The Impact of Gambling on Mental Health
Dec 21, 2007
More money is spent wagering in the U.S. on gambling than on movies, concerts, sporting events and amusement parks combined. Gambling has become America’s favorite pastime, but what about the consequences of gambling on mental health? A recent study has estimated the prevalence of pathological gambling in the U.S. to be 0.8% to 1.9%, with an additional 1.3% to 3.6% classified as problem gamblers. As Massachusetts determines how to further legalize gambling, one important consideration is the personal impact of gambling disorders on individuals.
According to the UCLA Gambling Studies Program, problem gambling includes all gambling behavior patterns that compromise, disrupt or damage personal, family or vocational pursuits. 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 in spite of mounting, serious, and negative consequences.
Problem gambling can manifest itself in real biological symptoms which may include fatigue, insomnia, minor respiratory ailments, intestinal distress, migraine headaches, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease according to several studies.
Pathologic gambling is a more severe form of problem gambling. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has defined a set of criteria for “pathologic gambling” that leads to consistent and recurrent maladaptive behavioral. Pathologic gambling can often lead to bankruptcy, loss of family and career, and even suicide.
According to one study, people with pathologic or problem gambling compared with nongamblers are 3.3 times as likely to report ever having experienced major depression, 3.5 times more likely to report schizophrenia, 2.3 times more likely to report phobias, 6.1 times more likely to report anti-social personality, 3.3 times more likely to report current or past alcohol abuse or dependence and 2.1 times more likely to report current or past nicotine dependence.
There is considerable debate on whether pathologic gambling has a genetic or biological cause. The symptoms of a gambling addiction are very similar to substance addiction. Both disorders have anticipatory cravings, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and chronic relapses. A few studies have shown gambling linked to the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine in the body.
Psychological intervention is the most common treatment for pathologic gambling. Since many gamblers have beliefs that the outcome of a game can be controlled, treatment begins by overcoming these irrational thoughts.
For most casino games, success is based on luck and not skill, and patients must first understand that they are not in control. The goal of counseling is to restore a patient’s normal way of thinking similar to how patients are treated for depression or alcoholism. Pharmacotherapy is usually not recommended unless to treat a comorbid condition.
While Asians and Asian-Americans have not been shown in any epidemiological study to be linked with more gambling disorders, anecdotal evidence can be seen by the high number of Asian players at card rooms and casinos possibly indicating a connection. Massachusetts casinos have specifically targeted Asians for business. The Mohegan Sun has a 25-person Asian American marketing department. Catering to the Asian customer is common in Las Vegas and other regional casinos. One California card room estimates 80% of its customers are Asian.
Many Asian cultures consider gambling to be socially acceptable; games are often played with family and friends on special occasions. Moreover, Asian immigrants can more easily understand the games without overcoming language barriers associated with other forms of entertainment. Gambling can provide many positive attributes such as socializing especially among elders. However, for some individuals the lines are blurred between entertainment and compulsion. One study reports the high of winning may release endogenous opioid peptides and cause a “natural addiction” similar to sexual addiction or overeating disorders.
To help deal with the gambling issues in the Asian community, the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling has appointed Chien-Chi Huang as the Asian Community Program Specialist. The organization has sponsored training workshops case for clinicians and counselors who can speak target languages to provide proper treatment. The organization also plans a media campaign including MBTA posters, advertisements in Chinese newspapers, and public service announcements.
One simple method to investigate for problematic or pathologic gambling is the LIE/BET questionnaire.
Have you ever had to lie to people important to you about how much you gambled?
Have you ever felt a need to bet more money?
Answering yes to any of these questions should lead to further study of additional criteria for problem or pathologic gambling.
The Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling phone number for support with gambling related health issues is 1-800-426-1234.
This article funded through the Asian Health Initiative of Tufts-New England Medical Center.
According to the UCLA Gambling Studies Program, problem gambling includes all gambling behavior patterns that compromise, disrupt or damage personal, family or vocational pursuits. 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 in spite of mounting, serious, and negative consequences.
Problem gambling can manifest itself in real biological symptoms which may include fatigue, insomnia, minor respiratory ailments, intestinal distress, migraine headaches, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease according to several studies.
Pathologic gambling is a more severe form of problem gambling. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has defined a set of criteria for “pathologic gambling” that leads to consistent and recurrent maladaptive behavioral. Pathologic gambling can often lead to bankruptcy, loss of family and career, and even suicide.
According to one study, people with pathologic or problem gambling compared with nongamblers are 3.3 times as likely to report ever having experienced major depression, 3.5 times more likely to report schizophrenia, 2.3 times more likely to report phobias, 6.1 times more likely to report anti-social personality, 3.3 times more likely to report current or past alcohol abuse or dependence and 2.1 times more likely to report current or past nicotine dependence.
There is considerable debate on whether pathologic gambling has a genetic or biological cause. The symptoms of a gambling addiction are very similar to substance addiction. Both disorders have anticipatory cravings, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and chronic relapses. A few studies have shown gambling linked to the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine in the body.
Psychological intervention is the most common treatment for pathologic gambling. Since many gamblers have beliefs that the outcome of a game can be controlled, treatment begins by overcoming these irrational thoughts.
For most casino games, success is based on luck and not skill, and patients must first understand that they are not in control. The goal of counseling is to restore a patient’s normal way of thinking similar to how patients are treated for depression or alcoholism. Pharmacotherapy is usually not recommended unless to treat a comorbid condition.
While Asians and Asian-Americans have not been shown in any epidemiological study to be linked with more gambling disorders, anecdotal evidence can be seen by the high number of Asian players at card rooms and casinos possibly indicating a connection. Massachusetts casinos have specifically targeted Asians for business. The Mohegan Sun has a 25-person Asian American marketing department. Catering to the Asian customer is common in Las Vegas and other regional casinos. One California card room estimates 80% of its customers are Asian.
Many Asian cultures consider gambling to be socially acceptable; games are often played with family and friends on special occasions. Moreover, Asian immigrants can more easily understand the games without overcoming language barriers associated with other forms of entertainment. Gambling can provide many positive attributes such as socializing especially among elders. However, for some individuals the lines are blurred between entertainment and compulsion. One study reports the high of winning may release endogenous opioid peptides and cause a “natural addiction” similar to sexual addiction or overeating disorders.
To help deal with the gambling issues in the Asian community, the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling has appointed Chien-Chi Huang as the Asian Community Program Specialist. The organization has sponsored training workshops case for clinicians and counselors who can speak target languages to provide proper treatment. The organization also plans a media campaign including MBTA posters, advertisements in Chinese newspapers, and public service announcements.
One simple method to investigate for problematic or pathologic gambling is the LIE/BET questionnaire.
Have you ever had to lie to people important to you about how much you gambled?
Have you ever felt a need to bet more money?
Answering yes to any of these questions should lead to further study of additional criteria for problem or pathologic gambling.
The Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling phone number for support with gambling related health issues is 1-800-426-1234.
This article funded through the Asian Health Initiative of Tufts-New England Medical Center.
Article Reference: http://www.sampan.org/show_article.php?display=1411
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