To overcome the enticement of gambling, a problem gambler must make a lifelong commitment to stop. Today, internet access makes gambling accessible to nearly anyone, making it an even more difficult habit to kick. Problem gamblers must give up control over their finances, find new, healthier activities, and surround themselves with accountability. Here are some tips:
Problem gambling
The term “problem gambling” refers to an addiction to gambling that interferes with one’s personal and financial life. Those who engage in problem gambling cannot resist the urge to gamble and often resort to deception to conceal their activities. The negative consequences of this addiction can range from financial ruin to legal and interpersonal issues. In severe cases, problem gambling can even lead to suicide. However, there are various types of treatment for this condition.
Evidence of pathological gambling
In the study, 17 suicides and one control case met criteria for a pathological gambling diagnosis. All of the cases had unmanageable debt, and fourteen had a co-occurring psychiatric disorder. The most common associated disorders were major depressive disorder and substance use disorder. In addition, none of the cases had been diagnosed with pathological gambling before. A lack of psychiatric care was also noted.
Associated forms of gambling
Associated forms of gambling are often associated with problem gambling. The prevalence of problem gambling is higher among individuals in the U.S. within 10 miles of a casino. Some forms of gambling are more socially acceptable than others, and research shows that certain types are associated with increased risk of problem gambling. In addition, some forms of gambling may be associated with socially unacceptable behaviors, such as betting on everyday events. Nevertheless, it is unclear whether these associations are causal or merely coincidental.
Associated forms of gambling with PG
While there is no definitive link between PG and specific forms of gambling, a correlation between the two may exist. In addition to being related to the occurrence of PG, involvement in specific forms of gambling increases the risk of developing the disorder. Further, the study suggests that problem gambling is most likely to occur in people who engage in multiple forms of gambling. As a result, responsible gambling initiatives and policy should focus on identifying the most common forms of problem gambling and the associated risk factors.
Impact of problem gambling on society
The negative effects of gambling have long been recognized by researchers, but the benefits of problem gambling are not well-represented. The cost-benefit analysis of gambling, a popular method used to study alcohol and drug issues, ignores the benefit side of the equation. This method also fails to account for the indirect, intangible costs of gambling, such as the pain that the problem gambler endures. Although these impacts are often overlooked, they are significant enough to warrant further research.
Help for problem gamblers
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) cites studies indicating that about two percent of American adults may be at risk of developing a problem with gambling. This figure is particularly high if the gambler is active and bets regularly. Connecticut alone has about 58,000 problem gamblers. Each year, up to 1,000 people in the state are in direct contact with these struggling addicts. Fortunately, there is help for problem gamblers – there are many resources available.