Compulsive Gambling Presented by: Austin Prior MACI Ga Gamblin - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Compulsive Gambling

Presented by: Austin Prior MACI

Ga Gamblin ling g St Statisti tistics cs

5 million compulsive gamblers in the US. 15 million problem gamblers. Each compulsive gambler impacts on 4-6 other people. Average compulsive gambler owes about 1 years salary. Estimated 40,000 problem gamblers in Ireland.

Ga Gamblin ling g St Statisti tistics cs

Henrietta Bowden Jones – UK Problem Gambling Clinic.............

Estimated 500,000 problem gamblers in the UK. 84% Have committed illegal acts to fund

gambling

Average Onset – 21 years of age 51% have lost their partner 18% have lost their jobs Average loss £151k

Ga Gamblin ling g Fact cts

Problem Gambling seems to be more common among

adolescents (at least double the adult prevalence rate)

Affect disorders: depressions, anxiety and bipolar

disorders appear high among problem gamblers

ADD, PTSD and Substance Abuse Disorders seem

unusually common to the problem gambling population

Suicide attempt rates have been reported as high as

15-20% of those who present for care

Comparison to Substance Abuse

 Similarities

○ Loss of Control ○ Preoccupation ○ Negative impact on

major life areas

○ Tolerance ○ Impact on Family ○ Emotional/spiritual

impact on the individual

○ Withdrawal Symptoms ○ Self-help groups

 Differences

○

Unpredictable outcome

○

Fantasies of success

○

No biological test

○

Easier to hide

○

Gambling is not self- limiting

○

Behavior not attributable to intoxication

○

More intense sense of shame and guilt

○

Greater denial and stronger defenses

○

Greater financial problems

○

Intensity of family anger

○

Less public awareness and acceptance

Some common personality traits .....

 achievement,  exhibitionism,  dominance,  escapism,  magical thinking.  Feelings of low self-

esteem,

 poor self-image,  Feelings of

inadequacy and inferiority.

Compulsive Gamblers learn early to.....

 Avoid responsibility  Avoid conflict  Avoid frustration  Cannot tolerate boredom  Continuously crave excitement  First Big High = First Big Win

Co Compulsi pulsive e Ga Gambli bling ng

ACTION GAMBLERS SKILL More Males Very Competitive Games of Skill Seek the rush of gambling Similar to Cocaine addicts The Rush ESCAPE GAMBLERS LUCK Often Female Less Competitive Passive Play Luck Games Seek Escape Similar to narcotic addicts Escape

While Gambling – nothing hurts. Even chronic pain goes away. Numbing Quality. Altered State – 1st loss – perception of time.

Compulsive Gambling:

 Escape

 Gambles as a way of escaping from problems or

relieving feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety or depression

 Chasing

 After losing money gambling, often returns another

day in order to get even

 Lying

 Lies to family members, therapists, or others to

conceal the extent of involvement with gambling

The progression......

1.

The Adventurous or Winning Phase

Gambling is fun, exciting and enjoyable. Feelings of relief from all cares and worries. Usually have a big win early on, then a pattern of

winning, losing and breaking even.

• 2. The Losing Phase or Chase

Increasing losses, threat to self-esteem. Borrows money, bets on credit. Fraud, lies, forgery etc all start happening, hiding the

losses and loans from others, become loners.

Total pre-occupation....depression/irritability/stress....

What to look out for….

 Mood swings  Changes in behaviour/punctuality etc  Unreliability/lack of commitment  Changes in friends

Friends must stop.......

 Looking the other way  Making light of the addict’s behaviour  Covering up…. making excuses  Assuring the addict that everything is fine….

Co-Workers Must Stop

 Doing the work of the addict; helping the addict finish

tasks

 Covering up the addict’s mistakes and poor performance  Lying to the supervisor about the addict’s absence

during the work day

 Making excuses to the addict’s living companion  Looking the other way  Assuring the addict that certain behaviour is normal

The Family..........

Denial.......

 Worries/questions

Stress...

 Attempts to

control...begins to avoid family/friends Exhaustion...

 Resentments  Doubt themselves....  Helpless/hopeless

 Accepts/excuses..Hopes!

 Arguments/Demands/

......provides bailouts

 Confusion/physical

symptoms

 Rage/ Anxiety

Effects.... Coping mechanisms.....

Recovery.....

For the gambler...

 Gambling MUST stop!  Treatment  Gamblers Anonymous  ??? Other supports

For the family.....

 Stop enabling  Seek help  Gam-Anon

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