On Jan. 1, sports gambling will be legal online and in brick-and-mortar locations in Ohio.
In advance of the launch of sports betting, we spoke with an expert on gambling addictions and how to spot and avoid them.
Betty Lin-FisherLinks to Healthy Actions columns
Angela Sowers, vice president of outpatient clinical services at Akron-based Portage Path Behavioral Health, is a licensed professional clinical counselor and a state-licensed independent chemical dependency counselor. She also has taught a graduate-level addictions course at Walsh University.
Portage Path has four locations in Summit County and has helped guide people to recovery from mental illness and related substance abuse disorders regardless of their ability to pay.
The organization also operates the 24-hour psychiatric emergency services and answers the 988 suicide and crisis Lifeline for the Summit and Lake counties and as a backup for several other counties, as well as operating its own hotline.
988 suicide prevention:Hotline set to launch nationally. Are Ohio and Kentucky ready?
This is an edited version of our interview.
How can you tell the difference between someone who is a gambling enthusiast versus someone whose issues may become an addiction?
An enthusiast is going be someone who can keep this contained to that type of entertainment or a hobby. There are plenty of people who are able to place a bet on a game and have that added thrill and excitement of the possibility of earning money or the pride of that predicted outcome. That can be incredibly intoxicating, and for some, that’s where it ends.
The big difference is that they will keep that level of insight, the judgment, the rational thinking, all of that remains fully intact when they’re making decisions about when, where and how much money, they’re going to wager. That would be your enthusiast.
But the brain functions in response to these heightened emotions that are caused by these sort of behaviors. There’s this sort of algorithm in the addiction process where you have that feeling of “I’m going to predict it” and then the gain, the loss, the excitement, that disappointment.
That’s really what causes this behavior to be one that’s going to be high risk for that addictive process to begin. So anything that we introduce into our awareness that induces that heightened experience where it’s really a release of these euphoric neurotransmitters and chemicals, that’s going to become a risk for addiction. For any repeated pleasurable experiences, some can be fairly benign. But for gambling, the risk really becomes defined by the negative financial impact and then related depression and anxiety too, that can affect an individual and their family.
Unemployment tax refunds:Help available for those waiting for unemployment tax refunds | Betty Lin-Fisher
What are the signs of a possible gambling addiction, and are those signs similar to other forms of addiction?
There are signs of addiction that apply to all addictions across the board and then the ones that really are specific to a gambling addiction. It is a disorder in our mental health disorders manual and is diagnosed by clinicians. There are other mental health disorders that can lead to impulsive behavior, so it’s important that the person be assessed by a clinical professional in order to rule out other possible mental health concerns.
To meet the criteria for the diagnosis, someone would be exhibiting four or more these symptoms for more than a 12-month period:
- Needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement.
- Is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling.
- Has made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop gambling.
- Is often preoccupied with gambling (e.g., having persistent thoughts of reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble).
- Often gambles when feeling distressed (helpless, guilty, anxious, depressed).
- After losing money gambling, often returns another day to get even (“chasing” one’s losses).
- Lies to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling.
- Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling.
- Relies on others to provide money to relieve desperate financial situations caused by gambling.
Does the behavior need to be for a 12-month period to be diagnosed?
Yes, for the diagnosis. But as soon as it’s causing a negative situation, seek help.
More:Car-seat safety rules have changed over the years. Here’s the latest | Betty Lin-Fisher
Are there differences between a serious chemical dependency and a gambling addiction?
With a substance use disorder, the individual is struggling with a desire to use a chemical substance to alter their mood. With a gambling addiction, that is categorized as a behavioral addiction. What becomes addictive is this chemical response that alters the mood.
Though the addiction process is similar, it’s just the way our brains are set up. We want to repeat behaviors that make us feel good. The problem enters when we lose sight of what kind of harm we are causing when we falsely believe we have control over a pattern of behavior that we in fact have lost control.
An example that I use is I enjoy shopping and there are a lot of people that even refer to it “retail therapy.” If I’m a shopping enthusiast, I would be able to have a plan of what I can and cannot spend and what I need and do not need.
If I’m becoming addicted to shopping, it’s then that I would begin to experience negative consequences of this behavior. Maybe my possessions become too much to manage, or I’m experiencing significant debt. If I realize that things are starting to negatively affect me, I can choose to set limits, create goals around spending and debt repayment. If I am not successful at keeping the limits or working toward the goals, I might then ask for support of some kind, and there is no shame in asking for support.
More:Healthy Actions: Want to lose weight? A doctor can help you with that
Are you and other experts concerned that making sports betting legal in Ohio will put more people at risk?
The mental health and addiction community is always going to be concerned when something that’s a high risk for addiction becomes legal. With the increased number of people engaging in sports betting, the increase of the addiction rises as well.
The real risk with gambling can be misunderstood by those who aren’t familiar with all that is involved. From the outside, it may seem like the risk ends with personal debt. The reality is that the pattern of behavior that is associated with gambling addiction, the secrecy, the major losses, the anxiety and depression that is associated, it often leads to an increased risk of secondary mental health problems and and increased risk of suicide.
There is also an increased risk for young adults and youth. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, 60% to 80% of high school students have gambled for money in the past year and most of it is related to sports.
There’s not a whole lot of federal money being spent on the education and intervention for youth. We need to talk to our youth about the risks and we need education and good evidence-based intervention and prevention programming.
More:Why local journalists matter in Akron and every community
What help is available?
Fortunately, there are a lot of different types of help available for those who want it. One of the hardest parts about getting someone connected to support is that as a concerned family or friend, we can lead a person to the right intervention, support and help, but ultimately as a free-thinking adult, addiction can be very difficult to treat if the person is not ready.
When we assess someone for treatment of addiction, one of the most important factors that we look at, is their stage of change. If the person is still in a state of contemplating the pros and cons of calling it quits, the battle can be a tough one. Addiction, by nature, is not something that the brain contemplates rationally. The illusion of control, the chase of the win, the compulsion and craving to experience the surge of excitement… It’s powerful. So sometimes that best intervention begins with the family or friends receiving the support to learn how to manage a relationship with someone who might be struggling with symptoms of gambling addiction.
More:6 reasons why you should subscribe to the Akron Beacon Journal
Treatment often includes cognitive behavioral therapy, which is an evidence-based practice utilized by most mental health clinicians.
A National Helpline for substance abuse and mental health services is available at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Problem gambling causes an increased risk of suicide. It’s very important to take any thoughts or talk of suicide seriously. For immediate attention, call 988, text 988, or chat at https://988lifeline.org/
To locate an in-person or virtual meeting with Gamblers Anonymous, go to https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga For families and friends: www.gam-anon.org
Children in sports:Healthy Actions: Let’s talk about kids and sports with sports psychologist
Can people also start addressing gambling addiction with their primary care physician?
Absolutely. Most primary care doctors are used to talking with their patients about what their concerns are that are affecting their mental health and can offer referrals, if needed.
What other tips do you have for loved ones or family members?
With a difficult conversation, you don’t want it to turn into a wrestling match. You want it to be a dance where you’re coming alongside someone and you’re leaving the emotions out. There can be a lot of anger and resentment and frustration that come into those conversations. The more that you can leave that aside, even though those emotions are real and they’re significant and they should be acknowledged, the better.
It is also important when you’re helping anyone with a problem behavior to look at whether we are enabling someone as opposed to supporting and loving them — for example, if someone asks me to take a credit line out in my name and now I’m in debt. We like to guide families and friends on how to set limits and how to have that sort of tough love in situations where it’s necessary.
For previous Healthy Actions columns, go to www.tinyurl.com/bettyhealthyactions Beacon Journal staff reporter Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at 330-996-3724 or blinfisher@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her @blinfisherABJ on Twitter orwww.facebook.com/BettyLinFisherABJ. To see her most recent stories and columns, go to www.tinyurl.com/bettylinfisher.
