Gambling Addiction I
Originally written for the issue published March 5, 2009.
“How is it possible that a person can be addicted to nothing?” This is a fairly common, albeit jazzed-up, sentiment echoed by colleagues of mine. It’s a perplexing idea raised by the ever increasing number of gambling addicts in this world; people who are addicted to the thrill of bright lights, tumbling die, and risking their entire fortunes on a face down card. But can problem gambling really be considered a clinical addiction? As medical centers worldwide pour more and more research into the issue, far more people are inclined to accept that it is.
With the advent of online casinos and poker tournaments, more people are able to both discover and access gambling opportunities conveniently and anonymously. As a greater number of people become gamblers, it’s only reasonable to expect that the number of problem gamblers increases along side it. As both those numbers climb, the credibility behind gambling as a mental disorder does with it.
Many rehabilitation institutions now accept problem gamblers, and even offer a handy list of clues to help people identify gambling addiction within themselves or a loved one. These criteria are largely the only thing problem gambling has in common with its bigger siblings, drug and alcohol abuse. Clues such as “neglected responsibilities”, “long unexplained absences”, and “sudden mood swings/outbursts of anger” are all characteristics of not only problem gambling but problem drinking and drug addiction as well, according to top Canadian and British rehabilitation centers. Of those three addictions, many people gloss over gambling as being comparatively insignificant, and who can blame them? As far as many people are still concerned, being addicted to gambling is nonsense.
The World Health Organization only recognized gambling as a mental health disorder back in 1996, which means that it’s relatively new and peculiar for many people. Considering this fact, we still have yet to figure out exactly what type of problem gambling addiction is, let alone how to go about fixing it. A large part of this has to do with how problem gambling is perceived. Instead of being identified as its own separate issue worthy of special attention, gambling addiction often gets shoehorned into where it doesn’t belong. It can purportedly be treated at the same facilities as alcohol and drug abuse, but those facilities aren’t adequately staffed and stocked to deal with the issue. Only recently has due attention been paid to the subject.
Gambling addictions are difficult to diagnose and even harder to treat, and the chief reason for this is because gambling addictions are not identified by a clear vice or substance like alcohol or drugs. The typical procedure for curing addiction is usually to avow the problem, and be supervised and encouraged by counsellors. With regards to gambling addiction, only the principle remains the same. Problem gambling isn’t as easy to identify as the residual scent of alcohol on someone’s breath. Signs of gambling dependency are largely subtle enough that it takes weeks of missing paycheques and significant financial losses before a person even becomes suspicious that gambling addiction might be the culprit.
Of all the possible addictions, gambling is surely one of the trickiest and most peculiar. It’s currently the subject of much interesting debate in the medical world, and will likely remain as such for years to come.
Dear Andrew
I suppose being a recovering gambler, it is perceivable to state that I really do believe that gambling is a mental disorder. Having being brough up well, I developed this addiction over years. Stress and emotional instability were a contributory factor, amongst other things. Of one thing I am sure – I had stopped recognising myself. I became a Dr Jeckyll and Mr Hyde.
After being hospital in the psychiatric ward for trying to commit suicide, and subsequently attending in-house counselling, I have been clean for 2 years, 2 months and 8 days, with one relapse in between.
It has been a long hard journey, and every day I have to remind myself that I need to strength not to relapse. Were it not a mental disorder, I cannot imagine anyone who works hard for his living, and is suffering serious repercussions of this deadly evil, to still crave for this addiction.
I pray everyday to have enough good-judgment in order to keep on track and stop hurting myself and those dearest to me.