Cross Addiction?
It happens when a person recovering from addiction to one substance
transfers those addictive behaviors to something else. For example,
someone in recovery from alcohol abuse might successfully be able to
manage that addiction only to latch onto destructive gambling behaviors.
Cross addiction isn’t triggered by lack of willpower. In fact, it’s a
medical condition with roots in biology. An addicted person’s brain
seeks out compulsive behaviors. In other words, the brain finds a new
drug. And, for some people, that new “drug” is gambling, whether it’s
sports betting or slot machines.
Excessive gambling behaviors can have serious and far-reaching
consequences for the person recovering from addiction and his or her
family:
Problem gambling creates a new set of challenges. Unlike
drug or alcohol abuse, there are few physical signs there’s a problem,
which is why it’s often called the silent addiction. People addicted to
gambling often hide their behavior. For example, a spouse may not
realize the extent of a partner’s betting activities until a foreclosure
notice arrives.
Gambling can trigger a relapse. Gambling tends to be much
more exciting for a recovering person than someone without addictive
behaviors. This kind of high excitement triggers chemical reactions
which feel just like using drugs or alcohol to the brain.
In addition, excessive gambling creates stress. It causes financial
difficulties, relationship problems, and work issues—and those stresses
can sabotage the recovery of an alcohol or drug addicted person. What’s
more, the environment of casinos and wagering facilities often promotes
alcohol use.
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