Gambling Addiction - Assignment Example

Gambling Addiction Introduction Even though gambling is illegal in the majority of the countries of the world, it is being marketed far and wide, andeven on the other Internet. The growing business of gambling according to statistics indicates a significant contribution of approximately $5.7 billion (2004 approximate) from online gambling alone ("Gambling Addiction Is Far-Reaching" 4). This is perhaps the reason why the government turns a blind eye towards this social and psychological problem. Nevertheless, gamblers whether old or young, are addicted to the game of chance. They contribute towards their personal ruin and also affect others in the process. The problem of gambling is bigger than the individual, social group or a community. Understanding and preventing it, is therefore important for the society as well as for the country. Discussion Before one can write about gambling, one must understand the nature of its addiction. Addiction according to Henderson is "a complicated condition, with biological, physiological, psychological, behavioral and spiritual aspects. For this reason it is best to think of...addiction as multifaceted disorders, only one of which is the compulsive use of the addicting substance." (3) Individuals who are addicted (whether to alcohol, drugs, gambling or sex etc.) demonstrate particular behavior such as loss of control over the behavior, and continue to engage in the addiction despite negative consequences (Henderson 4). From a behavioral perspective addiction according to the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th Edition) can be defined as an abuse or dependency which has negative consequences and interferes with important obligations, and causes noticeable distress or significant impairment in functioning. The criteria for dependence also include those that indicate physiological dependence as well as a loss of control as evidenced b repeated unsuccessful attempts to quit or cut down." (Henderson 6). Gambling, according to Collins, is a sequence of activities which involve two or more parties willing to place at risk something of value known as the stakes. They engage in this activity in the hope of wining some of greater value called the prize. The winner or loser is determined by the outcome of events that is known as the result. Gambling by definition does not make the gambler addict. This is because it is essentially a game in which the participants may undertake the activities commercially or in private situations (Collins 15). Gambling is an addiction for some people. Addicted gamblers tend to be "struck by an array of frenetic activity of vast proportion". They are impressed by the studious tasks of playing cards, dice, slot machines, poker, baccarat or blackjack. They are inclined to risk a huge amount of money in order to make more money. This compulsive behavior is developed instantaneously or over time. According to Lester (71) gambling is a process which starts from entering into the gambling situation, waging, observing the outcome and continue with the wager in the hope for better chance. The sequence of activities influences the gambler to continue with the flow or face loss as a consequence. Gambling also induce the "trial" and "error" successive compulsive behavior. This type of compulsive behavior can be explained by the pathological theory. Pathology according to Lester (72) "is a term borrowed from medicine referring to the entire set of circumstances which constitute a diseased condition. If gambling is considered a disease, it is curious that gambling does not produce physiological effects in an individual." (Lester 72). Unlike heroin, alcohol or tobacco addictions, gambling does not result in difficult medical consequences. Instead, gambling is an adaptive medical condition. For this reason Fuller defines gambling as "a reallocation of wealth, on, the basis of deliberate risk, involving gain, to one party and loss to another, usually without the introduction of productive work on either side" (Fuller 12). Thus, the gambler is motivated to engage in a risk taking behavior at an unconscious level. This fixation with risk taking behavior is an obsession. Given the above definition of gambling and addiction, the question that arises is whether addiction to gambling can be controlled. To some gambling can be controlled, if they are not serious players. For serious gamblers it is difficult to control the behavior which often leads the individual to financial and personal ruin ("Controlling Addiction to Gambling" 15). Players are at risk because they are psychological dependent on the sequence and activities of gambling. Thus gambling is an addiction which includes mental preoccupation with the behavior, loss of control and progressive worsening of symptoms ("Controlling Addiction to Gambling" 15). Addicted, gamblers find thrill in risking money and the desire to win more money. They focus on the amounts they hope to win instead of on the amount they are risking. They are willing to chase the larger amount at any cost, and like other addiction can become quite "isolative". Isolative means they suffer from a condition in which they become dissociated from their friends and families ("Controlling Addiction to Gambling" 15). While there are treatment to gambling addiction just like other addicts of other substance and activities, it is difficult to bring these individuals to the treatment frame of mind. Treatment may include group therapy. It can also be treated by enrolling in 12-step programs which offer support network. Gamblers Anonymous is one such organization which involves support group sessions which can be accessed through a phone call away. Similarly, for individuals who are aware of their condition can contact therapists who conduct one-on-one consultation therapy sessions at clinics or hospitals, depending on the individuals pocket or privacy ("Controlling Addiction to Gambling" 15). While gambling is morally defective it continues to be played in private and in commercial settings. Public policy regarding gambling has been established to put a stop to the activity. There is a cause for this type of law because individuals once addicted come out of the habit with difficulty. In America especially the gambling addiction population is growing constantly. It has also entered the Internet where adults and children both are fast becoming pathological gamblers without any laws to curb it. When individuals are hooked on the financial gains derived from casinos, slot machines, keno and lotto, they are willing to risk more each time they gamble (Horn 34). Decades ago, it had been easy to restrict the gambling age to adults with enough financial standing. But today the problem has increased manifolds due to the shift of gambling institutions online. Without any means to foresee who is participating in online gambling games, children are the growing population of addicted gamblers who do not know how to differentiate between the right and wrong of gambling. For this reason, the government is concerned with the law concerning gambling online and offline (Horn 34). As the number of gambling addicts escalates to 30,000 a year in the UK, the consequences of gambling are more than mere pathological disorder of the individual. According to statistics, pathological gambling affect the debt level of the community as well. More serious is the fact when young individuals cheat and steal from their parents, friends and neighbors to meet their desire to gamble. For this reason, the government feels that the gambling addiction problem should be addressed immediately. Rather than promote it as the industry claim it contribute a significant amount to the economy, gambling should be curtailed to stop people from destroying their lives. Conclusion From the above discussion, one understands that gambling is a serious condition which has affected nations around the world. Unlike substance abuse, gambling is a behavioral condition which must be treated through therapy sessions. Individuals need to first of all realize that they are in this addictive condition, and admit that they are diseased before they can be brought about to treatment. There is a misconception that gambling is incurable but this is not true. In fact, gambling addiction like other types of addiction is curable. There are therapy sessions, support groups and individual consultations available for curing addicted gamblers. Moreover, gambling addiction is critical for society as they affect the environment of the local society. With teenagers becoming addicted gamblers, the consequences of gambling addiction is serious. As more and more youngsters become addicted to gambling they would degrade their quality of life, perspective in life and more importantly their future. Unless, gambling is stopped through laws and regulations, it will continue to proliferate to the society, and make people addicted to it. References Author not available, Controlling Addiction to Gambling. USA Today. Volume: 122. Issue: 2587 April 1994: 15. Author not available, Gambling Addiction Fears as Helpline Calls Rise 34%. The Evening Standard, April 2, 2007. Author not available. Gambling Addiction Is Far-Reaching in Its Effects. Daily Herald. April 10, 2006: 4. Collins, Peter. Gambling and the Public Interest. Praeger: Westport, CT. 2003. Fuller, P. "Gambling". In Fuller, P. and Halliday, L. (Eds.): The Psychology of Gambling. New York, Harper and Row Publishers, 1975. Henderson, Elizabeth Connell. Understanding Addiction. University Press of Mississippi: Jackson, MS 2000. Horn, Bernard P. Is There a Cure for Americas Gambling Addiction? USA Today. Volume: 125. Issue: 2624. May 1997: 34+ Lester, David. Gambling Today. Charles C Thomas: Springfield, IL. 1979: 73. Read More