Gambling Terminology Paper
Cheryl Dizly
ICDC College
In this paper, I will discuss my understanding of the differences between problem and pathological gambling as well as the differences in treatment. Research states that gambling began in the early 1600’s to the mid 1800’s (library.ca.gov). My readings have revealed that gambling, which can be defined as a game in which one can “win or lose money or possessions” (Merriam-Webster, 2015) initially started out as a form of recreation, however, in time it developed into a problem for some individuals.
Due to certain behaviors and the negative impact on an individual’s life that came about from gambling, this game or recreational activity was viewed as being a problem that could be
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identified as an addiction. Because there are varying degrees of addiction, the medical field determined that gambling problems could be classified as a diagnosis and placed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV). Although there are many terms that can describe gambling problems, the two that will be discussed in this paper and that have been placed in the DSM-IV, are problem gambling and pathological gambling. Problem gambling is denoted by an individual’s growing absorption of gambling that leads to a loss of control that eventually negatively impacts the individual’s finances, relationships, physical well-being, and employment.
“Pathological gambling is medically defined in both the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) and the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision (ICD-10) as being unable to resist impulses to gamble, which can lead to severe personal or social consequences.” (ICDC College, 2014)
Although problem gambling and pathological gambling are both behavioral addictions, there are slight differences in the two. The DSM has a set criteria to diagnose someone with a gambling disorder. A problem gambler must meet three or four of the nine listed criteria, whereas a pathological gambler must meet five or more of the DSM criteria. The other difference is that the problem gambler’s gambling problem is not as severe as the pathological gambler, but the problem gambler has the potential to progress to the level of severity of the pathological gambler if treatment is not
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sought. There is treatment to address problem gambling and pathological gambling disorders.
Because studies have found that “gamblers hold erroneous thoughts concerning the outcome of the game…” (Lachance, 2007) their ideology perpetuated their behavior as made evident in their continuance to excessively gamble. Because gambling disorders are behavioral addictions, cognitive behavioral therapy is one form of treatment used to treat individuals with gambling addictions.
The goal of cognitive behavioral therapy is to “teaches problem gamblers how to fight gambling urges, deal with uncomfortable emotions rather than escape through gambling, and solve financial, work, and relationship problems caused by the addiction.” (helpguide.org) As in substance abuse treatment, treatment for gambling should be tailored to meet the unique and individual needs of the person. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one form of treatment that would be beneficial for both problem gambling and pathological gambling since it’s goal is to address the thoughts that are behind the behaviors.
In conclusion, gambling can escalate into a problem which can also progress into a pathological gambling problem. Problem gambling and pathological gambling can disrupt an individual’s life and cause severe problems. They are both diagnosed in the DSM. The good news is there is treatment for this problem and recovery is possible if treatment is sought treatment efforts are maintained by the
individual. References Help Guide. (2015, September). Retrieved November 12, 2015, from helpguide.org: http://www.helpguide.org/articles/addiction/gambling-addiction-and-problem-gambling.htm History of Gambling in the United States. (n.d.). Retrieved November 9, 2015, from www.library.ca.gov: http://www.library.ca.gov/crb/97/03/Chapt2.html ICDC College. (2014). Retrieved November 12, 2015, from icdc.mrooms.net: http://icdc.mrooms.net/course/view.php?id=9570 (2007). In R. L. Lachance, Overcoming Pathological Gambling (pp. 5-6). New York: Oxford University Press, Inc. Merriam-Webster. (2015). Retrieved November 12, 2015, from merriam-webster.com: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gamble
Addiction is something that may seem inevitable, but at the end it’s entirely the fault of a person who is addicted. In the article, “the power of habit” by Charles Duhigg, it states how Angie Bachmann became addicted to gambling and how it was entirely her fault because she kept accepting the offers from casinos and many other reasons. Both the casino and Angie knew what they were doing by Angie letting herself get into the situation and the casino encouraging it. She started out as a well-settled housewife. When everybody left the house, she ended up all alone without having much to do. Because of this, one day, as she was passing through the streets, she decided to visit a casino for a change. “She knew gambling could lead to trouble, so
Expanding gambling can increase gambling addiction. Compulsive gambling addiction is a social issue that is related to gambling. In the past, compulsive gambling was thought of as an issue or behavior for adults. However, “today’s youth are the first generation to grow up in a society where gambling is legal, easily accessible, and in most cases government supported” (Monaghan & Derevensky 537). Gambling is often advertised in the media as a quick and easy way to “get rich” and is rarely seen
The therapy is very active and it usually includes assignment of homework, feedback, and direction from the therapist. Once perceptions are identified, clients are directed to alternative ways of thinking, which, in theory, will lead to reduced gambling or improved control over gambling. One of the common exercise is to describe risky life situations that might trigger relapse. Once identified, the therapist and the client will create a problem-solving approach on how to avoid or handle that situation.
Addictions, whether they be alcohol, drugs or even gambling have long been viewed as a badge of ignominy for those that have been plagued by it. Factors such as biological, social and psychological are all considered to be influential in the causation and intensification of addictive behaviors. However, even though these components of the biopsychosocial model are communicated, there are still negative societal perspectives when it concerns the realm of addiction.
Addiction is something that may seem inevitable but at the end it’s entirely the fault of a person who is addicted. In the article by Charles Duhigg ‘the power of habit’ Angie Bachmann got addicted to gambling, it was because of her fault as she kept accepting the offers from cassino and many other reasons.. Both knew what they were doing but still Angie let herself get into the situation, and the casino encouraged it. She was a well settled housewife, when everybody used to leave the house she was all alone. One fine day, while passing through the street she took a visit to casino just for a change.
According to The National Gambling Impact Study Commission, the estimated report is that nearly 15 million men, women and children have a problem or pathological addiction to gambling. Problem gambling can be defined in many ways, it can be viewed as a addiction or a behavioral problem that can lead to family and psychosocial problems as well. In the story The Rocking Horse Winner, the topic of gambling addiction is illustrated through the theme of luck, greed and the overall impact of the addiction. From the start of the story, Paul's has a complicated life with a mother who loved money more than her children and in the end, Paul's desire of wanting to feel loved led to his excessive gambling addiction resulted in his death. Nonetheless, in recent studies, it's been shown that there is a direct relationship between society's stance on gambling behavior and the occurrence of family and psychosocial problems.
Today in America, Gambling can be a matter of life and death; not just to adults, but to their kids as well. Gambling has been growing since day one and it is still going strong today; and not just through casinos but on the internet as well. People usually turn to gambling because they think it is their one way ticket to being rich or earning some extra cash for themselves, but in reality it could be their one way ticket to the bottom. It may be true that gambling helps the economy, but is helping the economy worth someone’s life. With gambling today, people should know that it is not the answer to any of their problems; it was never the answer to their problems back when it first started in America in the 1600’s, though it may be the answer for the economy now with all of its problems or natural disasters, but it certainly is not the answer to go online and gamble.
The first part of the video describes Pat, a 64-year-old retired field technician for a gas company. After he retired, he had a good deal of time on his hands and started to gamble frequently. After a year or two, he was going to the casino every day. Since seeing a woman hitting a progressive slot machine with a payout of 350,000, he became obsessed. Dr. Fong, an addiction psychiatrist, mentions, “40-50% of the risk to develop a gambling addiction comes from genetics.” I was taken by surprise to hear that such a high percentage comes from genetics. Come to find out, Pat’s father had an addictive personality as well. I was surprised by the fact that, after Pat had the realization of what he has done to his family, he seeks out help himself
Gambling addiction is a unique addiction that can sneak up on just about anyone. Just about everyone has the urge to gamble or make a wager on something they
The syllabus for the course Cross-Cultural Interpretations of Gambling Addiction, PSFA 381, provides course information, materials, and keys to success in this course. The syllabus states specific due dates for Self Assessments, which are short responses dealing with the assigned readings or films provided by the professor through blackboard. The due dates for the Self Assessments are: 9/3, 9/17, 9/24, 10/1, 10/15, 10/29, 11/5, 11/19, 12/3, 12/10. The Self Assessments are due by 11:59 pm on the due dates. The syllabus also states specific due dates for exams, the exams are based on online course materials. The exam dates are: 9/4, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/16, 10/30, 11/6, 11/20, 12/4, 12/11. The exams are offered for a 24 hour
Gambling is defined in Webster’s New World Dictionary as to play games of chance for money or some other stake, or to take a risk in order to gain some advantage. He talks about problem gambling and pathological gambling. Problem gambling is gambling that disrupts one’s life. How to determine the boundaries of that are not too clear. Pathological gambling is a more severe problem gambling that is considered a medical impulse disorder. It affects one’s personal, social, or financial life. With pathological gambling many people gamble away life savings, commit crimes in order to pay off debts, and even commit suicide because they have nothing
As previously mentioned, the issue at the center of the controversy or debate is morality or ethics. Morality or ethics has been at the heart of controversies regarding gambling because some people consider it as unethical. The consideration of gambling as an immoral act is largely attributed to religious beliefs and stigma of obtaining money relatively for nothing. Moreover, the ethical dilemmas and concerns associated with gambling is brought by the emergence of problem gamblers who account for nearly 2.1 percent of total number of gamblers (Kannon, 2012). Therefore, ethical concerns and dilemmas in gambling are fueled by the inherently sinful attitude about the activities, which generate a classical ethical problem from an individual level
Gambling is serious problem for many people in the United states. Most people have become addicted to gambling. They have lost their jobs and families because of their devotion to this “sport.” Gambling is a competitive addicting game where you bet money in hopes of getting more. It is very rare for example if a person wins the lottery. The powerball was an example of gambling because people paid for the tickets in hopes of winning it. Only four people in the world won the powerball and the rest of the world we're just gambling victims. People gamble in many different ways. There are casinos in Las vegas that are packed with money hungry people every day. They use machines and play games while betting their money for prizes. Another way of gambling is when there is a football game on television and you put your money on a certain team that you think is gonna win. Most teens gamble by playing cards. Gambling can cause poverty not only to an individual but to a society. Gamblers have a lot of debt that many times they cannot pay back. Some of these incidents are dangerous because the people who gamble are criminals.
wrote the autobiographical novel, The Gambler (1866), which fascinatingly explained the psychology of problem gambling. The tone of the vast majority of media and cinematic examinations has little changed since the relarse of the movie The Gambler, 1974, which portrayed the disastrous effects of habitual gambling’s upon the life of an otherwise levelheaded college professor. Gambling was extensive in Ancient Rome and France, it was prevalent over 3,000 years ago in Egypt and 5,000 years ago in China. Nevertheless, what is new is the comparative capability to assess and analyze the arguments both of those who claim that the ills of gambling overshadow the benefits and of those who are of the opinion that the cost benefit imbalance is the other way round..
Gambling addiction is an issue found in numerous areas where gambling is legal. People who are addicted to gambling, also know as problem gamblers, face many health risks including depression, suicidal thoughts, loss of sleep, loss of appetite, migraine and anxiety in addition to marriage breakdown, problems at work and bankruptcy (9). About 2 percent of adults are thought to be problem gamblers (1). In today’s society this costly addiction is not often considered to be a common problem among those who gamble. Only a small amount of states in the U.S. give enough attention toward this rising problem of people that are sometimes even willing to commit crimes just to aid their addiction. In the past our government has sought out a few solutions that help those who have developed an addiction and prevent a further increase in the number of people becoming addicted. Personally, my outlook on the problem is that it needs a better solution. I think that a higher funding to gambling addiction clinics, more ordinance and restriction laws, and more prevention and awareness programs should bee brought into consideration in order to lower the amount of people who become addict to gambling.