Gambling

Gambling is defined as playing a game of chance for stakes. Gambling takes many forms, including slot machines and table games at casinos, the lottery and betting on sporting events or races. For some people, the privacy and instant gratification of online gambling may only exacerbate the problem.


Understanding problem gambling
Problem gambling is a general term for any degree of gambling that disrupts a person's well-being, family or job. In the United States, an estimated 15 million people are at risk for problem gambling.
Pathological gambling, a more specific type of gambling, is often referred to as compulsive gambling. It's characterized by:

a continuous or periodic loss of control over gambling
a preoccupation with gambling and obtaining gambling money
irrational thinking
a continuation of gambling behavior despite its negative consequences
Professional gambling involves limited risks and a high level of discipline. Professional gambling may involve problematic gambling behaviors, but it doesn't meet the full criteria for pathological gambling.


Causes/associated factors
Various theories about the possible causes of pathological gambling exist. For example:
The most popular view identifies pathological gambling as an addictive disease similar to alcohol and drug dependence. In fact, the same genetic predisposition that leads a person to alcohol dependence may also lead to problem gambling.

Children may learn gambling behavior from their parents.

For adults, gambling in excess may also be a learned behavior. Occasional wins may only reinforce more gambling -- particularly when there's a significant win during early gambling.

Environmental factors may also play a role. The presence of a gambling facility within 50 miles doubles the likelihood of problem gambling.
Risk factors for problem gambling include:

a family history of alcoholism or pathological gambling
parental neglect or rejection
a family emphasis on status or material possessions
Problem gamblers tend to be perfectionists or highly competitive. They often have low self-esteem and take impulsive risks. They tend to have higher rates of:

attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD, a persistent behavior pattern characterized by inattentiveness, impulsiveness or hyperactivity)
substance abuse or dependence
suicidal thoughts or attempts
personality disorders

The gender connection
An estimated one-third of pathological gamblers are women. However, this can vary considerably in different geographic areas and cultures.
Generally, women are more likely to use gambling as an escape from depression. They tend to play games in which luck is valued more than skill. The progression to problem gambling is often rapid.

Men, on the other hand, tend to play games that require skill. They tend to seek recognition in addition to financial success. As described above, an early big win often triggers interest in further gambling.

Men tend to begin gambling in adolescence, while women often do so when they're older.

When problem gambling escalates, both men and women commonly turn to illegal activities to resolve related financial concerns.


Gambling and adolescents
Children and adolescents may be exposed to gambling through seemingly harmless ways, such as weekly lottery tickets bought by parents or friendly family sports wagers. With the advent of Internet gambling, young gamblers often have easy access to gambling at home. In fact, many kids see gambling as a family affair. After all, gambling is often introduced by a parent or other close adult.
Children and adolescents may gamble for various reasons:

Many gamble on impulse, to take a risk, or in pursuit of action or excitement. They often feel invincible and don't understand the downside of gambling.

Some kids succumb to peer pressure or influence, and others use gambling as a way to gain importance among friends.

Gambling can provide an instant, although temporary, boost of self-confidence -- especially for kids who have low self-esteem.

Some children and adolescents gamble to escape from problems at home, while others see gambling as an easy way to avoid working for an allowance or paycheck.
Adolescents who gamble tend to favor private and unlicensed games, lotteries and casino gambling. They tend to wager less money than adults, but may wager a greater percentage of their income.

Early prevention is vital. Many kids begin gambling well before they consider experimenting with alcohol or drugs.

Be aware of potential warning signs, such as:

Having gambling paraphernalia at home, such as lottery tickets, betting sheets, casino chips and souvenirs from gambling spots.
Frequently asking for money or reporting lost or stolen items in an effort to get money.
Selling prized possessions or personal belongings.
Lying, cheating or stealing with glib explanations.
Carrying large amounts of money or accumulating unexplained debts.
Receiving telephone calls from strangers.
Unexplained absences from school, work or home.
Extreme moodiness and an increase in daydreaming or worrying.
Withdrawal from social groups and activities or hanging out with people you haven't met.
Unusual or zealous interest in the sports or financial section of the newspaper.
Mysterious disappearance of money or valuables, such as jewelry, coins, stamps, cameras.

Gambling and seniors
For older adults, life changes and losses can contribute to a particular vulnerability to gambling. To fill a sense of emptiness or escape unresolved grief, older adults may play cards or frequent casinos or bingo halls. If intimacy has slipped away after years of marriage, gambling can provide a common activity for partners to reconnect.
Older adults may be adept at hiding problem gambling because they often have a lot of time available. Family and friends of older pathological gamblers are often unaware of gambling debts until it becomes overwhelming.


Pathological gambling phases
Pathological gambling is typically characterized by three phases:
The winning phase begins with an initial windfall or series of wins. You may enjoy the recognition and start to believe you're a good gambler. Unreasonable optimism may accompany these feelings. You may begin to derive your self-esteem from gambling, which can lead to an increase in gambling fantasies and a need for gambling success.

From there, you may enter the losing phase. You may brag about past wins, gamble alone and become preoccupied with thoughts of gambling. You may borrow money for gambling, accompanied by a string of bad luck. You view losing as intolerable. You may also begin to chase or abandon previous gambling strategies in an attempt to win everything back at once. You may feel an increased sense of urgency, allow your relationships to deteriorate, and may even promise to quit gambling. Bets tend to increase and control disappears, however.

In the final phase, the desperation stage, you spend more and more time gambling. You may feel remorse, blame and alienation. During this stage, you may start to engage in illegal activities. Although this differs with each person, continuing to commit illegal activities becomes much easier once you've started. You may also rationalize your behavior, such as "I'm just one winning streak away from getting everything back."


Characteristics
Physically, a gambling problem may lead to stress-related complaints, such as weight changes, fatigue or sleep disturbances.
You may feel guilty or ashamed about your gambling -- but empty, restless or anxious when you're not gambling. You may become easily bored in social situations that don't include gambling. You may have unreasonable optimism when gambling or become irritable when an opportunity to gamble is threatened. You may become deceptive, break family commitments, and manipulate others to accommodate your need to gamble. Low self-esteem and severe mood swings are also common.

You may carry large amounts of cash or stop saving money. As the gambling escalates, you might wipe out your savings and max out credit cards, increase your life insurance policy, take out high face-value term insurance or withdraw from retirement funds. You may rack up debt and sell prized possessions or personal belongings. You may borrow money without attempting to pay it back. You may lie about gambling losses or become secretive about family finances. You may be unable to meet monthly living expenses despite an adequate monthly income.

At work, you may make excessive personal calls -- to bookmakers, stockbrokers or creditors, for example. Your productivity may be affected, and you may have frequent absences. You may find yourself organizing office pools or gambling junkets, borrowing money from co-workers or arguing about unpaid debts. Some pathological gamblers even reach the point of embezzlement, defrauding customers or stealing company items with the intent to resell.


Coping strategies
If you have a gambling problem, you may want to join a self-help group, such as a 12-step program. Sharing your thoughts, feelings and experiences with others coping with problem gambling can make a difference. A sponsor can help you through the difficult times.
Counseling may also be helpful -- either for yourself or with your spouse or family. Repairing broken relationships and rebuilding trust is an essential element of recovery. Remember, pathological gambling affects the entire family. Recovery is easier when you feel comfortable sharing the truth with people you can count on.

For some problem gamblers, an addiction program is effective. Consult a mental health professional who specializes in addictions to determine if such a program would be appropriate for you. You may want to bring a support person to the evaluation.

Finally, develop a financial safety plan. Turn over your cash, credit cards, bank cards and checkbook to a trusted family member or friend. Clean out hidden stashes of money. Make sure your friends, family members and other contacts know to refuse any loan requests. Structure your day to avoid gambling spots -- including gas stations and convenience stores that offer gambling. Spend your free time with a support person.

Left untreated, a gambling addiction can have devastating effects. You may risk your personal relationships, worldly possessions, career and self-respect. But there's hope for the future. Treatment is available -- and it's never too late to begin. With time, you can emerge from the depths of a gambling addiction as a healthier, happier person.