Gambling Addictions

Gambling Addictions

History • Forms of lotteries date back to biblical times • 1892  CCC  complete ban on all forms of gambling • 1969  CCC amended  First Nations, charitable groups, provincial and federal gov’ts permitted to use lotteries • By 1980 Pathological Gambling included in DSM-III as a “disorder of impulse control” • 1985  CCC  Private operators permitted under provincial licensing authority

Gambling • For 4-6%, gambling becomes pathological • Average age: 25-34yrs. • Teens are 3x’s more likely than adults to become problem gamblers • “settings” produce state of excitement & dissociation • After several minutes  increased dopamine and decreased serotonin • Repeated pairings  arousal begins immediately upon entering casino (classical conditioning)

Characteristics of those withlow risk of compulsive gambling: • Gambling is enjoyable complement to other activities • Gambling with family and friends (rather than alone) • Gambling confined to limited times • Gambling has predetermined limits for losses

Characteristics of those withhigh risk of compulsive gambling: • Opposite to above but often have coexisting problems: • 52% have other “substance abuse” problems • 76% indicate major depressive disorder • 28% have recurrent panic attacks • 50% contemplate suicide

Types of Problem Gamblers(by etiology) • “Normal” problem gamblers •  problems seen as consequences (not causes) of gambling •  no previous emotional/psychological problems •  significant event leads to preoccupation (i.e. a big win) •  depression, anxiety, etc. are consequences

B) “Emotionally disturbed” gamblers •  pre-existing “mood” disturbances •  gambling used to modify emotions •  seek “escape” •  gambling euphoric and analgesic experience •  pre-existing issues (i.e. anxiety, depression, problems concentrating) alleviated by gambling environment •  common: negative childhood experiences, neurotic personality traits, some form of negative life event

C) Biologically-based gamblers •  dysfunction in neurotransmitters  low levels of serotonin •  often labeled ADD as children •  inability to delay gratification, diminished responses to punishment, sensation seeking •  gambling usually starts at early age

Types of Gamblers(by personality traits) • Action Gambler = • Usually domineering, controlling, manipulative men • “players” • Intelligent group; others see them as energetic, persuasive, confident • Usually started gambling at an early age • Prefer “skill” games • Gamble to beat others/system

2)Escape Gamblers • Gambling becomes a problem later in life • Others see them as nurturing, responsible • Become compulsive almost immediately • Leads to deep sense of guilt and shame • Hypnotic-like state while gambling • Prefer “luck” games • History of abuse • Codependent

Three Phases of Problem Gambling • Phase I  “winning”  begins as a social activity, but gambling more frequently and beginning to accumulate debt  dvlpd tolerance • Phase II  “losing”  chasing your losses  false sense of control; anxiety mounting; rituals; borrowing $$ to gamble • Phase III  Desperation  cling to fantasy of winning; joy gone; illegal activity; $$ has no legitimate value

Theoretical Explanations • Biological  physiological arousal more intense for problem gamblers • Medical/Disease  progressive disease major marker is loss of control; abstinence only cure • Psychological  • psychodynamic = temporary escape from self (unconscious desire to punish self or others) • Personality  depressive personality trait, need for dominance or exhibitionism • Learning  gambling imitated • Sociological  inability to cope with the complexities of the world  gambling involves focus on limited, repetitive activities that numb the senses

Gambling Addictions