Gambling is not something that Utah addiction specialist Dr. Michael Measom sees often. And he suspects one reason is that gamblers don't view it as an addiction, and they tend not to seek treatment.

But it "certainly makes changes in the brain pattern," just like other addictions, says Measom, one of three addiction psychiatrists in Utah and the medical director of the alcohol and drug unit at Valley Mental Health.

Not everyone who gambles is an addict, just as not everyone who drinks is an alcoholic. But gambling can be an addiction. And like any other addiction, it stimulates the reward center in the brain.

Someone who becomes addicted to gambling may have a genetic predisposition to an addictive disorder, just like an alcoholic, who may be more at risk for addiction to alcohol but is also at risk for other addictions, as well.

Mostly, in Utah, he said, where a "white, Mormon culture is not allowed to drink or smoke, etc., they may not view this as the same category, as an addiction," Measom says.

"But like other addictions, gambling can cause problems at home, at work, with avoiding responsibilities; it can create financial problems. And it can generate withdrawal symptoms, with varying levels of severity."

That is, in fact, one of the measures of whether gambling has become an addiction, says Kalm. The difference is not the person or the drug — and for an addict, gambling acts as a drug — but rather the relationship between one drug and one person.

"When someone can have a stable relationship (with gambling), where they maintain full functionality, are physically healthy and have good family, friend and work relationships, they are not in a situation of abuse, dependence or addiction," Kalm says. "But if they are unstable and use more and more or have serious effects from using just a little, it is an abuse-dependent relationship."

In other words, an addiction.

When Measom has been consulted about gambling, the problems generated are typically financial, or involve difficulties with work or in family relationships, he says.

While gambling opportunity is readily available via the Internet, pornography is the more common Internet-generated addiction he sees.

Unlike addictions to drugs or alcohol, which can severely impact a person's behavior, "these people are relatively high functioning and do not suffer consequences until later on. But eventually they get caught up in it."