Sara Meca: how gambling addiction works

We talked to Sara Meca, expert in gambling addiction and behavioral addictions.

Beyond drug addictions, there are other disorders linked to dependence on the consumption of a certain product or service. This is the case of gambling addiction, also known as pathological gambling.a problem that is reaching more and more people thanks to the popularization of online gambling houses.

To learn more about this psychological disorder, we interviewed Sara Meca, a psychologist with many years of experience working in the prevention and rehabilitation of addictions.

When gambling becomes a problem: interview with Sara Meca.

Sara Meca Zapatero is a psychologist specialized in the clinical field, expert in Gambling Addiction and other Behavioral Addictions, and Director of the Psychological Clinic G.SINadiccioneslocated in Valencia. As an expert in disorders related to addiction, in this interview she talks to us about how pathological gambling changes lives and expresses itself in the daily lives of those who suffer from gambling addiction.

What are the first warning signs that the family and close environment of a person with pathological gambling detects about his or her behavior?

A pathological gambler has lost control and is obsessed with gambling, his life revolves around gambling. We can observe an increase in economic spending by borrowing money from friends, family or banks to pay off debts. There is also increased isolation in order to cover up the gambling behavior.

In addition, symptoms of anxiety, nervousness, insomnia and headaches are very characteristic. In some cases the consumption of alcohol or other intoxicants may increase.

Pathological gambling is a real health problem and seriously affects the main areas of life, as we can see in the family relationship, conflicts with the partner or deterioration in the relationship with children.

Does someone with typical symptoms of pathological gambling realize much later than their friends and family that something is wrong? What kinds of things usually make them realize that there is a problem?

There comes a phase of hopelessness in which the pathological gambler sees no meaning to his life, the debt is increasing, and in this situation the risk of seeking illegal loans, scams or even committing crime increases.

Desperation is increasing, the pathological gambler realizes that he has a problem with gambling when he tries to quit and is unable to, and it is then that he reflects on why he has lost control.

What would you say is the main difference between pathological gambling and chemical addictions based on substance use?

Pathological gambling disorder is currently included in the same diagnostic category as drug addictions. Pathological gambling is considered as an addictive disorder, since "the clinical symptoms of gambling disorders are similar to those of drug disorders", justification given by the American Psychiatric Association.

From your point of view as an expert in addictions, what is the main challenge in helping the rehabilitation of a person experiencing pathological gambling?

Gambling addiction is a psychological problem that can become a serious mental disorder, that is our challenge. The goal we have every day with patients suffering from gambling addiction is to replace the addictive behavior with new behavioral patterns. In addition, we work with our patients so that they end the treatment with a new lifestyle and good functioning.

How does psychotherapy usually develop in these cases?

At G.SINadicciones Psychology Clinic we offer an individualized and specialized service for gambling addiction. Pathological gambling causes a series of psychological and social problems that can only be solved with a specialized intervention.

As in any other addiction, the treatment must meet a series of fundamental objectives, which are organized along four stages of treatment, and in each of them different techniques are trained.

Is it common for psychotherapy to be carried out at the same time as the person receives treatment through psychotropic drugs prescribed by doctors?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the orientation that presents the highest rates of success, pharmacotherapy is a complement when patients have a depressed mood or a high level of impulsivity.

In terms of how patients' recovery occurs, at what point can it be said that the worst part of the addiction is over?

When the addictive behavior has been reduced and the withdrawal syndrome has been overcome. Addiction is considered to have been overcome when it is certain that gambling will not be resumed and there is no desire to do so.