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Psychological Gambling Problems
The disorder that renders the individual the inability to resist the impulse and compulsion to gamble is called pathological gambling. This impulse or uncontrollable urge is done on a regular basis. Individuals engaged in this activity are usually characterized as competitive and enjoy being with people. Pathological gambling is also comparable to obsessive-compulsive behavior or substance abuse. It has a similarity to OCD in its symptoms in that it is uncontrollable and desired by the individual. Also, pathological gambling is just like substance abuse in the case when the individual chooses to stop it. The individual undergoes withdrawal-relapse periods – a recurrent and unsuccessful attempt to stop on his own effort.
Early introduction to gambling that is unstopped or uncontrolled balloons into a habit until it becomes pathological gambling Later in life, the impulse to gamble becomes uncontrollable because the habit becomes so compulsive. Pathological gambling in men has its beginning in early adolescence, and between 20 to 40 years old for women. Pathological gambling can be diagnosed when five or more of the criteria below are met:
1. The individual gambles during stressful periods in his life, especially when it is of financial concern. Over his family and other basic responsibilities, he prefers to give priority to gambling instead. 3. He is often preoccupied with gambling in his speech, action, and thinking. 4. He borrows money to gamble or bet just to satisfy his urge to gamble. 5. The individual sometimes commits “crimes” just to get money for gambling. 6. He returns to gamble after losing to get even or to regain his borrowed money. 7. He lies or denies about his habitual or regular bout with gambling. He gets restless whenever he stops his gambling.
Treatment for pathological gambling is still limited but studies are still being conducted to give it a broader range. Group therapy that is similar to Alcoholics Anonymous can be catered by Gamblers Anonymous with its 12-step program. Gamblers Anonymous is based on spiritual principles and medical therapy to make the individual a reformed member of society. On the other hand, another group called Gam-Anon offers moral support for families of pathological gamblers. Three kinds of pharmacological agents were used in medical treatment studies namely, serotonin uptake inhibitors, mood stabilizers, and opioid antagonists. Individuals with unsuccessful impulse control can be treated with serotonin uptake inhibitors; mood stabilizers work best on individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder; and opioid antagonists are for those trying to stop gambling with withdrawal symptoms similar to substance abuse.