While around 1% of “traditional” gamblers are excessive gamblers, this figure rises to 13% for online gamblers (1). Often having difficulty recognizing their addiction, they rarely take the plunge to consult.
What is gambling addiction?
Like any other addiction, playing games online, in the casino or in the tobacconist in a pathological way is to feel a compulsive need despite the losses and the debts that accumulate. The player gradually loses control, bets more and more money and thinks each time that he is going to “recover” or win the jackpot.
As in a substance addiction, neurobiological changes in the brain prevent the pathological gambler from controlling his behavior or even his thoughts, and from recognizing his disorder.
What are the solutions ?
Because of their difficulty in recognizing the addiction, many pathological gamblers do not consult or find it difficult to maintain regular follow-up. Remote solutions are increasingly preferred, in this case through fun exercises in the form of video games on the Internet, the aim of which is to work on the ability to inhibit to regain control of one’s behavior.
If a study is in progress at the APHP (2) on this device, in general CBT (cognitive and behavioral therapies), offered face-to-face or remotely, have proven their worth in the treatment of pathological gamblers.
Sources :
- https://www.ofdt.fr/
- http://www.evalujeu.fr/static/index.html