Steps2Rehab - Addictions - Gambling
Gambling, like any behaviour that alters our brain chemistry (affecting our behaviour and thought processes), can become psychologically addictive. Individuals participate in gambling as a form of recreation, and sometimes as a means to gain an income. This behaviour, however, can often become harmful.
Problem gambling (ludomania) is an urge to gamble, despite harmful negative consequences. Problem gambling is often defined by whether harm is experienced by the gambler or others, rather than by the actual gambling behaviour. Severe problem gambling may be diagnosed as clinical pathological gambling if the gambler meets a certain criteria.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) has defined pathological gambling as persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behaviour and has laid out a number of criteria that aid diagnosis. The DSM-IV definition of pathological gambling is widely accepted and internationally used as a basis for research and clinical practice.
Below are the criteria, as defined by the DSM-IV. It is thought that pathological gamblers adhere to at least 5 of these criteria.
- Preoccupation - frequent thoughts about gambling, whether past, future or fantasy are experienced
- Tolerance - as with drug tolerance, larger or more frequent wagers are required to experience the same ‘rush’
- Withdrawal - restlessness or irritability associated with attempts to cease or reduce gambling
- Escape - gambling is indulged in to improve mood or escape problems
- Chasing - gambling losses are attempted to be won back through more gambling
- Lying - the extents of gambling behaviours are hidden from family and friends by lying
- Stealing - in order to continue a gambling addiction
- Loss of Control - attempts to reduce gambling are unsuccessful
- Illegal acts - these includes acts of theft, embezzlement, fraud and forgery, in order to obtain gambling money or recovery gambling losses
- Risked significant relationship - gambling continues despite risking or losing a relationship, job, or other significant opportunity
- Bailout - family, friends or another third party are turned to for financial assistance as a result of gambling
A study by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, the ‘British Gambling Prevalence Survey 2007’, found that approximately 0.6% of the adult population had problem gambling issues, suggesting that hundreds of thousands of people suffer from varying issues directly associated with gambling.
Gambling addictions can be treated in an appropriate rehab setting. Numerous in-patient treatment clinics offer programmes that can help individuals develop the psychological strategies and tools to permanently stop gambling. This type of professional help not only allows the individual to recover, but also gives them the strength to address any financial or mental issues they may have encountered due to their gambling addiction.
