Compulsive Gambling

Many people enjoy gambling, whether it's betting on a horse or playing poker on the Internet. Most people who gamble don't have a problem, but some lose control of their gambling. Signs of problem gambling include

Always thinking about gambling
Lying about gambling
Spending work or family time gambling
Feeling bad after you gamble, but not quitting
Gambling with money you need for other things

Many people can control their compulsive gambling with medicines and therapy. Support groups can also help.

Compulsive Gambling on Wikipedia

'''Compulsive gambling''' is an urge or addiction to Gambling despite harmful negative consequences or a desire to stop. A preferred term among many professionals is '''problem gambling,''' as few people described by the term experience true compulsions in the clinical sense of the word. Severe problem gambling may be diagnosed as clinical '''pathological gambling''' if the gambler meets certain criteria.

Pathological Gambling

Extreme cases of problem gambling may cross over into the realm of mental disorders. Pathological gambling was recognized as a psychiatric disorder in the DSM-III, but the criteria were significantly reworked based on large-scale studies and statistical methods for the DSM-IV. Pathological gambling is now defined as persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behavior meeting at least five of the following criteria, as long as these behaviors are not better explained by a manic episode: #Preoccupation. The subject has frequent thoughts about gambling experiences, whether past, future, or fantasy. #Tolerance. As with drug tolerance, the subject requires larger or more frequent wagers to experience the same "rush." #Withdrawal. Restlessness or irritability associated with attempts to cease or reduce gambling. #Escape. Subject gambles to improve mood or escape problems. #Chasing. Subject attempts to win back gambling losses with more gambling. #Lying. Subject attempts to hide the extent of his or her gambling by lying to family, friends, or therapists. #Loss of control. Subject has unsuccessfully attempted to reduce gambling. #Illegal acts. Subject has broken the law in order to obtain gambling money or recover gambling losses. #Risked significant relationship. The subject gambles despite risking or losing a relationship, job, or other significant opportunity. #Bailout. Subject turns to family, friends, or another third party for financial assistance as a result of gambling. As with many disorders, ... [ Read More ]

External Resources

Losing Mariposa: The Memoir of a Compulsive Gambler - A cautionary tale of obsession and escape that follows Little's two-year gambling binge.

Is Gambling Controlled? - Self help manual on overcoming compulsive gambling and other compulsive disorders.

Gambling Related Issues - Links provided by the Minnesota Institute of Public Health. Includes "Beyond the Odds", their quarterly newsletter on problem and compulsive gambling.

North American Training Institute Home Page - Specializes in responsible programs for the gaming and wagering industries, professional, accredited training programs, and in senior citizen and adolescent compulsive gambling issues. Includes Wanna Bet? magazine for kids concerned about gambling.

Quit Gambling - Home website for author of "A Way to Quit Gambling" for compulsive gambling addiction problem.

Trimeridian, Inc. - The Custer Gambling Treatment Center provides inpatient and outpatient services for compulsive gamblers and their family members in Las Vegas, Nevada and Indianapolis, Indiana.

Compulsive Gambling Center, Inc. - Providing treatment, education, training, research, and expert testimony on compulsive gambling. Based in Baltimore, Maryland.

Project Turnabout Home Page - Caring professionals who gave them back family members who had been lost to the disease of alcoholism/drug addiction or compulsive gambling in Granite Falls, Minnesota.

Escape from Gambling - Australia-based support group for compulsive gamblers from all over the world.

Compulsive Gambling Center On Recovery Everyday Support Group - A Private support group for compulsive gamblers and family members. Sharing their own experiences to help each other work towards recovering from an insidious disease.

Related Pages on HealthTales.com:

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Compulsive Gambling