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Gambling
Gambling occurs in many forms, most commonly horse and dog tracks, off-track-betting parlors, lotteries, casinos slot machines, table games), sports books and horse books, card rooms, bingo and the stock market.
So, what is the difference between casual
social gambling and pathological gambling?
Social gambling usually occurs with friends, at a party with predetermined and acceptable losses. Gambling ends when the party ends. In contrast, pathological gambling is persistent gambling behavior that is usually marked by escalation, and a pattern that is disruptive of personal, family, and occupational pursuits. Pathological gambling is a progressive disease that affects not only the gambler but family, relationships and the workplace. It is an illness that is chronic and progressive, but it can be diagnosed and treated.
How Do I know if I have a Problem?
Robert L. Custer, M.D., identified three phases in the progression of gambling addiction:
- the winning phase
- the losing phase, and
- the desperation phase
During the winning phase, gamblers experience
- A big win or perhaps a series of wins.
- Report feelings of unreasonable optimism or even euphoria that their winning will continue
- Begin increasing the amounts of their bets
During the losing phase, the gamblers often
- begin bragging about wins they have had,
- start gambling alone, become preoccupied with thoughts and plans of gambling
- start to borrow money ¬ legally or illegally.
- Begin lying to family and friends and become more irritable, restless and withdrawn.
- Personal and family relationships begin to suffer and they are unable to pay off debts.
- Gamblers begin to "chase" their losses, driven by a need to win back their losses.
During the desperation phase, there is a
- marked increase in the time spent gambling.
- Feelings of remorse, blaming others and alienating family and friends begin to torment the addict.
- During this phase, the gamblers may incur significant debt, and/or engage in illegal activity to finance gambling.
- Experience hopelessness, depressed mood, anxiety, problems with the law, divorce, alcohol and/or other drug abuse, and even suicidal thoughts and attempts.
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