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Pathological gambling, commonly referred to as compulsive gambling, is a progressive behavior disorder in which a person has a psychological uncontrollable preoccupation and urge to gamble. This results in excessive gambling, the outcome of which is the loss of time and money. The gambling reaches the point where it compromises, disrupts and destroys the gambler's personal life, family relationships or vocational pursuits. These problems lead to the intensification of the gambling behavior.
Very often compulsive gambling is referred to as the "hidden illness" because there are no physical or visual symptoms. There is no "telltale" smell on the breath, no stumbling when walking or slurring of speech. Yet, the effects of compulsive gambling can be as devastating as alcohol and drug addiction and can result in both financial and personal destruction.
Since 1980, the American Psychological Association has classified pathological, or compulsive gambling, as a mental health disorder of impulse control. The illness is both diagnosable and treatable. For an individual to be diagnosed as a pathological gambler, s/he must have five or more of 10 criteria. In prevalence studies, individuals with three or four of the following criteria are considered "problem" gamblers and those with one or two are classified as "at-risk."
| Preoccupation | Is preoccupied with gambling (e.g., preoccupied with reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, or thinking of ways to get money to gamble) |
| Tolerance | Needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement |
| Withdrawal | Is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling |
| Escape | Gambles as a way of escaping from problems or relieving dysphoric mood (e.g., feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety or depression) |
| Chasing | After losing money gambling, often returns another day in order to get even ("chasing one's losses") |
| Lying | Lies to family members, therapists or others to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling |
| Illegal acts | Has committed illegal acts (e.g., forgery, fraud, theft or embezzlement) in order to finance gambling |
| Risked significant relationship | Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job or educational or career opportunity because of gambling |
| Bailout | Has relied on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling |
| Loss of control | Has made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop gambling |
Compulsive gambling starts quietly. Winning enhances the gambler's self-image and ego. Losses are rationalized as poor advice or bad luck. However, as losses increase and self-esteem is jeopardized, the gambler borrows money to "invest" in gambling in hopes of breaking even. The need arises to hide new losses and borrow more money to make up the difference. At this point, lies, loan fraud, absenteeism, family disputes and job changes are common danger signals.
Finally, desperation occurs as the gambler becomes obsessed with getting even to cover stolen money, withdrawals from family bank accounts and secret loans. The gambler panics at the thought that the gambling action will cease if the credit or bailouts stop. This results in the eventual destruction of the gambler's personal life, family relationships and career. The gambler can experience severe mood swings and suicide may be considered and attempted as a way out.
The costs to the gamblers are only the beginning. Excessive gambling also presents negative consequences to those closest to the gambler (e.g. family and friends), as well as to employers (e.g. poor work performance, theft and embezzlement) and places a hardship on our legal and prison systems, and public assistance programs. Overall, the cost to society, as a result of compulsive gambling, is considerable.
Source: "What Is Compulsive Gambling?" (Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling)
For further information, support, and help on compulsive gambling, you may try the following:
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