Thinking Errors and Irrational Thinking When It Comes to Disordered Gambling

When someone has become addicted to gambling, there are actual changes in the brain. We can even say there is damage done to the brain, because it changes how the brain functions. This happens in any addiction. The brain starts producing more of the “feel-good” neurotransmitter dopamine based on the stimulant – in this case, gambling – and then craving more gambling as a result.

There are many side-effects of gambling addiction, and one of them is thinking errors or irrational thinking patterns. This comes as a cause and effect, in that as the person suffering from addiction begins to rely on gambling to feel good, his or her brain will do anything it can to rationalize and seek out continued gambling. Thinking errors can be done either consciously or unconsciously. These thinking errors allow problem gamblers to rationalize and justify their need for gambling – even if it hurts them or someone else. If this sounds familiar, defining and identifying these thinking errors can help put you back in control and reduce further damage.

Change your thinking to dealing with life today, instead of running from it. This will make tomorrow easier to deal with.

Here are some thinking errors. While reading them, notice which ones you may be using to get what you want:

• Anger is used to gain power over other people and situations, even if they are not angry with you. For example, “I am sick and tired of your riding me about my gambling, you better shut up right now!”
  
  
• Power Plays are used when you are not getting your way. These may show up as intimidating or walking out on the other person.
  
  
• Blaming is when you change the focus of the discussion or argument towards someone else in a negative way, such as: “I wouldn’t continue to gamble if my life weren’t so stressful – and that includes you!”
  
  
• Lack of Empathy is when you only think of yourself and not how your actions might affect others. Thoughts like “Why should he/she be mad? I am the one who has to get this money back, not them!” show a lack of empathy.
  
  
• “I Can’t.” When you say “I can’t,” it really means “I won’t.” It’s a defense mechanism used to remove your responsibility for your actions. For example, “I can’t remember how much I lost last night.”
  
  
• Lying by Omission is when you only tell part of the truth. An example would be: “I stopped at the casino on my way home but for my friend…not for me.”
  
  
• Lying by Commission is a total lie. For instance, saying “I did not gamble today” when you did.
  
  
• Lying by Assent is agreeing with someone just to “get them off your back.” For example, “You are right; I do need to stop gambling.”
  
  
• Entitlement is when you tell yourself you “deserve” something. For example, “I deserve to stop at the bar after work to have a drink and gamble a little to relax after work.”
  
  
• Minimizing is used to get the other person to think that the situation isn’t that bad. For example, “I only gambled one time this week and only spent $50.”
  
  
• Drama/Excitement is used when the problem gambler causes an argument in order to have an excuse to go gamble. For example, “I don’t know what you expect me to do around here. I am sick of staying home and arguing with you.”
  
  
• Shut Down is a mechanism to quit caring about the other party and give up, so you can go gamble. Something like: “Who cares! He/she is not going to believe that I didn’t gamble, so I might as well.”
  
  
• Vagueness is characterized by creating confusion and being unclear to the point the other person gives up, so you don’t have to take responsibility for your actions. For instance, responding to a question about gambling cravings with something like: “What are these withdrawals for? I just had to get some tools, food, and stuff.”
  
  
• Thinking You Are Special is a phenomenon where you don’t think the rules apply to you. This is characterized by thoughts like: “I don’t have a problem like those others, I can quit when I want to.”
  
  
• Rationalization is the thought process that attempts to provide some other reason for the behavior, such as “I just stopped by the casino for a few beers with my buddies.”
  
  
• Justification is when you come up with any reason to make it alright to gamble even when you know it’s not. A justification excuse might sound something like: “It was a VERY stressful day at work and I needed to relax before I came home.”

Here are a few irrational thoughts most used by gamblers or anyone who is out of control with a specific behavior. Do any of them sound familiar?

• “I can control my gambling,”
• “If I borrow this money, I will pay it back before anyone notices that it is gone.”
• “I can win it back – I am due for a jackpot.”
• “A big win will fix all my problems.”
• “I can quit whenever I want.”
• “Committing suicide would be a good answer for my family, and the insurance money will take care of my gambling debt.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, contact the Suicide Hotline by dialing 988 or by chat at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/. Once addicted to gambling, it may seem impossible to stop. Especially after all the lies and cover-ups, the shame can be almost unbearable – but we’re raising awareness that recovery IS possible (check out some recovery stories here). It’s NEVER too late (or too early) to reach out! Help and hope for problem gambling are available 24/7 through the Confidential and Multilingual 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine. Call, text, or open a live chat today to get started on your route to recovery.

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM)

Did you know that every March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM)? This year, the FCCG’s PGAM theme is Shine the Light on Problem Gambling: 888-ADMIT-IT Reveals the Route to Recovery. Learn more about the campaign here, and play our new game to challenge your knowledge!

In Florida, revealing the route to recovery from problem gambling – for gamblers and loved ones – starts with contacting the 24/7, Confidential, and Multilingual 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine. Even if you’re not directly impacted, we could use your help to spread the word that help and hope are available during PGAM!

Did You Know? Gambling Disorder Screening Day is March 11, 2025

Screening Day is an annual, one-day event intended to educate and support providers in screening for Gambling Disorder. Screening helps to identify individuals who should seek further assessment for potential gambling-related problems. It does not provide a diagnosis. Each year, this event takes place on the second Tuesday in March during Problem Gambling Awareness Month. Learn more.