Private Clinic for gambling addiction

Pathological gambling addiction develops slowly and gradually over an extended period. At first, those affected gamble purely for enjoyment. However, after some time, the phase of “excessive gambling” begins. During this phase, the person gambles out of an inner compulsion and increasingly loses control over their actions. Experts divide pathological gambling addiction into three phases.

Pathological gambling addiction arises from a combination of genetic, psychosocial, and biological factors.
Genetic factors:
Gambling addiction tends to occur more frequently in families where a relative already suffers from gambling problems. Genetics determine a person’s susceptibility to gambling, but additional environmental factors must be present for an addiction to develop.
Psychosocial factors:
People with gambling addiction often have low self-esteem. Many have experienced traumatic events in childhood, which increase the risk of mental health disorders such as gambling addiction. Affected individuals often use gambling as a form of emotion regulation, distracting themselves from real-life problems.
Those affected frequently focus entirely on gambling and block out everything around them. Winning gives the gambler a sense of control and boosts self-esteem.
Societal acceptance of gambling, as well as public advertising for products such as sports betting or lotteries, further promotes gambling addiction in society.
Biological factors:
Pathological gambling develops gradually and primarily involves the brain’s reward system. During gambling, an increased amount of the neurotransmitter dopamine is released, generating positive emotions and reinforcing behavior. However, as the body becomes accustomed to dopamine, the person must continue gambling to experience the same positive effect.
Addiction potential:
The addictive potential of the games is a key factor in the development of the disorder. Gambling is often easily accessible and provides a thrill due to the money at stake. Players are frequently led to believe they can control the game, as occasional wins reinforce this illusion.