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  Differences ○ Loss of Control ○ Unpredictable outcome ○ Fantasies of success ○ Preoccupation ○ No biological test ○ Negative impact on ○ Easier to hide major life areas ○ Gambling is not self- ○ Tolerance limiting ○ Impact on Family ○ Behavior not attributable to intoxication ○ Emotional/spiritual ○ More intense sense of impact on the shame and guilt individual ○ Greater denial and ○ Withdrawal Symptoms stronger defenses ○ Greater financial problems ○ Self-help groups ○ Intensity of family anger ○ Less public awareness and acceptance

Some common personality traits .....  achievement,  Feelings of low self- esteem,  exhibitionism,  poor self-image,  dominance,  Feelings of  escapism, inadequacy and  magical thinking. 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 ESCAPE GAMBLERS ACTION GAMBLERS LUCK SKILL Often Female More Males Less Competitive Very Competitive Passive Play Games of Skill Luck Games Seek the rush of gambling Seek Escape Similar to Cocaine addicts Similar to narcotic addicts The Rush Escape While Gambling – nothing hurts. Even chronic pain goes away. Numbing Quality. Altered State – 1 st 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...... The Adventurous or Winning Phase 1.  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.......... Coping mechanisms..... Effects.... Denial.......  Worries/questions  Accepts/excuses..Hopes! Stress...  Attempts to  Arguments/Demands/ control...begins to ......provides bailouts avoid family/friends Exhaustion...  Confusion/physical  Resentments symptoms  Doubt themselves....  Rage/ Anxiety  Helpless/hopeless

Recovery..... For the gambler...  Gambling MUST stop!  Treatment  Gamblers Anonymous  ??? Other supports For the family.....  Stop enabling  Seek help  Gam-Anon

Ef Effect ects s of Co Compulsiv pulsive e Ga Gambling mbling on F n Fami mily ly