Addictive Gambling

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Addictive Gambling

• By Yasmin Alkassem

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In order for an individual to be diagnosed as an
addictive gambler, an individual must accomplish
at least four of the following

• Progression (increasing preoccupation with
  gambling)
• Tolerance (increased time or money spent on
  gambling)
• Withdrawal (insomnia, restlessness, irritability)
• Loss of control over gambling
• Escape gambling
• Lies and deception
• Family or job disruptions
• Financial bailouts
• Illegal acts

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• A survey in Washington State found that 79
  percent of gamblers gamble for entertainment, 69
  percent want to win money, 59 percent gamble for
  the excitement, 51 percent want to socialize, and
  50 percent want to support worthy causes.
• In Washington State, women and surveyors over the
  age of 30 were significantly more likely than men
  and surveyors under the age of 30 to say that
  they gamble to support worthy causes.
• Male surveyors in Montana and South Dakota were
  more likely than women to say that they gamble to
  win money.

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• Addictive gambling is a problem that can damage
  more than just a persons finances.
• Research from the United States shows that
  suicide attempts for pathological gamblers are
  higher than those with other addictions. One of
  every five will attempt suicide.
• Problem gamblers have high rates of depression
  and suicidal ideation.

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• Wives of problem gamblers have experienced
  psychological and physical abuse.
• Many of the spouses suffer from depression and
  stress.
• 22 percent of compulsive gamblers divorced
  because of gambling.
• 40 percent loose or quit a job due to gambling.
• 49 percent have stolen from work to pay gambling
  debts.
• 23 percent are alcoholics, 26 percent are
  compulsive overeaters, 63 percent have
  contemplated suicide, and 79 percent said they
  wanted to die.

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• Children with compulsive gambler parents are far
  more likely to have issues with gambling
  themselves.
• 75 percent of problem gamblers children had
  their first gambling experience before the age of
  11.
• When children get overly involved in a poker
  game, they will follow the same behavior patterns
  of a drug addict or an alcoholic.
• Children of a gambler parent (s) are at a greater
  risk of using alcohol and drugs. They will be in
  trouble with the law and suicidal.
• Children will get anxious, depressed, refuse to
  go to school, perform poorly in school, withdraw
  from friends and activities, and will worry about
  parents worries.
• Children can also have a sense of loss. This
  loss may be for a parent who is away gambling for
  long periods. Children will feel as if they lost
  security and trust.
• 23 percent of spouses and 17 percent of the
  children of addictive gamblers were physically
  abused.
• There is a 53 percent of divorce rate of all
  pathological gamblers.

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How is the environment at an addictive gamblers
home?

• Loud arguments
• Yelling
• Delicate objects thrown
• Wives beaten while the children are crying

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• Most crimes committed by gamblers are non
  violent, but some problem gamblers have
  demonstrated the opposite.
• Theft
• Vandalism
• Driving under the influence
• Weapon offenses

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How do you treat individuals with addictive
gambling?

• Pressure from the family.
• Court order to seek professional treatment
  (attend meetings).
• Just as an alcoholic cannot have one more drink,
  a gambler cannot place another bet.
• Communities have to take a more proactive
  approach to this problem, including putting more
  pressure on casinos and large gambling
  organizations to improve their business methods
  to be more ethical.
• For example, casinos could train staff to spot
  problem gamblers and stop outrageous bets from
  taking place.
• Casinos should be forced to broadcast public
  awareness commercials.
• Addictive gambling causes chaos in families and
  tears them apart. It burdens society with
  increased prices, crimes, and taxes.