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When Gambling Becomes a Problem
Casual gamblers enjoy activities such as occasionally visiting casinos and playing the lottery. Their gambling has not become a problem, and they are able to walk away after losing a certain amount of money. Pathological (compulsive) gamblers start out as casual gamblers, but begin to lose control of their desire to gamble. They continue to gamble and lose because the odds of winning are against them. However, to control the pain of losing, they gamble more.
The American Psychiatric Association recognizes pathological gambling as a "disorder of impulse control" and a progressive and chronic illness that can be treated.
Pathological gamblers may experience the following symptoms:
Approximately three percent of adults experience a serious problem with gambling during their lifetime. Typical consequences include significant debt accumulation, marriage and family conflicts, lost employment, substance abuse, criminal behavior and severe depression.
Understanding the Addiction
Psychologists believe that pathological gamblers are addicted to the action of gambling, not to money. Often, problem gamblers also are addicted to drugs and alcohol. Pathological gambling is an addiction that mimics chemical addiction. Both dependencies may include major depression, mood swings, an inability to control the addiction and denial. Though gambling may not be a physical addiction like heroin dependency, the suicide rate of pathological gamblers is much higher than for people addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Perhaps due to their greater emotional immaturity or higher need for instant gratification, adolescents are three times more likely than adults to become problem gamblers. Other research suggests that some pathological gamblers have decreased levels of norepinephrine (the brain chemical released during times of arousal and stress) than casual gamblers. Wagering and gambling activities may help boost these levels of norepinephrine.
Experts have classified the three stages of gambling addiction as:
1. The winning stage - the gambler usually has a big win that produces an unrealistic expectation that his or her good luck will continue.
2. The losing stage - the odds catch up with the gambler and he or she begins to lose. The gambler may brag about past wins, lie to loved ones about his or her habits and borrow money to continue wagering.
3. The desperation stage - the gambler spends more time wagering. Losses mount, and remorse and depression set in. The gambler may blame others and distance himself or herself from family.
As pathological gamblers progress through these phases, they spend less time with loved ones, causing a strain on relationships. They drain financial resources as they spend more money trying to recoup losses and recapture the "high" feeling of winning. Gamblers may be tempted to steal money from family members and employers, pawn valuable possessions and lie to cover up their habits.
Without treatment, a serious problem gambler risks losing everything: his or her family, assets, job and reputation.
Treatment Options
Like alcoholics, problem gamblers must accept that they have a problem and be willing to make a change for treatment to be successful. Treatment may include:
Don't let a gambling problem ruin your life. Take control by seeking professional help and avoiding situations and environments where betting and gambling occurs. Realize that the statistical odds of consistently winning are against you and that you could invest your money and energy more wisely by saving for the future.
Resources