Gambling Addicition - Research Paper Example

Gambling Addiction Introduction Addiction of Gambling is recognized as problem concerning with the mental health of an individual and an individual suffering from this problem fails to control his impulse. People suffering from this disorder may indulge in betting money or other assets in various forms of games such as horse races (Lawrence 1). Those who suffer from this disorder may choose the venue they want to conduct gambling activities on their own. Gambling settings range from online as well as offline casinos, sports grounds, horse race grounds and various others. Those individuals who suffer from this disorder are even referred to be suffering from gambling that is compulsive and pathological in nature. Prevalence Gambling and excessive gambling disorder is highly experienced by the population of US, this issue is so huge that it has even caught the attention of different media outlets and several movies, novels and stories such as “The Rocking Horse Winner” has been created regarding the subject (Lawrence 1). According to statistics provided by PHSY, men participate more in gambling than the female gender, around 80% of the population of US is involved in gambling per year and around 5% of them are suffering from gambling disorders, while this issue even prevails among the young adults of America (Phys 1). In a short story named “The Rocking-Horse Winner”, Lawrence states that Paul, who is young, tends to gamble with the assistance of his/her pocket money (Lawrence 1). Causes There are various reasons due to which individuals end up gambling aggressively and excessively. No single reason for excessive gambling have been found and regarded as the only reason of compulsive gambling. According to observations, individuals who experience treatment for Parkinson’s diseases and are even treated for the syndrome of restless leg are involved in the act of compulsive gaming (Thomas 400). This is because the medication used to treat these diseases, dopamine is said to be the culprit. Another reason due to which individuals get involved in this sort of gambling is bipolar disorder, this is because the symptom of excessive spending which even occurs in the case of excessive gambling is experienced by individuals suffering from bipolar disorder (Thomas 401). There are several other reasons that have been associated with excessive gambling, these causes are even associated with other mental health issues. These causes include: stressors that are social in nature, the way an individual may think and individuals are even said to be biologically vulnerable towards such activities (Aasved 76). Individuals suffering from other mental issues such as schizophrenia and those who consume illegal substances are at a higher risk of developing this disorder. Symptoms There are several symptoms that may help in diagnosing whether an individual is a gambling addict or not, these symptoms are even suffered by individuals suffering from other cognitive health diseases. Compulsive gamblers tend to be preoccupied by with subject of gambling. They may be involved for a longer period of time, thinking about their previous won/lost games, future games and how they might strategize and play future games and they may be involved in thinking about methods of securing money in order to gamble more. For example: Lawrence states in his book that Paul spends huge amount of time in his rocking horse in order to determine the name of the winner of the next horse race (Lawrence 1). These individuals may even be found thinking regarding attaining more money so they can obtain the set targets and outcomes of enjoyment that they experience through gambling. These individuals may continue to gamble even if they fail repeatedly or even turn out to be successful most of the times. These individuals may even experience anger as well as exhibit irritated behavior if they are told to stop their gambling activity or if they themselves try to put an end to it. Individuals even tend to gamble when they are suffering unrelated problems and they find a way to divert their minds from those problems through gambling. Individuals may even tend to hide their excessive gambling activities from those who are close to them and may even not report such activities to people who can help. These individuals even tend to indulge in criminal activities such as stealing money in order to gain funds for their gambling activities. Treatment There is a lack of a standard method through which compulsive gambling disorder can be treated. Individuals can solve their problem of pathological gambling joining support groups which can prove to be very helpful if the gambler obtains psychotherapy from a trained professional. During psychotherapy sessions, gamblers and their disorder of pathological gambling has been treated in a much better manner when professionals use the method of cognitive behavioral approach to treating such patients (Derevensky 187). Different medications have even helped people suffering from this disorder. These medications have helped a patient by controlling his/her urges to gamble more or controlling the excitement that an individual may obtain through gambling. These medications include: medications that are ant seizure in nature, such as: carbamazepine, medication used to stabilize mood swings, medications that are especially designed to address the issue of addiction (Derevensky 187). The method of psychotherapy has been able to be more successful as compared to medications; other methods such as counseling regarding financial issues of an individual may even prove to be helpful. If individuals are using illegal manner or conducting criminal activity to obtain finances for their gambling activity, their criminal activity needs to be attended in order to restrict them from attaining finances for gambling purposes and this may even prove to be helpful. Side Effects of Compulsive Gambling Several individuals so get out of the issue of compulsive gambling, but there are many who fail to find a way out an end up ruining their entire life. The individuals who are experiencing this disorder are not only the ones who experience the negative effects of their activities, even those who are near them and dependant on them are impacted in a negative manner. Huge amount of money is spending by excessive gamblers in their gambling activities and due to this excessive spending; they end up with the burden of repayment of loans. Individuals may experience financial issues such as increased debt and lack of money to provide for their families. Individuals may even start participating in illegal activities in order to located finances for their gambling addiction. Those individuals who may be burdened due to failure to repayment of loan may even experience thoughts of committing suicide and they may even get involved in the act. Evans quotes in her book that households that have an individual suffering from this disorder may report activities such as child abuse and violence at their homes (Evans 75). The stress experienced by parents who are compulsive gamblers may even be experienced by children and these children may even develop similar behavior or other unhealthy activities such as abuse of substance. Excessive gambling is ruining the society and the issue needs to be addressed and those suffering from this disorder should attain assistance. Conclusion The prevalence of addictive gambling is quite high in the American society, with as many as 5% of the gamblers are suffering from this disorder. There are several risk factors associated with this disorder, both nature and nurture has a role to play. These gamblers may tend to hide their activities from others and continue to gamble even if they experience huge losses. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the best way to treat such patients; there are even medications for the treatment of such patients. Excessive gambling does not only hurt the patient, it even hurts the loved ones of these patients. Works Cited Aasved, Mikal J.. The biology of gambling. Springfield, Ill.: Charles C. Thomas, 2003. Print. Are you a gambling statistic? New 'expert summary' highlights the prevalence of problem gambling in the U.S.." Phys.org - Science News, Technology, Physics, Nanotechnology, Space Science, Earth Science, Medicine. N.p., 9 May 2012. Web. 18 Apr. 2013. . Derevensky, Jeffrey L., and Rina Gupta. Gambling Problems in Youth. New York: Springer Science + Business Media, Inc., 2005. Print. Evans, Kimberly Masters. Gambling: what's at stake?. 2005 ed. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson/Gale, 2005. Print. Lawrence, DH . "Rocking Horse Winner, by DH Lawrence." Enter Dowse. N.p., 1 Jan. 1966. Web. 18 Apr. 2013. . Thomas, A, L Bonanni, F Gambi, Iorio A. Di, and M Onofrj. "Pathological Gambling in Parkinson Disease Is Reduced by Amantadine." Annals of Neurology. 68.3 (2010): 400-4. Print. Read More