According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR), compulsive gamblers have experienced at least five of the following signs and symptoms:
- a preoccupation with gambling (for example, reliving past gambling victories, planning the next opportunity to gamble, or thinking of ways to obtain money with which to gamble)
- a need to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement
- failed attempts to control, cut back, or stop gambling
- restlessness or irritability when attempting to cut down or stop gambling
- gambling to forget about problems or to relieve unpleasant emotions (such as guilt, anxiety, and depression)
- a return for another day of gambling in attempts to recoup previous losses
- lying to others about the extent of their involvement with gambling
- committing illegal acts to finance gambling
- jeopardizing or losing relationships, jobs, educational opportunities, or career opportunities because of gambling
- relying on others to provide money to help them out of a desperate financial situation caused by gambling
Possible Causes of Pathological Gambling
Certain personality types seem to be more prone to developing gambling addictions. Many tend to be highly competitive, energetic, and restless. Thrill seekers and extroverts may be more prone to develop an addiction to gambling. Those who become addicted tend to seek action, arousal, and euphoria even more than the money. As the addiction progresses, gamblers often need to increase the amount of money they wager or take riskier bets to achieve the same level of arousal.
Many experts agree that pathological gambling is an addiction because of the rush they feel when they gamble. Gambling addicts feel unable to resist, even though they know they cannot afford to lose. The hormone norepinephrine, which is released as a stress response, has been linked to the arousal and risk-taking in habitual gamblers. The brain's reward system releases dopamine, which may also compel gamblers to continue their pleasure-seeking activities.
Irrational thought processes also increase risks for compulsive gamblers. For example, superstitions, overconfidence, and over-estimations of the odds of winning often worsen the gamblers' problems.
Risks Associated with Pathological Gambling
Financial problems are the most obvious risks that compulsive gamblers face. Pathological gamblers are also at higher risks of suicide and suicide attempts.
Problem gamblers are also prone to developing medical conditions often associated with stress, including high blood pressure, ulcers, and migraine headaches.
Help for Those Suffering from Gambling Addictions
Admitting that one is a compulsive gambler is the first step to recovery. Many pathological gamblers have benefited from Gamblers Anonymous. Many find the support of the fellowship and the 12 steps of the Gamblers Anonymous program are essential in their abilities to abstain from gambling.
Physicians may choose to prescribe medications to treat depression, anxiety, and physical problems that often accompany gambling problems. Physicians may also recommend psychotherapy to their patients who seek help for compulsive gambling.
Individual and group psychotherapy are often beneficial for pathological gamblers. In therapy, those recovering from a gambling addiction can identify the irrational thoughts that exacerbated their gambling problems and replace them with thoughts that will aid them in their abilities to abstain from gambling. Therapists can also help their clients improve their abilities to resolve or cope with some of the additional problems their gambling caused.
Sources:
American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed., text revision). Arlington, VA: Author
FamilyDoctor.org Editorial Staff. (2009). Gambling: When is it a problem. Leawood, KS: American Academy of Family Physicians.
Gamblers Anonymous. (n.d.). Questions and answers. Los Angeles, CA: Author.
Maxmen, J. S., & Ward, N. G. (1995). Essential psychopathology and its treatment (2nd ed.). New York: Norton & Company.
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2009). Compulsive gambling. Rochester, MN: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
Lorne Cansler - Lorne Cansler is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 11 years of experience in the field of mental health. He has provided ...
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