Mar 11, 2008

ANDERSON ON HEALTH: Gambling problems can unravel a life

By LJ Anderson / Daily News Columnist

Legalized gambling seems to be everywhere. We have opportunities to lose or win money at the office, at the corner market, at a nearby casino, or a quick trip to Reno or Las Vegas. Its presence has expanded from 20 years ago when only two states allowed legal gambling to 48 states today that participate in this $40 billion per year industry. In what is often a government-sanctioned push to provide additional revenue, terms to describe gambling have also changed to include the more innocuous-sounding "gaming." But no matter how commonplace gambling becomes or what euphemism is used to describe it, there can be unanticipated consequences when gambling goes beyond an occasional bet.
Psychologist James Whelan, Ph.D., is
co-director and co-founder of the Institute
for Gambling Education and Research
(gambling.memphis.edu) at the University
of Memphis in Tennessee, a nonprofit center founded in 1998 to further knowledge of problem gambling behavior and its treatment.



Q: What are the signs that someone has a gambling problem?

A: Typically, problem gambling occurs when gambling results in financial, emotional, marital, legal, psychological, and/or other difficulties. The essential features are increasing preoccupation with gambling, a need to bet more money more frequently, restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop, "chasing" losses, and loss of control manifested by continuation of gambling in spite of increasingly serious and negative consequences. In extreme cases, problem gambling can result in financial ruin, legal problems, loss of career and family, or even suicide. Unlike alcohol or other drug abuse, problem gamblers usually do not exhibit easily recognizable signs.


Q: What groups are most at risk in the United States?

A: Approximately 85 percent of U.S. adults have gambled at least once in their lives; 60 percent in the past year. Most adults who choose to gamble do so responsibly. However, 2 million (1 percent) of U.S. adults are estimated to meet criteria for pathological gambling in a given year. Another 4 to 8 million (2 to 3 percent) are considered problem gamblers; that is, they do not meet the full diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling, but meet one or more of the criteria and are experiencing problems due to their gambling behavior.
Anyone who gambles can develop problems if they are not aware of the risks and do not gamble responsibly. Even people with a long history of responsible behavior can develop a gambling problem. When gambling behavior interferes with finances, relationships and the workplace, a serious problem already exists. Groups that tend to be at higher risk for developing gambling problems include: youth (children of parents with problem gambling are at higher risk of developing gambling problems later in life), those of lower economic status and education, those with a history of drug and alcohol use, and individuals of ethnic minority status.


Q: What in our society contributes to gambling problems?

A: There is no exact "cause" for gambling problems. Many times there are a compilation of circumstances that lead to a person developing problems, and for each person these circumstances are individualized. Nevertheless, the availability and easier accessibility of legalized gambling outlets can contribute to the development of gambling problems. Some form of legalized gambling is available in 48 states plus the District of Columbia. The two without legalized gambling are Hawaii and Utah. Gambling can now be found not only in casino strips within a particular mile radius, but also in local convenience stores with lottery tickets, and even in one's own home with online gambling.


Q: How would a friend or family member know if their loved one had a gambling problem?

A: Again, the big thing here is being aware of any of the signs of problem gambling as stated above. If you think you or someone you know may have a gambling problem, help is available. The Gambling Clinic (helplines) are: 901-678-3491 or 901-678-STOP (7867).


Q: What is the treatment, and how effective is it?

A: Our program is designed to help individuals use personal strengths and resources to resolve gambling difficulties. The focus is often on excessive gambling, but the program can also address other concerns that may influence their gambling. We use guided self-change and motivational approaches, and clients have control over setting their own treatment goals. Some may choose complete abstinence from gambling while others may choose to modify their current gambling behavior.

The program consists of five treatment phases that emphasize a careful consideration of the pros and cons of change, and problem-solving activities to guide the replacement of the problem behavior with alternative behaviors.
Pilot studies conducted on our treatment have found that clients who completed the treatment gambled less (77.8 percent decrease), spent less money per gambling session (54.6 percent decrease in amount risked per gambling session) and less per month (88.5 percent reduction in overall amount put at risk).
LJ Anderson writes on health matters every Tuesday. She can be reached at lj.anderson@yahoo.com.