Pathological Gambling - Is it an addiction?

CEBU, Philippines - In the past few decades gambling has become an increasingly available and socially acceptable activity; however, some individuals who gamble do so in a way that results in severe and wide-ranging negative consequences. Although the majority of individuals who gamble do so without experiencing problems, many people have themselves suffered, or know friends and family members who have suffered dire personal, financial, and social consequences as a result of their gambling behavior.

What is gambling?

A general definition of gambling is risking something of value on an event for which the outcome is uncertain. This definition is broad and includes not only such things as casino-style gambling, sports betting, wagering on animal races, bingo, and slot machine gambling, but also things like office pools, the lottery, and wagering between friends, family, and acquaintances. Although one often thinks of gambling as involving monetary risk, there are many other types of bets that can be made including those involving possessions or behaviors. Although risk is inherent in many aspects of life, the difference between gambling and healthy risk taking is in the degree of uncertainty regarding outcomes. Gambling involves outcomes which are determined entirely, or nearly entirely, by random chance rather than by skill, hard work, merit, or other factors. Gambling often involves events which, though seemingly patterned, are not dependent on any previous outcomes.

The different levels of gamblers

The spectrum of gambling behavior can be divided into non-gamblers, social gamblers, at-risk gamblers, problem gamblers, and pathological gamblers.

Non-gamblers do not engage in gambling activity.

Social gamblers may use gambling as a recreational activity, often gamble with friends, stay within predefined limits and strategies, and experience no negative consequences (Family, Social, Work/School, Health, Legal, and Financial) as a result of their gambling.

At-risk gamblers are those gamblers who have experienced at least one, but less than three gambling-related negative consequences (Family, Social, Work/School, Health, Legal and Financial).

Problem gamblers have experienced at least three, but less than five gambling-related problems. 

Pathological gamblers are gamblers who have experienced five or more serious gambling-related problems meeting specific psychiatric criteria.

Pathological gambling (or gambling addiction) - DSM definitions

Pathological gambling is a disorder characterized by recurrent and maladaptive gambling behavior accompanied by cognitive/somatic symptoms (i.e., preoccupation with gambling, tolerance, withdrawal), behavioral symptoms (i.e., loss of control of gambling, chasing losses, escape gambling, lying about gambling behavior, engaging in illegal acts to support gambling), and psychosocial consequence symptoms (i.e., social, occupational or relationship problems, bailouts), all occurring in the absence of mania.

The most recent version of American Psychiatric Association's DSM (DSM-IV-TR; APA, 2000) includes ten criteria and a rule out for gambling that is better accounted for by a manic episode, which is a state of elevated mood, increased reward seeking behavior, and risk taking that occurs in one phase of bipolar disorder. The DSM-IV-TR requires five symptoms, with no particular time frame, to meet criteria for the disorder of pathological gambling. Although not a formal diagnosis, individuals with problem gambling may benefit from treatment to help them stop or reduce their gambling. For more information please feel free to contact 032-2389143 or 032-2315229.