Problem Gambling Awareness Week

March 6 through March 12 is Problem Gambling Awareness week, presented by the National Council of Problem Gambling (NCPG) and the Association of Problem Gambling Service Administrators (APGSA).

With 48 of the 50 states possessing some form of legalized gambling, the odds of having concerns about gambling or knowing someone with gambling problems, has risen. In most cases people view gambling as a "fun" form of entertainment, but for others, gambling can result in destructive outcomes. Some of these negative consequences include financial, legal, and work concerns, along with estrangement of family and friends. Here are some interesting statistics on gambling from the Mayo Clinic (2005):

• Approximately 85 percent of American adults report having gambled at some point in their lives, and about 60 percent say they've gambled at least once in the past year.
• Gambling results in hundreds of billions of dollars in annual wagers.
• An estimated 2 million American adults become compulsive gamblers within their lifetimes, exhibiting a loss in control over their betting.
• During any year, 4.8 million American adults are considered to be problem gamblers.

The reasons people gamble can be varied. From the euphoria and excitement from the "action", to escaping from problems, gambling has people reliving past gambling experiences, planning the next gambling venture, or preoccupied with ways of finding more money with which to gamble.

Signs and symptoms of problem gambling can include many facets. These include:

• Taking time away from family life or work to gamble
• Gambling in secret
• Gambling with money needed to pay bills
• Constantly thinking about and preparing for gambling sessions
• Wanting to win back gambling losses
• Gambling until you have spent all your money
• Feeling remorseful after gambling

These signs can lead to more serious concerns including borrowing or selling things to gain extra funds, lying, and stealing to cover gambling debts.

Treatment for problem gambling is similar to treatment for other forms of addiction. Therapy and medication have been effective in helping with a gambling concern. Therapy can work at identifying irrational, unhealthy, and negative beliefs about gambling and replacing them with healthy/positive ones. Medications can be helpful at easing some of the anxiety and compulsive behavior associated with gambling addictions.

10 Questions About Gambling Behavior, from the National Counsel on Problem Gambling (2004)

1. Have you gambled longer than you had planned?
2. Have you gambled until your last dollar was gone?
3. Have thoughts of gambling caused you to lose sleep?
4. Have you used your income or savings to gamble while letting bills go unpaid?
5. Have you made repeated attempts to stop gambling?
6. Have you broken the law or considered breaking the law to finance your gambling?
7. Have you borrowed money to finance your gambling?
8. Have you felt depressed or suicidal because of your gambling losses?
9. Have you been remorseful after gambling?
10. Have you gambled to get money to meet your financial obligations?

If you or someone you know answers "Yes" to any of these questions, consider seeking assistance from a professional regarding this gambling behavior.

Who can you contact:
National Problem Gambling HelpLine Network (800.522.4700)
Gamblers Anonymous
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/index.htm

If you think your gambling has gotten out of control, you can seek help. If it is affecting relationships and work, if you have been spending more time, and have been having difficulty cutting back or stopping, help is available for you.

References:
Mayo Clinic, Compulsive Gambling: Overview (2004)
http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=DS00443

National Counsel on Problem Gambling, About Problem Gambling/Pathological Gambling Criteria (2004)
http://www.ncpgambling.org/about_problem/about_problem_pathological.asp?format=print

This material is provided by CIGNA Behavioral Health, Inc. for informational/educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical/clinical advice. Only a healthcare provider can make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment plan. For more information about your behavioral health benefits, you can call the member services or behavioral health telephone number listed on your healthcare identification card.