Gambling

 

Pathological gambling is characterised by a compulsion to gamble and is similar to disorders such as kleptomania. Pathological gambling is categorised as an impulse control disorder, which is classed as a mental health problem. A pathological gambler will have an extremely strong urge to gamble even if they know what they are doing is wrong or they want to give up.

A person may be diagnosed with a pathological gambling habit if they fit more than five of the following criteria; the criteria were published in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders:

• Preoccupation: the individual constantly thinks about gambling.

• Tolerance: the individual becomes increasingly tolerant to gambling and starts to spend more money and take more risks to get the same ‘rush’; this is similar to someone with alcohol dependency.

• Withdrawal: the individual suffers withdrawal symptoms if they go for a while without gambling; commonly, people with gambling problems get irritable and restless when they don’t gamble on a regular basis.

• Escape: the individual uses gambling as a means of escaping the real world.

• Chasing: the individual will continue to gamble if they have lost money to try and win it back.

• Lying: the individual lies about the gravity of their gambling habit to loved ones and tries to disguise their addiction.

• Loss of control: the individual cannot cut down on gambling, even if they want to.

• Illegal acts: the individual breaks the law to get money to gamble or make money back following a loss; these acts may include theft and fraud.

• Risked significant relationship: the individual continues to gamble even though they know a significant relationship is at risk.

• Bailout: an individual asks friends, family or a third party for help with repaying gambling debts.