External Triggers Causing Gambling Urges

By Robert Meddaugh, MS, MFT, CPGC-NV

The November blog introduced the concept of triggers which are defined as the primary cues, prompts, or signals causing a gambler to go and gamble or an alcoholic to seek alcohol. Triggers can come from any number of events, objects, or people. Internal Triggers were described as Emotions or Feelings and Negative Thinking.

This December Blog will discuss External Triggers that are characterized as People, Places, Things, and Points in Time. When someone with a gambling addiction encounters an external trigger, his or her thought process becomes focused on wanting to gamble and in most cases the gambler has a craving to place bets. This blog will expand on External Triggers reflected in the examples below:

PEOPLE: There are varieties of people who can act as a trigger for someone with a gambling addiction (or any other addiction). The obvious example would be so called ‘friends’ (more accurately described as ‘gambling associates’).  The list of people who are triggers for individuals with a gambling addiction can include, ex-spouses, work supervisors or managers, the clerk at the convenience store who sells lotto tickets, the cocktail server at the casinos, or the cage cashier at the casino. The list can go on, as these triggers are as varied as are the different individuals with a gambling addiction.

PLACES: Of course, casinos are at the beginning of the list. As mentioned about the clerk in the convenience store, the convenience store itself is a trigger. Banks or ATM machines are also a trigger in this category (more on that within the category of ‘Things’). Other ‘places’ include sports bars, racetracks or payday loan offices. As with the category of ‘People’, many other locations are specific to different individuals.

THINGS: This category contains one ‘thing’ that is pervasive in all addictions, and that ‘Thing’ is cash! Cash is a trigger not just for individuals with a gambling addiction, but also alcoholics, heroin addicts and methamphetamine addicts. The category of ‘Things’ can also include songs/ music or different sounds. For example, the sound of playing cards being shuffled or the sound of a roulette wheel. Particular smells, scents, or fragrances can be powerful triggers for many individuals. (Many people have commented that the Strip casinos in Las Vegas all seem to have a similar fragrance or scent about them that is noticeable upon entering.)

POINTS IN TIME: This category can include specific days and times, or events. For example, Friday evening or Saturday night might be a trigger for someone. However, a repetitive event like paydays might be a trigger for another person. Many gamblers will engage in gambling behaviors if they experience ‘positive events’ (weddings or holidays) as well as negative events (funerals). Craving can occur for any addiction from either ‘positive events’ or ‘negative events’.

In summary, persons with addictions should identify what types of external triggers increase the urge to engage in excessive gambling or use of substances. We cannot adequately avoid addictive behavior unless we know our triggers.  Though we believe we have identified all of the triggers, one may suddenly show up!  We have to sort which triggers are avoidable, or if not avoidable, how best we can minimize the impact.  But that is a subject for another blog.

We hope you find your holidays enjoyable, and your triggers manageable.

Feel free to call Peopleworks if you need support during this holiday time, or at any time.