Comedian Lee Jin-ho (38) confessed to his past involvement in illegal online gambling. On the 14th, he posted a long message on his Instagram, stating, “I am sorry. I am writing this to confess my shameful past that resulted from my wrong judgment.” He revealed that in 2020, he started playing games on an illegal online gambling site by chance and accumulated overwhelming debts. Despite belatedly realizing the severity of his situation and quitting gambling, he had already received financial assistance from many people. Lee Jin-ho expressed his determination to repay the debt on his own until the end of his life and promised to accept a thorough police investigation to face the consequences of his mistake.
Compulsive gambling disorder is diagnosed according to the DSM-5 criteria by the American Psychiatric Association, requiring meeting at least four out of the nine listed criteria, including obsession with making money through gambling, developing a tolerance to increasing bets, experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not gambling, unsuccessful attempts to stop, functional impairment in daily life, financial debts, engaging in gambling as a means to escape guilt and anxiety, chasing losses to recover, and lying.
The reasons for falling into gambling addiction stem from uncertainty and intermittent rewards. Even a simple lunchtime bet on a game of ladder climbing can provide a thrill due to the unpredictability of the outcome. Furthermore, the prospect of winning hundreds or thousands of dollars in a gamble can stimulate the brain’s reward system significantly, making it challenging to give up the pursuit of such rewards.
Certain personality traits are susceptible to gambling addiction, such as a strong inclination towards seeking stimulation and a tendency to succumb to stress or anxiety easily. Individuals with these characteristics should be cautious as they are more prone to getting involved in gambling activities. However, not all individuals with these traits will develop gambling addiction.
Treating gambling addiction through medication alone is difficult. Continuous efforts to manage daily life and implement cognitive-behavioral therapy to change thoughts and behaviors are crucial. Considering adjunctive medication therapy, managing co-occurring disorders like ADHD or depression, and involving supportive individuals in the recovery process are essential. There is no complete cure for gambling addiction; the goal of treatment is to restore a disrupted daily life and maintain abstinence from gambling. Understanding that gambling addiction is a treatable condition and seeking help from healthcare facilities or counseling centers is crucial for recovery.