Just like chemical substance addictions, those suffering from compulsive gambling disorder can go through serious withdrawal. Identifying the signs and symptoms of gambling withdrawal can help you manage them. Studies on behavioral addictions have found that there are a range of different withdrawal symptoms, and they can be grouped as either physical symptoms or emotional symptoms.
Free Ebook: Understanding the Basics of Gambling Withdrawal
Emotional Gambling Withdrawal Symptoms
To better understand gambling withdrawal, there is need to comprehend the role of brain chemistry and dopamine in gambling addiction. The gambling withdrawal period often results in a flood of symptoms that can result in extreme emotional lows. Emotional gambling withdrawal symptoms can include, but are not limited to, the following:
Depression
Gambling can cause many mental health issues, and depression is one of the most common symptoms of gambling withdrawal. Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. It causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.
Depression can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home. Signs of depression include:
- Feeling helpless and hopeless. Paradoxically, some people gamble to feel like they're in control, only to lose that feeling shortly after.
- Loss of interest in daily activities.
- Changes to sleep patterns. Sleep is essential for mental well-being and sleep disruptions can be indicators of other problems.
Anxiety
Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure. Anxiety can prevent you from confronting your issues. It alters your perceptions and makes you think that things are much worse than they are.
It is not abnormal to experience anxiety when faced with nerve-wracking situations, but it becomes a disorder when it’s extreme, long lasting and difficult to control.
Insomnia
Insomnia is a sleep disorder that is characterized by difficulty falling and/or staying asleep. Insomnia can cause depression, poor health, decreased concentration and lack of motivation.
Cravings to Gamble
Cravings occur because the brain knows that the easiest and quickest way to get the “thrill” sensation your body is yearning for is by gambling. Cravings for an addictive behavior are much more intense than something like everyday food cravings.
You have powerful memories linked to gambling which makes it seem even more appealing. Cravings come and go and are at times weak or extremely powerful. The types and intensity differ from one person to another. Cravings typically involve a trigger, which immediately causes obsessive thinking.
Physical Symptoms of Excessive Gambling
The emotional withdrawal symptoms discussed can also present themselves as physical symptoms. Anxiety or depression can cause sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation can cause pale skin, weight gain/loss, acne and dark circles under the eyes. Physical gambling withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Sweating
- Headaches
- Racing heart
- Palpitations
- Muscle tension and/or soreness
- Tightness in the chest
- Difficulty breathing
- Tremors
- Nausea
Thankfully, you are not likely to experience all of these, nor will you experience them at the same time. Have you tried quitting on your own and it seems too hard? Are you experiencing withdrawal symptoms? Contact us to speak to one of our gambling addiction treatment professionals who can help you or a loved one overcome gambling. Taking this first step could change your entire life for the better.