A man tells a therapist about his online sports betting

The Effects of Online Sports Betting on Mental Health

Gambling is easier than ever before, with smartphones making online sports betting faster and much harder to resist. It’s no surprise, then, that the number of people struggling with gambling addictions has spiked throughout the country. If you’re battling this condition, getting gambling addiction treatment can help you get your life back.

At Promises, we offer inpatient and outpatient treatment for those struggling with all manner of addictions. You don’t have to go through the recovery process on your own. Learn more about getting help for online sports betting by calling 844.875.5609 today.

Gambling and Mental Health: Why It’s So Hard to Stop 

When people think of addiction, they often think of a substance use disorder, not gambling. Yet gambling can be just as habit-forming and just as tough to quit.

Impacts the Brain’s Reward System

Online sports betting and other types of gambling can stimulate the brain’s reward system as much as drugs and alcohol do. When you gamble, you experience a surge of dopamine, which reinforces sensations of pleasure and connects that pleasure to certain actions. In this case, that action is online sports betting. 

This tells your brain that it’s an action you need to repeat, which creates the compulsion to seek out gambling, just as you would experience alcohol cravings. 

Causes Withdrawal Symptoms

As with other addictions, trying to quit gambling can cause withdrawal symptoms, including low mood and irritability. Something to note, however, is that there is a cognitive distortion present with gambling that isn’t typically present in substance use disorders. 

The distortion comes from the idea that by playing long enough, it’s possible to win, which compels someone to continue gambling. That’s not the case with substance use disorders. 

Leads to Anhedonia

Similar to other types of addictions, gambling causes such a significant surge of dopamine that the brain starts making adjustments. Dopamine receptors can become less sensitive or may be eliminated, which can make it tough to feel pleasure from anything other than gambling. This phenomenon is referred to as “anhedonia.”

Over time, the usual amount of gambling no longer gives the person the rush they want, either. This can lead them to bet more money or play for longer periods just to achieve the same surge of pleasure. 

Can Gambling Cause Mental Health Concerns?

Gambling and mental health concerns are often intertwined. For one thing, online gambling can be even more isolating than in-person gambling, which can increase anxiety levels. Those who engage in online betting may be more likely to develop mental health concerns, including:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Substance use disorders

Sometimes, however, mental health concerns can lead to gambling. In the same way that someone with depression might seek out alcohol to manage symptoms, others may choose to gamble. 

Although gambling may appear to work at first, it can actually make your mental health worse because the same areas of the brain are impacted. You also begin to feel less able to enjoy anything other than gambling, which can exacerbate depression and anxiety. 

Break Free From Online Sports Betting at Promises Today

Online sports betting can begin innocently enough, but if you have the predisposition for it, you can quickly develop a gambling addiction. The best way to recover is by participating in a treatment program. With the right program, you can get to the underlying cause of the addiction and begin breaking away from these behaviors. 

At Promises, we offer effective gambling addiction treatment programs that range from inpatient to outpatient, along with extended care to help you achieve long-term recovery. Our programs offer hours of individual, group, and family therapy sessions to guide you through your journey. Call Promises at 844.875.5609 or use our online contact form to start healing today.

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