DEALING WITH COMPULSIVE GAMBLING

Pathological gambling is a behavior which causes a disruption in your ability to enjoy life or your psychological or physical well-being. It may damage your social relationships or hurt your career. About one in thirty people has a gambling problem. For people who gamble, one in seven is addicted.

There are two types of Compulsive Gamblers

• The Action Gambler is addicted to the thrill of risk-taking, much in the same way that a cocaine addict is hooked on cocaine. The action itself becomes the drug. Action gamblers typically engage in games with other players, since part of the adrenaline rush is in the appearance or identity as a “winner.”

• The Escape Gambler seeks to blot out some discomforting feelings or emotional life crises, including depression and anxiety. The action of gambling is secondary to the numbing effect of the activity. Escape gamblers prefer more singular outlets such as slot machines, where they can avoid human contact. Men tend more towards action gambling, and women tend to become escape gamblers.

There are a number of effective treatment options for compulsive gambling

For the Action Gambler, treatment focuses on psychotherapy to help change the addictive behavior. Occasionally, medications may be helpful, but the most important part is behavioral therapy aimed at changing your reponse to cues which make you crave gambling.

For the Escape Gambler, the treatment must focus on the underlying condition. Until symptoms are resolved, gambling will remain an attractive alternative to suffering. Once your symptoms improve, you will be able to more effectively evaluate the consequences of problem gambling and stop wasting valuable resources on an activity that brings you little enjoyment.

To whom should I talk?

Treating your gambling problem involves managing several different problem areas. First is evaluating your overall psychiatric health. You should talk with a doctor who is experienced and specializes in the treatment of addiction. If you are dealing with problems in your relationship as a result of gambling, you may also need couples therapy.

Is it expensive?

Good therapy is never cheap, but it is a very cost-effective solution, when compared with the incredible expense of a gambling addiction.

Is it too late?

Unfortunately, many compulsive gamblers arrive at treatment late in the game. They may be dealing with divorce and financial hardship. It's never too late, you can get your life on track! Once you learn to focus your energy on putitng your life back together instead of hiding a gambling addiction, you will be amazed at how productive you can be.

AM I ADDICTED?

Look at the following ten criteria. If you answer "yes" to even one of these questions you are at increased risk of developing an addiction. More than four "yes" responses and you meet criteria for a full gambling addiction:

1. Are you preoccupied with reliving past gambling experiences, planning the next venture, or thinking of ways to get money to gamble?
2. Do you need to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement?
3. Are you restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling?
4. Do you gamble as a way of escaping from problems or relieving feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression?
5. After you lose money, do you return another day in order to make your money back?
6. Do you lie to family members, therapists, or others to conceal the extent of your involvement with gambling?
7. Have you ever committed forgery, fraud, theft, or embezzlement to finance gambling?
8. Have you jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational/career opportunity because of gambling?
9. Have you asked friends or relatives to lend or give you money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling?
10. Have you failed to control, cut back, or stop your gambling?

Modified from American Psychological Association gambling addiction criteria