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the hidden epidemic

For most people, gambling is an activity that is fun and entertaining – one that can be experienced with little or no harmful effects. For others, gambling can be a serious problem that continues even after the fun is gone.

Compulsive or problem gambling is a progressive behavioral disorder in which an individual has a psychological uncontrollable preoccupation and urge to gamble. This results in excessive gambling, the outcome of which is the loss of time, money and self-esteem. The gambling reaches a point at which it compromises, disrupts and ultimately destroys the gambler’s personal life, family relationships, and vocational pursuits. These problems in turn lead to intensification of the gambling behavior. The principle features are emotional dependence on gambling, loss of control and interference with normal functioning.

Just as some people can become addicted to drugs or alcohol; so too it possible for a person to become obsessed with an uncontrollable urge to gamble. The impact of this addiction is much greater than the obvious financial losses that can result from repeated gambling. The long-term result is a steady deterioration of the mental and physical health of both the gambler and his family.

The warning signs

• Losing time from work or school due to gambling

• Repeated failed attempts to stop or control gambling

• Lying about amount of time & money spent on gambling

• Gambling to escape from life’s problems

• Gambling for increased amounts of time and money

• Gambling more money in an attempt to win back losses (chasing)

• Neglecting the care of self or family due to gambling

• Relying on loans and “bailouts” from family or friends to pay debt

• Feelings of helplessness and depression with thoughts of suicide

Information contained above provided by the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling.

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types of gamblers

Action gamblers – By the time they reach their senior years, action gamblers have more than likely been battling a gambling problem for years. Action gamblers prefer games of skill such as poker, black jack, horse and dog racing, and sports betting.

Escape gamblers – Prefer games of luck. Even if they don’t begin gambling until their senior years, escape gamblers are fascinated with slots, video poker, keno machines and bingo. These types of gambling are fun to them. They don’t require a great deal of knowledge or concentration. Playing them allows the person to escape from physical or emotional pain. They can almost be a hypnotic state. It doesn’t matter whether they are winning or losing. In fact, money becomes like play money. What they seek is the opportunity to chase away worries with the push of a button or the pull of an arm.

what is problem or compulsive gambling?

The criteria for diagnosis of compulsive (pathological) gambling are stated in the 1994 Revised IV of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSMIV) of Mental Disorders:

Persistent or recurrent maladaptive gambling behavior as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

1. Preoccupation with gambling (e.g. reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning next gambling episode, or thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble).

2. Need to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement.

3. Repeated unsuccessful attempts to control, cut back, or stop gambling.

4. Restlessness or irritability when attempting to cut down or stop gambling.

5. After losing money gambling, often returns another day in order to get even (chasing one’s losses).

6. Gambles as a way of escaping from problems or relieving feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression.

7. Lies to family members or others to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling.

8. Commits illegal acts such as forgery, fraud, theft, or embezzlement to finance gambling.

9. Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of gambling.

10. Relies on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling.

gamblers anonymous 20 questions

1. Did you ever lose time from work or school due to gambling?

2. Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?

3. Did gambling affect your reputation?

4. Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?

5. Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties?

6. Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?

7. After losing did you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses?

8. After a win did you have a strong urge to return and win more?

9. Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone?

10. Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling?

11. Have you ever sold anything to finance your gambling?

12. Were you reluctant to use “gambling money” for normal expenditures?

13. Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself or family?

14. Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned?

15. Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble?

16. Have you ever committed or considered committing an illegal act to finance your gambling?

17. Did gambling cause you to have difficulty sleeping?

18. Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble?

19. Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling?

20. Have you ever considered self destruction or suicide as a result of your gambling?

Most compulsive gamblers will answer “Yes” to at least seven of these questions. If you think you have a problem with gambling,  get help

Information provided by Gamblers Anonymous  International Service Office, Inc.

responsible gambling guidelines

• If you gamble, do it for entertainment only

• Treat the money you lose as the cost of your entertainment

• Set a dollar limit and stick to it

• Set a time limit and stick to it

• Expect to lose

• Don’t use a credit card to gamble and don’t bet money that should go for more essential needs such as food, rent

• Don’t increase your betting to make up for money you lost

• Don’t gamble as a way to cope with stress, depression or loneliness

• Educate yourself about problem gambling