Poker Addiction

Introduction

Poker is a popular game of skill and chance and while most people can gamble for fun, without issues, there are a small but significant portion of people (about 1–3% of adults) who struggle with gambling disorder, in this case, poker addiction. In fact, some groups face much higher risks: about 10% of college students experience pathological addiction, and in regular poker players, around 46% experience problems, with 39% experiencing moderate to severe addiction. So, although people can enjoy poker recreationally, for some it becomes a compulsive behaviour. This may be because of poker’s addictive nature. This relates to the illusion of control; where slot machines are based on pure chance, in poker, players believe skill gives them control. Now, with 24/7 access to online gambling platforms, there is higher risk of developing addiction. The risks include: financial ruin, strained relationships, and psychological distress. This article explains phases, symptoms, effects, and recovery options – because when it comes to addiction – the stakes are high.

What is Poker Addiction?

Before we can understand how to stop poker addiction, we have to know what it is. Poker addiction is a subtype of gambling disorder. It entails a strong compulsion to keep playing even though it causes harm to the person. This kind of addiction often involves chasing losses, playing beyond one’s means, and lying about compulsive gambling. This is markedly different from casual enjoyment because of a significant core feature; the loss of control. Poker addiction is recognised as a behavioural addiction and bears similarities to substance addictions. For example, the loss of control, secrecy, and harm caused to mental and physical health, as well as finances, and relationships. So now we understand what it is, let’s discuss a particular type.

Online Poker Addiction

A highly relevant form of poker addiction is internet poker which increases the risk of this problem developing because it’s constantly available, with opponents playing at all times from around the world on mobile devices. What makes it even more sinister is the lack of physical cash. As many of us know, when we spend digitally, we do not necessarily acknowledge how much we spend, so it becomes easier to overspend. Online poker also makes it easier to hide the problem from friends or family. It can easily become a fun past time because of the quick rounds, instant rewards, and live tournaments that are held. The pandemic also added to the problem, now many of us live a somewhat increased remote lifestyle which can amplify exposure.

Who is at Risk of Developing Poker Addiction?

The kinds of people who are more at risk of addiction are those with competitive, impulsive, and risk-taking personalities. Also, if you’re the kind of person who is more reactive to urges, rather than able to manage them, you may be more at risk. If you have a history of other addictions like alcohol, other drugs, or gaming, you may also develop poker addiction more easily. Emotional vulnerabilities like depression, anxiety, or loneliness are also risk factors, due to the need for distraction, fun, or comfort. In terms of gender, men aged between 18 and 40 more often experience this type of addiction, however, anyone is susceptible. Financial stress can also create a vulnerability, due to the need to make quick money. Highly intelligent or strategic thinkers may also experience issues because of the belief in their skill and underestimation of their susceptibility to addiction. So there are lots of factors that can create a vulnerability to poker addiction.

The Three Phases of Poker Addiction

The Win Phase

During the early stages when people win big or often they start to get sucked into this world of excitement and can become overconfident. Their wins reinforce their beliefs that their success is based on skill rather than luck. Understandably, this leads to an increased amount of playing time, and the bets become larger as overconfidence takes over. This is essentially a psychological “hook” and it fuels the need to continue to play and win. This makes sense because you’re not just paying to win the game, you’re winning money. There’s also the dopamine hit that becomes addictive in itself.

The Loss Phase

Sadly, what goes up, must come down. As play increases, the wins start to become less frequent. This means that the losses start to build up. Another psychological phenomenon occurs; the need to chase losses – losing more means there’s more to recoup and the pressure to just win it back, builds. People start to borrow money, lie to family, and the financial stress begins. The pressure of the whole situation creates emotional strain on the person. Gambling is no longer enjoyable and fun, it’s become a harmful need, filled with pressure. The person believes if they can just win, they’ll be okay so they can’t stop gambling.

The Despair Phase

Now, they are really coming down as they hit the despair phase. This is one of the classic poker addiction signs, of which there are many to discuss. For instance, by this phase, the individual experiences severe financial debt, they may have broken down relationships, and even lost their job. Due to the shame and secrecy involved, they may also be quite isolated. There is an obsession to play and developing a gambling problem – it now feels compulsory – not pleasurable. It’s become a serious problem at this stage, because on top of the practical problems caused, there is the risk of depression, substance misuse, and suicidal thoughts.

Poker Addiction Symptoms

So we’ve mentioned some of the signs of a poker addiction. Let’s understand them a bit more as a whole. There’s the preoccupation that was mentioned, people will constantly be thinking about playing poker and upcoming games. They will experience that loss of control mentioned – a hallmark of addiction. They cannot stop or cut down. They chase losses and this means playing longer or harder to win back amounts of money they’ve lost. There’s the lying and secrecy as they hide their gambling from family and friends. They may borrow or even steal money to fund play. There will be a general neglect of responsibilities, including with work, family, or personal health. Individuals may also experience mood swings, including irritability, anxiety, and restlessness when they’re not playing. Tolerance also grows, they need bigger stakes for the same thrill. And, of course, there’s the withdrawal-like symptoms – they may feel stress and agitation when they’re unable to play.

Effects of Poker Addiction

Physical Effects

So you might want to know how to stop poker addiction because of some of the reasons mentioned, or because of the physical cost. For example, sleep suffers because of the late-night games. People can also experience headaches, eye strain, and fatigue from prolonged screen use. The lifestyle can be quite sedentary too, which, combined with a sub-optimised eating regimen, can result in weight gain or health issues. Add stress to all of this and we have a recipe for poor cardiovascular health and a weakened immune system. So we see how, in some cases, individuals will neglect basic routines that keep them well. They will start to eat poorly, stop exercising, stop seeing friends, and develop an unhealthy lifestyle.

Psychological Effects

There are also many psychological poker addiction signs that accompany the physical ones. There is a high level of anxiety and stress that is caused by this kind of addiction. Depression naturally follows from the losses as individuals start to feel hopelessness setting in. There are also feelings of guilt, shame, and self-loathing which impact self-worth. There can also be feelings of irritability and angry outbursts because of the stress and sense of being trapped in the addiction cycle. The impact on the brain due to things like poor sleep, diet, stress, and more, mean that concentration and decision-making are also affected which ironically affects the game itself. Also, as mentioned, the despair phase can cause suicidal ideation – a huge risk.

How to Stop Poker Addiction

• So if you came to us for help with this problem, we would work in a structured way and create a tailored treatment plan to help you recover from poker addiction. The first step, as with any addiction is to acknowledge the problem, acceptance really is the first step because until you accept there’s a problem to fix, there’s no problem to fix!
• Now, if you were trying this without the help of a therapist, after admitting there is a problem, you might want to try some self-help strategies. This could be as simple (but not simple, of course), as setting strict limits on your time and money. You might ask a friend or family member to support you with this. Another thing you could do is to block online poker sites and apps. You will also need to have things to replace gambling activities. So, see if you can find some healthier hobbies, and again, if you can do them with someone else, you’re more likely to stay on track. This might be a fitness class, or learning a martial art or some other skill.
• If you have tried self-help like this already, and found it hard to stick to, then professional treatment options are a solid next step. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help you to challenge distorted beliefs. Motivational Interviewing is another tool that therapists can offer to strengthen change commitment. Some people also find group therapy (Gamblers Anonymous) helps.
• There are also practical tools that can help you. For example, financial counselling can be a good step to help you manage debt and improve mental health by doing so. Again, you may need the support and accountability of those in your life to help you.
• There is also the option of self-exclusion programmes. These are formal systems that let you block yourself from gambling venues or websites for a set period of time, or even permanently. So for online gambling, you can sign up with a national or site-specific programme (like GAMSTOP in the UK). This blocks access to all registered gambling websites and apps. At casinos or betting shops, you can apply for self-exclusion, so will be refused entry. This can be a helpful barrier to help protect you from relapse while in recovery.
• For some, medication may help them focus on recovery, so these may be antidepressants or mood stabilisers. But recovery is about building resilience and feeling stronger and more in control as time progresses. Stress management techniques can also help the process along (exercise, meditation, journalling).
• With any addiction, life beyond it can feel boring and effortful so recovery becomes about focusing on meaning and fulfilment beyond gambling. Remember, therapy can also help you prevent relapse by helping you identify your triggers and develop coping strategies. It’s also a useful way to hold you accountable.

What is the Success Rate of Gambling Addiction Treatment?

At the time of writing, there is no universal figure, and success varies between person to person. But we do know some factors that affect the outcome: one is motivation. This is one of the most important aspects when it comes to doing anything successfully; A good support system also helps; The severity of addiction is an influencing factor too, as are any co-occurring mental health issues.

Currently, the studies suggest that 30–50% experience long-term improvement rates, but relapse is common. So, it’s important to set realistic expectations and remember that progress is gradual, not linear. Success can often mean that the harm of this addiction is reduced with a sense of control returning. It may not be total abstinence, but this is still improvement and that’s progress. For some people there may be a need to manage this in the longer term, making ongoing support critical.

But, we do know that positive outcomes have been linked to therapy, lifestyle changes, and support groups – with the best outcomes combining all three. This is because each addresses different aspects of addiction. Therapy challenges thinking patterns and helps with self-understanding and accountability. Lifestyle changes fill the gap left by gambling, and support groups provide long term encouragement and relapse prevention.

Conclusion on Poker Addiction

We’ve discussed poker addiction, including its unique blend of skill and chance which makes it addictive. You now also know about the addiction phases, these predictably go from win to loss, and then despair. The symptoms are many, and span financial, emotional, and physical domains. While it can be devastating, it’s important to remember that recovery is possible with the right support. So if you’re grappling with a poker addiction and have already tried self-help, without progress, then get in touch for professional help. Remember, that once upon a time, before gambling addiction, you probably lived a more fulfilling life. This means it’s possible to enjoy a life of fulfilment without gambling too – you just have to get there. One day at a time.