However, some people who gamble never experience any other addiction.
Secondary addictions can also occur in an effort to reduce the negative feelings created by the gambling addiction. The use of some medications has been linked to a higher risk of compulsive gambling. Some people who are affected by gambling may also have a problem with alcohol or drugs, possibly due to a predisposition for addiction. Genetic and neurological factors may play a role. Studies have suggested that people with a tendency to one addiction may be more at risk of developing another. environmental factors, such as friends or available opportunities.
Many people who develop a gambling addiction are considered responsible and dependable people, but some factors can lead to a change in behavior. The individual may not realize they have a problem for some time. Gambling behavior becomes a problem when it cannot be controlled and when it interferes with finances, relationships, and the workplace. The activity can be described on a spectrum, ranging from abstinence through recreational gambling to problem gambling. No one can predict who will develop an addiction to gambling. Gambling can lead to a range of problems, but the addiction can happen to anyone.
