The National Council on Problem Gambling, or NCPG, reports that 85 percent of the adult population in the United States gambles at least once. Among those who do gamble, four to six million experience problems related to gambling behavior and another two million meet criteria established to define pathological gamblers. A gambling addiction is a serious problem that can affect you, your family and society.
Identification
Any time you place money or something of value at risk in a game or process of skill or chance, in anticipation of winning more than you risk, you are gambling. For most people, gambling is an occasional form of entertainment. For others, however, this behavior can lead to an addiction. The NCPG identifies this condition as any gambling behavior that persists despite disruption or damage to personal, family or career pursuits.
Types
There are two types of gambling addictions. The first type, action gambling, applies if your gambling addiction relates to the thrill or risk involved in gambling. Action gamblers are usually men who prefer "skill" gambling, which can include card games, dice games, and betting on races and sports. The second type, escape gambling, applies if your addiction starts as a way to avoid facing problems in your life. Escape gamblers can be men or women who prefer slot machines, lottery tickets, bingo or video poker.
Symptoms
Gambling addictions usually worsen over time. The NCPG defines symptoms that include an increasing preoccupation with gambling, placing increasingly higher bets, and increasingly restless or irritable behavior when these people try to stop gambling. In addition, gambling addicts will "chase losses," by repeatedly returning to win back or avenge gambling losses. Other symptoms can include lying; frequent requests to borrow money from family, friends and co-workers; and changes in work habits that include being late for work, leaving work early or becoming less productive.
Effects
The effects of gambling addiction can be profound, long lasting and far-reaching. Personal effects can include withdrawal from family and friends, job loss, bankruptcy and legal problems--even jail time. Other serious effects can include the development of other addictions, such drugs or alcohol, and suicide. The gambler's families can experience increased stress from mounting gambling debts, frequent calls from bill collectors, and physical and emotional abandonment.
Treatment
Three main approaches exist for treating a gambling addiction, according to MayoClinic.com: cognitive behavior therapy, medication and self-help groups. Cognitive behavior therapy is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on thought replacement. It helps gamblers identify unhealthy or negative beliefs and replace them with a healthy, positive belief system. Medications can include antidepressants and mood stabilizers to treat emotional issues that lead to a gambling addiction, and the narcotic antagonist, Naltrexone. Naltrexone is a drug that works to depress the central nervous system and appears useful in controlling the urge to gamble. Self-help groups and group therapy allow gamblers to get advice and support from others experiencing the same problems.
