Gambling

Compulsive or pathological gambling is a growing public health problem that is surging due to increased access to legal gambling and new technologies such as the Internet. Conservative estimates suggest that for 2 to 4 % of the population, gambling results in an addiction. People living within 50 miles of a casino have twice the risk of developing a problem as those living farther away, which in Connecticut, includes most people in the state.

The APA (American Psychiatric Association) defines pathological gambling as an impulse control disorder that is maladaptive, that is, it causes serious problems in one a more major life areas. Symptoms of a pathological gambling disorder include:

• inability to cut back; repeated efforts to reduce or stop gambling
• a need to gamble with ever large amounts of money, or more frequently, to achieve excitement
• Irritability or restlessness if unable to gamble
• “chasing” one’s loses
• lying about gambling or committing illegal acts to finance gambling
• gambling jeopardizes social or occupational obligations; or these are sacrificed in order to gamble
• continued gambling despite obvious consequences, such as inability to pay mounting debts                                                                                              

Pathological gambling is a treatable condition, and qualified, trained professionals can work to manage the illness and help the gambler develop the skills to resist harmful impulses and prevent relapse. Treatment is crucial: because of the often hidden nature of the problem, pathological gambling problems are usually severe before they are detected. In consequences, they may lead to substance abuse or even suicide if not addressed promptly and seriously.

For more information, please check out the following:

Gambling Self Assessment Questionnaire

Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling
www.ccpg.org

National Council on Problem Gambling
www.ncpgambling.org