February 14, 2011

Gambling Addiction Australia

Its not really about the machine or the money, it is about the individual and what gambling offers to them

Addictive behaviours include alcohol, gambling, drugs, and sex. Whilst these are quite different manifestations of an underlying problem, their origin can be similar – for example providing an  avenue of escape from present or past torment. 
Successful therapy for each behavior can also follow similar lines and includes counselling, and support and relapse prevention groups , which we run at Enough is Enough Anti Violence, Sydney (ring 02 9542 4029 for details). 


Following is an article about gambling addiction, which is second only to alcohol addiction in the havoc it wreaks on people’s lives.


Gambling Addiction Australia

by Robert Mittiga, Addiction /Codependency Therapist

Gambling addiction is the new disease sweeping through our society today, causing more destruction, human brokenness, family disintegrations, suicides, financial ruin, crime and spiritual bankruptcy than any other addictions in our society today, next to alcohol addiction. Gambling addiction is affecting every sector of our population, and discriminates against no one.

What is gambling addiction? 

Clinically, gambling addiction is known as Pathological Gambling Disorder. It has specific diagnostic criteria, and it has a biological effect similar to that seen in cocaine addiction. This is now a scientifically proven fact in the most recent neurological research into Pathological Gambling and addiction.

So why has gambling addiction become a major public health problem in our society? Well this is simple, massive accessibility. A more in depth look reveals other serious reasons behind this question. 


Firstly, only 10% of the problem is directly related to the gambling itself, or money, it is about the individual and what gambling offers to them. Ninety percent of gambling addiction today comes from Electronic Gaming Machines or what is commonly referred to as “pokies”. These machines have the addictive properties similar to heroin or “crack cocaine”. For the individual predisposed to addiction, these machines provide high risk of swift and severe addiction. 


Many individuals I have seen become severely addicted to this form of gambling within 6 months of first playing the machines. They display the severity of addiction similar to heroin and cocaine addicts, along with similar withdrawal symptoms, once they choose to stop. Also the suicide rate is 5 times greater than any other addiction


So we are talking about a very serious public health problem. Unfortunately most of the general society in Australia still sees gambling addiction as some form of moral weakness or some flaw in some human beings. This is sadly is a big mistake.
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How it begins?

Gambling addiction, like drug and alcohol addiction begins with intensely negative childhood experiences that predispose the individual to high levels of negative affect. This, in turn, leads to various escape routes, some of which include addictive behaviours. In many recent studies, most individuals affected by Pathological Gambling endorsed dissociative items more frequently. These items referred to feeling like a different person while gambling, feeling in a trance after a period of gambling, feeling outside oneself while gambling, and experiencing memory blackouts after a period of gambling.


Some of the underlying issues linked to gambling addiction, are similar to those found with drug and alcohol addiction. They include sexual and physical child abuse, emotional and spiritual abuse, domestic violence issues, childhood neglect and general family of origin disfunctionallity. The result of these issues in childhood creates a retardation of emotional development being carried into adulthood. 


Gambling, as with any other addictive behaviour, provides the escape or coping mechanisms for the individual. This however only works for a short period of time usually, and eventually creates more pain, thus leaving the individual with more and more need to escape or medicate with the gambling behaviour, until finally they cross the biological threshold of full blown addiction. At this point serious and irreversible alteration of brain chemistry occurs


The individual generally will continue on this process until an intervention of some sort occurs. Usually this will only happen when the individual is in great despair, with usually financial and emotional crisis. Unfortunately some people see suicide as the only way out, and there is plenty of evidence to back that up, with many clients reporting attempts of suicide prior to seeking treatment.


Some of the indicators of Pathological Gambling:

1. Preoccupation with gambling (e.g., preoccupation with reliving past gambling experiences, planning the next venture, or thinking of ways to get money to gamble)


2. Need to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired level of excitement


3. Has repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop gambling


4. It restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling


5. Gambles as a way of escaping from problems, painful emotions, or to relieve a dsyphoric mood (feelings of helplessness, anxiety, guilt or depression)


6. After losing money gambling, often returns another day to get even (chasing ones loses)


7. Lies to family members, therapist or others to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling


8. May commit illegal acts such as forgery, fraud, theft, or embezzlement to finance gambling


9. Jeopardized or lost significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling


10. Relies on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation because of gambling
If you answer Yes to at least 5 or more criteria, then it is probable you have Pathological Gambling Disorder. We would strongly encourage you to seek professional help immediately. Pathological Gambling is treatable and recovery is possible. However there must be a strong desire for change before recovery can be effective.

Treatment

Treatment includes first breaking the addictive cycle, followed by emotional work and cognitive corrective work, and finally spiritual work. Real recovery from gambling addiction will take most individuals up to 2 years of solid work to achieve a high level of healthy ongoing recover after abstinence from gambling is achieved. Unfortunately there are no “quick fixes” and a controlled return to gambling is not an option for the clinically diagnosed Pathological Gambler.




13 comments:

  1. A book I proofread only a few weeks ago has since changed my life and I am promoting to all my patients for not only addiction but to help answer the unbarable search that is at the root of all that ails us as human beings. The search for meaning and understanding and purpose. I tell you I have never read a book quit like this one. Do yourself a favor and help yourself not only with addiction but with life in general. THE TRUTH "The Illumination of Conscience" book by author Jeff Simoneaux www.thetruthbooksite.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dr Jenkins i appreciate this blog very much i have struggled with my own demons more than 10 yrs now and although it is widely publicised that there is so much HELP OUT THERE I DISAGREE FROM MY EXPERIENCE THAT IS ......IT IS WHAT DRIVES THE INSANE BEHAVIOUR OF ONE WHO IN ALL OTHER AREAS OF LIFE APPEARS A HEALTHY INTELLIGENT ADULT. I WILL GO SEEK THE BOOK YOU MENTION,, MANY THANKS XX

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  2. You made some decent points there. I looked on the internet for the issue and found most individuals will go along with with your website.
    Gambling problem

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is a good post, I will be sharing this in our session today!!!

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  4. The tips provided by you regarding pathological gambling are very useful......Thanks for post.

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  5. I am a student working on my BA degree and plan on getting my PSYD. the topic I do the most research on has been gambling. I just got done doing paper on gambling and impact on families. and now working on a paper gambling and the increase rates of suicide. Do you have any sugesstions on other topics I could research with gambling?

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  6. Nice Post!You have share good tips for gambling.This is such a nice post.keep it up.Thanks for sharing

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  7. Too much of anything can be a bad thing. Sometimes we have to be responsible when it comes to online gaming. Excessive gambling can lead to financial catastrophe.


    free bingo games

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  8. I appreciated your research on this topic because gambling addiction is increasing very fastly in all over the society. Its a interesting game if we play it sincerely.

    Gambling

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  9. I read the article about gambling addiction at __www.arizonadreamtruecrimestory.typepad.com____, and I would like to add a few things. The gambling addiction overshadows alcohol addiction for the following reasons.
    First, unlike alcohol addiction, gambling addiction is a hidden
    disease, and it can be quite a while until people who care about you realize something is wrong. More importantly, you deny yourself that you're having a problem even if somebody wants to help you.
    Second, if you are predisposed to gambling, most likely you be
    predisposed to drink alcohol. The main reason for that is because of the
    environment(casino), and at the blink of an eye you can have a drink in front of you. On the other hand, if you are an alcoholic, your first goal will be to get drunk, and everything else is secondary. In other words, if your main goal is to gamble, you'll most likely drink too, but if your first objective is to get drunk, there is a slight change you'll gamble.
    And lastly, unlike alcohol, gambling will bring you a financial destruction no matter how much money you make.
    So to start fighting the addiction, first recognize the problem, and admit you need help. Because if you are not willing to help yourself, nobody else will help you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I read the article about gambling addiction at ___Gambling Australia. and I would like to add a few things. The gambling addiction overshadows alcohol addiction for the following reasons.
    First, unlike alcohol addiction, gambling addiction is a hidden
    disease, and it can be quite a while until people who care about you realize something is wrong. More importantly, you deny yourself that you're having a problem even if somebody wants to help you.
    Second, if you are predisposed to gambling, most likely you be
    predisposed to drink alcohol. The main reason for that is because of the
    environment(casino), and at the blink of an eye you can have a drink in front of you. On the other hand, if you are an alcoholic, your first goal will be to get drunk, and everything else is secondary. In other words, if your main goal is to gamble, you'll most likely drink too, but if your first objective is to get drunk, there is a slight change you'll gamble.
    And lastly, unlike alcohol, gambling will bring you a financial destruction no matter how much money you make.
    So to start fighting the addiction, first recognize the problem, and admit you need help. Because if you are not willing to help yourself, nobody else will help you.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Its really amazing to play the online games and that to for free…its a good time pass.Many people have got addicted to it especially children.Ya i agree that when we reach to certain level we want to purchase extra skills, levels or accessories.But its totally our choice.

    ReplyDelete
  12. During a crisis intervention, family and friends are in attendance and can help persuade an individual to get the help that they require, while being guided by a professional. When there is a positive outcome with a crisis intervention, the individual suffering gets the necessary treatment help immediately.Addiction Intervention

    ReplyDelete