Gambling Addiction & Treatment

Gambling addiction, also called compulsive or pathological gambling, is an addiction that affects a relatively small number of Americans. While up to 86 percent of Americans have gambled in their lifetime, only about 1 percent are considered to have a gambling addiction, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG). Gambling addiction is more than just a financial problem. It can affect your personal life, family life and work life while also causing or worsening emotional problems, such as depression and anxiety.

Features

• According to the NCPG, problem gambling occurs when gambling negatively impacts one or more aspects of the gambler's life, including work, family and personal relationships. The term "problem gambling" includes the condition called "pathological" or "compulsive" gambling, a progressive addiction that will continue to worsen until the problem gambler seeks treatment.

Types

• While only 1 percent of Americans are considered pathological or compulsive gamblers, another 2 percent to 3 percent are problem gamblers. Problem gamblers do not meet the full criteria for pathological gambling, but experience one or more symptoms and have problems because of their gambling.

  Pathological or compulsive gambling, rather, is recognized by several symptoms, including gambling longer than anticipated, gambling until you are broke, losing sleep over gambling, using money to gamble but not to pay bills, making unsuccessful attempts to quit gambling, broken the law or considered breaking it in order to gamble, borrowing money to gamble, feeling depressed, suicidal or remorseful after gambling and gambling to earn money for bills. Pathological or compulsive gamblers will continue to gamble despite the negative effects on their lives.

Effects

• Gambling addiction can have far-reaching effects, both in the life of the problem gambler and in the lives of the people they know. According to the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, the children of problem gamblers can experience abuse and neglect from their parents' problem gambling. A majority of problem gamblers can experience depression, and many problem gamblers commit crime in order to continue gambling. In addition, NCPG estimates that 20 percent of problem gamblers attempt suicide, giving gambling addiction a higher rate of suicide than any other addiction.

Prevention/Solution

• Several options for the treatment of gambling addiction, including Gamblers Anonymous and various residential and inpatient treatment facilities. According to the NCPG, finding the appropriate treatment program depends on the problem gambler. Consider whether the program employs certified gambling counselors, individuals who have completed a course of study in problem gambling treatment and have been certified by either a national or state credentialing organization. Does the program address all of the problems and areas of life that can be have impacts from gambling addiction, including medical, other substance abuse and mental health problems, money management and other financial help, and social and spiritual assistance?

Misconceptions

• One form of gambling, such as card-table games or video machines, is not more likely than another to cause gambling addiction. Rather, gambling addiction occurs because the gambler cannot control their actions. Problem gamblers do not have to gamble daily in order for the gambling to be considered addictive. Even gambling binges, according to NCPG, can have negative financial and emotional effects on the problem gambler's personal life.