Why Gambling Can Be More Destructive to Your Health Than Drugs or Alcohol
When you think of physically destructive addictions, gambling probably doesn’t even make your top five. With the world’s abundance of bath salts, pharmaceutical pills and white powders, gambling can seem almost harmless in comparison. But according to a recent article on Alternet, gambling is one of the most physically dangerous addictions that exists. How can that be?
The problem lies in the fact that gambling, unlike drug or alcohol addiction, comes with no physical precursors to alert the user that he's in serious trouble. According to Alternet, addicts remain unencumbered by physical ailments, so their ability to cause financial devastation is infinite. And therein lies the heart of the problem; that unfettered financial destruction is a motivating factor for the addiction’s most dangerous characteristic―an exceptionally high suicide rate.
Alternet reports that the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) estimates that about 80% of those with a gambling addiction consider suicide, while one in five actually attempts it. That's roughly twice the rate of other addictions.
Though gambling often comes with a high incidence of secondary issues such as as depression and anxiety, the NCPG has concluded that the most telling precursor of an addict’s impending suicide attempt is the size of their debt.
NCPG reports that compounding the issue is the drive addicts feel to keep their problems a secret, further isolating themselves from their loved ones. With gambling, it's not just the addiction they need to keep under wraps, but the financial deceptions they've most likely perpetrated against their family, such as gambling away their kids’ college funds, or draining their spouse’s retirement account. And though there is recovery, it’s not the same as it is for other addictions.
Keith Whyte, NCPG’s Executive Director explains to Alternet, “If you stop drinking, you can still go get a job. But once you’ve got a gambling debt twice your annual income, it’s hard to come back from that. In our society, living without money is a lot harder than living without alcohol.”
Still, recovery does happen and help is available. Breaking the cycle of deception and secrecy is key, according to the NCPG. If consumers are looking for help, the agency can refer those in need to local treatment programs as well as provide ongoing support for those recovering from the disease.
Have you ever helped someone through an addiction? Let us know about your experiences in the Comments.
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A Bay Area native, Andri Antoniades previously worked as a fashion industry journalist and medical writer. In addition to reporting the weekend news on TakePart, she volunteers as a web editor for locally-based nonprofits and works as a freelance feature writer for TimeOutLA.com. Email Andri | @andritweets | TakePart.com
