Many people are experiencing serious issues while living in lockdown. While addiction is most commonly associated with substances like alcohol, certain behaviors can also be addictive such as gambling.
Internet gaming disorder or gambling disorder are called process addictions and with many people stuck at home during this pandemic these struggles become amplified. Dr. Scott Teitelbaum professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at the University of Florida’s College of Medicine and medical director of the UF Health Florida Recovery Center has noted “People are isolated by themselves at home,” adding, “Life is hard, and people are always looking for something to soothe themselves, and some people get pathologic attachment.”
Teitelbaum said, “Stress is a trigger, As a rule, any of these things — substance abuse disorders, gambling online, gaming, they become issues of isolation anyhow. I’ve seen the pandemic be a trigger for a spiraling down.”
Dr. Lawrence Weinstein chief medical officer at American Addiction Centers in St. Petersburg, Florida explained that process addictions are behaviors that activate the brain’s reward center in the way that certain substances do. “Taking part in this particular behavior will increase the level of dopamine in the brain, and the pleasure obtained from this behavior reinforces that the person will engage in the behavior again in the future,” adding, “Disorders involving feeding, eating, shopping, and exercising are all examples of process addictions.”
The National Council on Problem Gambling warned people back in April that those with gambling issues may be affected more severely by the pandemic due to increased individual health risks, shifting gambling preferences, and cuts in funding for services.
Weinstein said, “In both instances, social isolation as a result of social distancing, financial and economic worries, difficulties with employment, and other stressors may cause people to initiate online gaming/gambling as a stress reliever or exacerbate existing problematic behavior,” Weinstein continued, “The circumstances of being housebound with a limited amount of activities available are almost ripe for online gaming because of the ability to maintain enjoyable and social communication.” Online gaming was even encouraged in the early stages of the pandemic.
