Pathological Gambling Is A Progressive Disease

It devastates not only the gambler but everyone with whom he or she has a significant relationship. , the American Psychiatric Association accepted pathological gambling as a "disorder of impulse control." It is an illness that is chronic and progressive, but it can be diagnosed and treated.

The progression of gambling addiction:

• The winning phase
• The losing phase
• The desperation phase.

During the winning phase, gamblers experience a big win or a series of wins that leaves them with unreasonable optimism that their winning will continue. This leads them to feel great excitement when gambling, and they begin increasing the amounts of their bets. During the losing phase, the gamblers often begin bragging about wins they have had, start gambling alone, think more about gambling and borrow money legally or illegally.

They start lying to family and friends and become more irritable, restless and withdrawn. Their home life becomes more unhappy, and they are unable to pay off debts. The gamblers begin to "chase" their losses, believing they must return as soon as possible to win back their losses. During the desperation phase, there is a marked increase in the time spent gambling. This is accompanied by remorse, blaming others and alienating family and friends. Eventually, the gamblers may engage in illegal acts to finance their gambling. They may experience hopelessness, suicidal thoughts and attempts, arrests, divorce, alcohol and/or other drug abuse, or an emotional breakdown.

Who Is Affected?

Current estimates suggest that three percent of the adult population will experience a serious problem with gambling that will result in significant debt, family disruption, job losses, criminal activity or suicide.

Pathological gambling affects the gamblers, their families, their employers and the community. As the gamblers go through the they spend less time with their family and spend more of their family's money on gambling until their bank accounts are depleted. Then they may steal money from family members.

At work, the pathological gambler misuses time in order to gamble, has difficulty concentrating and finishing projects and may engage in embezzlement, employee theft or other illegal activities.

Is There a relationship between Pathological gambling and substance abuse?

Similarities between gambling and substance abuse include an inability to stop/control the addiction, denial, severe depression, and mood swings. gambling and chemical dependency are both progressive diseases with similar phases. These include "chasing" the first win/high, experiencing blackouts and using the object of addiction to escape pain. Both pathological gamblers and persons addicted to alcohol or drugs are preoccupied with their addiction, experience low self-esteem, use rituals, and seek immediate gratification.

Unlike chemical addiction, pathological gambling is a hidden disease gamblers do not stumble, have needles in their arm, or smell of cards and dice. Pathological gamblers cannot overdose in the conventional sense, but they experience tremendous financial problems that require immediate attention. More resources are available to chemical dependency than gambling addiction, in part because most people do not perceive gambling as potentially addicting.

Are teens gambling?

Research indicates that adolescents are about three times more likely than adults to become problem gamblers.

Problem Gambling Self-Test

Here's a quick test to help you determine whether you or someone you know needs help with a gambling problem:

• Have you often gambled longer than you had planned?
• Have you often gambled until your last dollar was gone?
• Have thoughts of gambling ever caused you to lose sleep?
• Have you used your income or savings to gamble while letting bills go unpaid?
• Have you made repeated, unsuccessful attempts to stop gambling?
• Have you broken the law or considered breaking the law to finance your gambling?
• Have you borrowed money to finance your gambling?
• Have you gambled to get money to meet your financial obligations?
• Have you felt depressed or suicidal because of your gambling losses?
• After losing, do you feel you must try and win back your losses as soon as possible?
• Have you been remorseful after gambling?
• Have you ever stayed away from work, college or school to gamble?
• Have you ever lied to cover up the amount of money or time you spent gambling?
• Have others ever criticized your gambling?
• Do arguments, frustrations or disappointments make you want to gamble?
• Have you lost interest in your family, friends or other activities?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you could have a problem that needs attention.

For more information, please call 864-467-3924 OR 864-467-3790.