Problem gambling is a behavioral
disorder characterized by a continuation of gambling despite
negative consequences that typically include considerable
financial loss, damaged relationships, emotional or physical
distress, decrease in ambition or productivity, erosion
of moral or spiritual values, and legal difficulties.
Degrees of problem gambling are currently classified along
a spectrum that coincide with the number of problems identified
through the use of certain diagnostic tools: the greater
the number of aberrant behaviors associated with excessive
gambling, the more severe the problem. The most serious
form of problem gambling, compulsive or pathological gambling,
is recognized by the American Psychiatric Association and
listed in the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
of Mental Disorders, fourth edition) as an impulse control
disorder.
Common
symptoms of a gambling problem
Who’s
at risk?
Theories
on causes of problem gambling
Identifying
Problem Gambling in Others
Problem
gambling and other addictive behaviors
Problem
gambling’s impact on others
Problem
gambling’s impact on society
Are
some types of gambling more addictive than others?
Common symptoms of problem
gambling
Unlike illnesses with classic symptoms such as changes in
body temperature, heart rate, organ function efficiency,
etc., physiological symptoms of problem gambling are not
easily measured and may not be present in everyone who has
a gambling problem. Although some problem gamblers may demonstrate
physiological symptoms while gambling – brain imaging
studies have illustrated heightened activity in areas of
the brain associated with pleasure – there has been
controversy over whether pathological gambling should be
classified as an “illness."
No matter how disordered gambling is classified, it is clear
that those with a gambling problem demonstrate common behavioral
or emotional symptoms that inevitably lead to significant
negative consequences. Typical among behaviors of those
who have a gambling problem:
A preoccupation
with gambling
Overwhelming
urges to gamble
Loss of
control of time or money spent on gambling
Gambling
as a way to relieve uncomfortable feelings
Repeated,
unsuccessful attempts to stop gambling
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Who's at risk?
Anyone can be at risk for a gambling problem. Males or females,
young or old, and people of any race, culture or religion
are all susceptible to developing a gambling problem. However,
certain populations may be more at-risk than others, including
adolescents and college-age people, senior citizens, those
with other psychiatric disorders, those who have been incarcerated
in prison, those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds,
and those whose parents had a gambling problem or who had
a history of alcohol or other-drug dependency.
Current research indicates that more than 90% of the general
population has gambled at least once in their lifetime.
Roughly 6% of those who have ever gambled have experienced
at least one significant consequence due to gambling. Past-year
estimates indicate that 2–4 percent of the general
population, or about 4–8 million Americans, have a
gambling problem.
To determine whether or not you have a gambling problem,
take the Forman
Problem Gambling Indicator (FPGI) quiz.
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Theories on causes of problem
gambling
To this day, scientific research has not yielded with precision
the cause or causes of problem gambling. Human behavior
is complex. Given situations in which many people are presented
opportunities to gamble, it is currently impossible to predict
with certainty who, if anyone, is at risk for developing
a gambling disorder. It is possible that once the mysteries
of the human genome are unraveled, a link will be established
between problem gambling and certain genetic code.
For now, professionals in the field can only theorize as
to causes of problem gambling, which include:
Its use
to medicate unpleasant feelings, including sadness, anxiety,
helplessness
or irritability
Its
use to cope with, or escape from, another significant life
problem
Its use
to cope with past psychological or physical trauma
Subconscious
self-punishment for past transgression
Genetic
predisposition
Chemical
imbalance in the brain
Acquired
belief that gambling odds can be beaten
Any combination
of the above
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Identifying problem gambling
in others
Problem gambling has been called the “Hidden Addiction.”
Unlike alcohol or other substance abuse, problem gambling
has no easily recognizable signs. A person under the influence
of problem gambling usually does not exhibit impaired mobility,
slurred speech, red eyes or dilated pupils. Gambling cannot
be smelled upon one’s breath. However, there are signs
that may be indicative of a gambling problem:
Excessive
talk about gambling
Frequent
trips to gambling facilities (including casinos, racetracks,
and establishments
that sell lottery
tickets)
Encouraging
or challenging other people to gamble
Organizing
the office betting pool
Vacationing
only in destinations where gambling is available
Possessing
gambling paraphernalia such as racing programs or lottery
tickets
Visiting
gambling web sites, or spending excessive amounts of time
on the Internet
Less certain signs:
Borrowing
money or being in inexplicable financial hardship
Spending
inordinate time reading the newspaper sports section or
becoming overly
caught up in televised sporting events
Carrying
large amounts of cash
Claiming
to be able to predict with certainty the outcome of a future
event
(Note: The above is not a diagnostic screening tool and
should not be used as such. However, exhibiting many of
these behaviors could be indicative of a gambling problem.)
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Problem gambling and other
addictive behaviors
Problem gambling differs from other addictive behaviors
in that there is no substance ingested and few telltale
signs. However, there are behaviors common to both problem
gambling and substance dependency:
Preoccupation
with the activity
Intense
cravings
Tolerance:
needing more and more (money) over time to achieve the desired
effect
Loss of
control/inability to stop
Continued
use in spite of negative consequences to self or others
Surveys indicate that about half of all pathological gamblers
have been, dependent on alcohol or other drugs. Conversely,
a significant percentage of those who have experienced substance
dependency have had a gambling problem.
Anecdotally, those who overeat, are preoccupied by or engage
excessively in sex, shop compulsively, or work excessively
may also share many of the above addictive behaviors.
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Problem gambling's impact
on others
Although problem gambling is considered a self-destructive
behavior, it often impacts those closest to the gambler.
Spouses, significant others, family members, relatives,
friends, co-workers and others in the gamblers life may
be at-risk for experiencing financial, emotional and even
physical harm as a result of the gambler's financial losses.
For help for those who have been impacted by someone else's
gambling, click on the Resources
section.
To explore whether someone you know may have a gambling
problem, see Signs of Problem Gambling.
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Problem gambling's impact
on society
Legalized gambling can provide individuals (who do not have
a gambling problem) and communities with harmless fun and
entertainment, more jobs, and additional revenue to state
treasuries. However, problem gambling can negatively impact
not only individuals, but society as a whole. Conservative
estimates have shown that in 1998, problem gambling cost
the United States $5 billion in increased health care costs
and social services. The figure is likely much higher today.
Problem gambling has also been associated with a decline
in productivity in the workplace and a rise in the number
of blue and white-collar crimes. Many gambling-related crimes
go unreported, or may surface after the fact. While there
is no conclusive evidence available at this time, problem
gambling has been linked to an increase in bankruptcy, divorce,
recreational drug use and prostitution. There are documented
cases of individuals who have committed suicide after incurring
large gambling losses.
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Are some types of gambling
more addictive than others?
Forman Consulting’s view is that it is the person’s
relationship to gambling – and not the game –
that lies at the root of a gambling problem. However, according
to those who have sought help for problem gambling, those
games that offer relatively instant winnings, such as scratch
tickets (cards), slot machines and VLT’s (Video Lottery
Terminals), casino table games, racetrack betting, and certain
Internet games, carry a greater risk for addiction. The
vast majority of people experience no significant harm from
having wagered on games with instant win/loss results.
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For help on problem gambling and other addictive behaviors
click on Resources.
