Did you know that people with a Gambling Addiction have the highest rate of suicide attempts of any psychological disorder? Gambling Addicts also have the highest rates of divorce, bankruptcy, arrests, incarceration and stress related physical illness. There are many types of gambling in the United States, from state lotteries to Indian Casinos. Did you also know that California is second only to Nevada in Gambling Prevalence? It's true! People with gambling addictions have a high comorbidity of psychological disorders such as depression (37-75%) and 27% of gambling addicts are also addicted to drugs and/or alcohol, so many gambling addicts enter addiction treatment for their drug and/or alcohol dependence, but often hide their gambling addiction. Pathological Gambling is very similar to substance abuse.

Some of the similarities between Substance Abuse and Pathological Gambling are:

• Addictive behaviors (preoccupation, inability to stop, withdrawal & tolerance, and progressiveness).
  
• Immediate Gratification
• Cravings and Uncontrollable Urges
• Depression and Mood Swings
• Use the behavior to escape pain
• Denial
• Blackouts and Brownouts
  
• Often use rituals and patterns

Pathological Gambling, or Gambling Addictions, respond best to multimodal treatment in the same way that drug addictions and alcoholism respond best to multimodal treatment. The treatment is very similar. One thing treatment facilities have to watch out for is drug addicts and alcoholics becoming pathological gamblers. This is a common phenomenon. Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment professionals are vigilant in watching for the symptoms of compulsive gambling in their clients.
Here is a list of the DSM-IV criteria for Pathological Gambling:

1. Preoccupation with gambling
2. Increases amount of money gambled (tolerance)
   
3. Unsuccessful tries to stop
4. Restless or irritable when trying to cut down or stop
5. Gambles as an escape
6. "Chases" losses
7. Lies to others to conceal gambling
8. Has committed illegal acts
9. Has jeopardized relationships, jobs, education, or career opportunity
   
10. Relies on other to bail him or her out
    

More than 5 of these symptoms means you have have a pathological gambling disorder!
At National Therapeutic Services we treat people with gambling disorders and drug and alcohol dependence. When a gambler comes in to treatment, we individualize their treatment plan to include gambling therapy, special groups, and Gamblers Anonymous meetings. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem please call us and we can help. If we can't, then we can direct you to someplace that can.
NTS Staff

Labels: Drug Dependency, Drug Rehab, Gambling Addiction and Drug Treatment, Orange County