In fact, between 12% to just under 33% of people with gambling issues are also dealing with PTSD.

Why is this?  People experiencing PTSD may using gambling in order to escape from their problems or alleviate their PTSD symptoms. Gambling acts as an escape mechanism, and when people experience the rewards associated with winning, it triggers the kind of ‘high’ similar to the experience of a high that is brought on by drugs or alcohol. Of course, the good feeling is short-lived, and then the gambler wants more, which can lead to a behavioural spiral that can lead to dire financial consequences and an even greater lack of self-worth. This addictive cycle can also cause feelings of shame, and the gambling addict will likely experience some difficulty in admitting they have a problem or need help.

Gambling Addiction Counsellor in Surrey

If you find that you or someone in your family has been suffering with a gambling addiction, you may want to consider if there is a PTSD factor present.

A gambling addiction counsellor in Surrey works to help gambling addicts understand that continuing to gamble is not the solution for dealing with PTSD.  They help people to stop planning their next gambling decisions and move, and to replace those with more productive behaviours.

Addiction Counselling in Surrey to Address Destructive Addictions

Many symptoms of an aggressive gambling addiction or alcohol addiction mirror those of PTSD. These include self-destructive and impulsive behaviours. These symptoms correlate to other problems such as depression, anxiety, phobias, and even suicide.

For alcohol addiction there is help, too. You will find so many ways of dealing with your addictions that you never thought possible. Working with an alcohol addiction counsellor in Surrey will turn your life around.

There are many similarities between PTSD and destructive addictions. Addiction counselling in Surrey will help you recognize these. If you or someone you know has been struggling with these symptoms lately, get them to see there is help available, and right now.