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. 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.
