Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is generally characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. If you want to learn more about symptoms, types, potential causations, and available treatments, you will find it all here.
You can live a full and thriving life with ADHD, enjoying all sorts of activities and endeavors. You can be an elite athlete, an artisan, teacher, physician, lawyer, and highly successful entrepreneur. Some of the world’s greatest achievers with ADHD include Richard Branson, Bill Gates and Walt Disney. But there is one person you cannot be when you have ADHD; a gambler.
Together, ADHD and gambling are a recipe for a mental and behavioral health disaster that can have a debilitating impact on your life. If you (or a loved one) has ADHD and has started gambling, it’s time to hit the brakes. Please keep reading.
Why Someone with ADHD Should Avoid Gambling in All of its Forms
Proven Link Between ADHD and Gambling Disorder
One of the primary symptoms of ADHD is impulsivity. From a behavioral perspective, impulsivity is characterized by a number of actions that are inappropriate or even dangerous to a given situation. Those without impulse control tend to act quickly with no thought to consequences. It should therefore come as no surprise that ADHD and gambling are intrinsically linked. Lack of impulse control certainly sets the table for trouble when it comes to casino gaming and sports betting. Although, there is more behind the problem than a symptom (impulsivity) opening the gateway for a potentially harmful activity.
One study of pathological gamblers found that 43% had suffered ADHD as a child, with 11% of them having adult ADHD. Another study of more than 7400 individuals found that prevalence of those at-risk of problem gambling was more than double for people with ADHD, versus the general population. Meanwhile, the rate of gambling disorder was four times greater in the ADHD group. These are just samples among numerous studies regarding ADHD and gambling that offer the same relative conclusions.
Can Elevate Symptoms of ADHD
In addition to inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, symptoms of ADHD in young and older adults include the following:
- Anger and irritability
- Carelessness
- Forgetfulness
- Impatience
- Poor organization skills
- Risk taking
While all of these may also indirectly manifest in someone with gambling disorder, the bookending symptoms listed above are a primary cause of concern. For one, anger and irritability are symptoms of problem gambling that can have a ruinous impact on one’s life via compromised relationships and employment and may even lead to criminal issues. View more on Gambling Anger and Irritability. Meanwhile, risk taking behavior can directly lead to all sorts of bad decisions that may jeopardize the health and safety of yourself and others, be it unsafe sex, high-speed driving, or recreational drug use.
It can distressing enough to live with the symptoms of ADHD, so you should not participate in activities that allow them to amplify. Steer clear of casino gaming and sports betting.
Cooccurring Cocktail of Other Mental Health Concerns
On their own and together, ADHD and problem gambling cooccur with other mental and behavioral health disorders. These include the following:
- Major depressive disorder
- Mild to moderate depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Anxiety disorder
- Social phobia
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Substance abuse disorder
- Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Although ADHD or gambling disorder doesn’t cause other psychological or developmental problems, the fact that other disorders often occur along with ADHD and gambling disorder makes treatment significantly more challenging.
ADHD Medications Linked to Gambling Addiction
If everything above weren’t enough, please note that the very same prescription (or otherwise) medications that you may be taking to manage symptoms of ADHD could increase your risk of problem gambling. Prescribed stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamines have been linked to an increased risk of disordered gambling behaviors. These relationships are complicated by the fact that ADHD and gambling disorder are often comorbid (as addressed above) making a clear understanding of causal relationships difficult. View more on Medications that Make you Gamble.
Kindbridge Behavioral Health is America’s leading online support platform for problem gambling and cooccurring disorders such as ADHD. Our specialists can provide you (or a loved one) with a customized treatment plan that other counseling services are not equipped to offer. If you have ADHD and are concerned about your relationship with gambling, reach out via the contacts provided below.
Let’s Talk About Your Relationship with Gambling
CALL +1 (877) 426-4258
OR
Email [email protected]
