Problem Gambling and Gambling Problems Come in Varying Degrees of Intensity and May Worsen

Problem gambling, also known as compulsive gambling, is recognized as a disease or sickness. But not all people who have a that problem would be diagnosed as being compulsive gamblers. As with any behavior, the degree or severity of the behavior determines the clinical classification.

Therapists use different scales to assess a gambling behavior and base the therapy according to the assessment. Most therapists use DSM-IV or the South Oaks Gambling Screen for diagnosis.

Just having compulsive or pathological gambling recognized as a treatable disease was a major accomplishment for the therapists who treat those problems. For many years gambling was looked upon as a character flaw or weakness, but not a true disease. Now that it has been accepted that out of control gambling is a disease that may be treated effective methods are emerging.

One point that almost all clinicians agree on is that the best way to effectively treat the problem is to stop the gambling immediately. Some clinical studies have indicated that neuro transmitter deficiencies may be a cause of the problem and drug therapies are being tested while other forms of behavioral therapy, such as support groups and guided mediation or hypnosis are also showing some success.

If you are wondering if you or someone you know has a gambling problem, here is a checklist

that is used by clinicians to assess for pathological gambling …

“As defined by the American Psychiatric Association, pathological gambling is an impulse control disorder that is a chronic and progressive mental illness.

Pathological gambling is now defined as persistent and recurrent maladaptive behavior meeting at least five of the following criteria, as long as these behaviors are not better explained by a manic episode:

1.Preoccupation. The subject has frequent thoughts about gambling experiences, whether past, future, or fantasy.

2. Tolerance. As with drug tolerance, the subject requires larger or more frequent wagers to experience the same “rush”.

3. Withdrawal. Restlessness or irritability associated with attempts to cease or reduce gambling.
4. Escape. The subject gambles to improve mood or escape problems.

5. Chasing. The subject tries to win back gambling losses with more gambling.

6. Lying. The subject tries to hide the extent of his or her gambling by lying to family, friends, or therapists.

7. Stealing in order to feed their gambling addiction.

8. Loss of control. The person has unsuccessfully attempted to reduce gambling.

9. Illegal acts. The person has broken the law in order to obtain gambling money or recover gambling losses. This may include acts of theft, embezzlement, fraud, forgery, or bad checks.

10. Risked significant relationship. The person gambles despite risking or losing a relationship, job, or other significant opportunity.

11. Bailout. The person turns to family, friends, or another third party for financial assistance as a result of gambling. “

(from wikipedia at Compulsive Gambling Pathological Gambling)

My own experience as a therapist has led me to believe that number 4. on the list hardly
qualifies as a gambling problem or an indication of a gambling problem since most people who
gamble recreationally do gamble to escape and have fun. On the other hand, the list is a good
place to start if you have concerns. Another suggestion is that you sit in on a meeting of
Gambler’s Anonymous and seek professional counseling. The sooner you address a
suspected gambling problem the sooner you can get it under control and stop the progression
of the illness.

 

 

Dietmar Hamann – My Gambling Problems – 15th Feb 2012 – Former Liverpool, Manchester City and Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann has revealed the gambling problems he suffered towards the end of his career. Hamann, 38, began gambling following the breakdown of his marriage. “There was a time when I was on my own when I got into spread betting. A painful and expensive experience,” he said. “You have to look in the mirror and say ‘Can you carry on like this or this is way you want to carry on?'” He added: “There was one night which cost me over £200000 and that was obviously a long and painful night. “You’ve got face up to it and when you wake up the next morning you look in the mirror and don’t like what you see.” The former Germany international moved to England in 1998 with Newcastle, but left after just one year on Tyneside to join Liverpool for £8m. He spent seven years at Anfield winning two FA Cups, two League Cups, the Uefa Cup and came on as a half-time substitute as the Reds turned around a 3-0 deficit at the break to beat AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final . During his time on Merseyside he reached the 2002 World Cup final with Germany and scored the last goal at the old Wembley as they beat England 1-0 . After being released by Liverpool, Hamann spent three years at Manchester City and finished his playing days during his the stint as player-coach at MK Dons , before he moved to Leicester City as first-team coach. Hamann’s last job in football was as manager at Blue Square Bet Premier side Stockport County …

 

Of all the problems in the world, Maryland is fixated on gambling and pit bulls?

Filed under: gambling problems

Maryland politics is like a badly dubbed movie where actors' mouths move out of sync with the sound. Big debates are happening in the nation about big issues, including what it means to be an American and how to pay for our way of life. President …
Read more on Baltimore Sun

 

Getting tough (again) with gambling

Filed under: gambling problems

Home Ministry: Eight years after gambling was banned, it continues to be one of the most happening activities in the urban centres, and a source of social problems. Now the home ministry is making another attempt to curb it. Home minister Minjur Dorji …
Read more on Kuensel, Buhutan’s National Newspaper