GAMBLING

PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING

 Topics in Mental Health

By Shlomo Radcliffe

What is Pathological Gambling?

Gambling is an extremely common behavior in society today. It often begins in the teenage years. Although this activity can be a relatively harmless pastime, when gambling is carried to an excess it becomes a mental health disorder.  Pathological gambling affects around 2% of the adult population and is relatively common.

Symptoms of Pathological Gambling (DSM-IV Criteria)

In order to diagnose a person with pathological gambling the person must meet the following symptoms:

§         The person displays maladaptive gambling expressed by five or more of the following behaviours:

• The person needs to put increasing amounts of money into play constantly in order to get the desired excitement.
•  The person has repeatedly tried to control or stop gambling and has been met with failure.
• The person has had to rely on others for money to alleviate the consequences of gambling.
• The person has stolen to pay for his or her gambling obsession.
• The person lies to cover up the extent of the gambling.
• The person has put at risk an important relationship, job, career or education opportunity by gambling.
• The person is preoccupied with gambling.
•  The person feels irritable and restless when trying to control his gambling problem.
• The person often tries to recoup losses (often losing even more).

§         The behaviour is not better accounted for by a manic episode.

 Treating Pathological Gambling

There is no standard treatment for pathological gambling. Gamblers Anonymous (GA) is very frequently used as an intervention for pathological gambling. Professional therapy as well has some positive results. Some medications such as fluvoxamine, Carbamazepine, clomipramine, lithium and naltrexone have as well yielded positive results in bringing an end to pathological gambling. Some other treatments for pathological gambling include: cognitive behavioural therapies, marital and family treatments and psychodynamics.

Combining Gamblers Anonymous with professional therapy may improve retention and abstinence, more than GA would do alone. Helping the patient understand what is wrong with him is also an important part of treatment to do in order to bring an end to pathological gambling.