Addressing adolescent gambling and problem/addictive gambling

Addressing adolescent gambling and problem/addictive gambling Rose Blozinski Executive Director

A Little Bit About Myself…

The WCPG’s Mission Statement • The Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling, Inc. provides resources, public awareness and education on gambling disorders while maintaining strict neutrality on the issue of legalized gambling.

The WCPG…is the only organization in the State of Wisconsin that is dedicated solely to helping those impacted by problem gambling.

WCPG’S Public Awareness Campaign • Statewide Conference • Middle/High School Outreach • Public Relations/Awareness Media Campaign • Awareness of Therapists • Helpline

Public Awareness Campaign(cont.) • Bus Ads • Yellow Pages • Posters • Brochures/Booklets • Bathroom Ads • Billboards

1-800-GAMBLE-5Helpline • The WCPG 24-hour Helpline 1-800-GAMBLE-5 provides information and referrals for gamblers, family members, concerned friends and employers who have financial, legal or other difficulties because of gambling. • The WCPG has a database of qualified treatment providers, Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon chapters to which callers can be referred. • Informational packets of literature can also be mailed to callers. • TEXT LINE: 850-888-HOPE(4673) • CHAT LINE: wi-problelmgamblers.org

2018 Wisconsin Helpline Calls • 13,867 Calls in 2018 • Average Debt Amount: $68,000

Gambling Availability • Legal Gambling in all states except Utah and Hawaii. • 44 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have Lotteries • 37 States have Casinos • 43 States have Pari-mutuel Betting • 38 States have Off Track Betting • 3 States have Online Gambling

It’s not just a game Gamblers, both adults and adolescents gamble for many reasons including: • The potential to win money • Fun and excitement • The “escape” factor • Alleviates feelings of depression and loneliness

People gamble because: • Looking for a way to “get rich quick” • Demand for immediate gratification---inability or unwillingness to control impulses • Boredom • Feeling “disconnected” at home, work, or other social settings • Increased access to gambling opportunities

People Gamble Because(continued) • Seeking Entertainment • Looking for a challenge • Escape

Gambling Statistics

$70 BILLION is lost in legal gambling activities in the U.S. (Taken from “International Gaming and Wagering”)

5-7% of adults

6 to 20 percent of youth are addicted to gambling

20.2% of problem gamblers ages 12-17 also use alcohol weekly (Taken from New York Council on Problem Gambling, Inc.)

12% of teens age 17 have a serious problem with gambling

32% of high school students gamble weekly.

79.1% of 7th graders are involved in some type of gambling.

$200 BILLION a year is spent on illegal gambling activities in the U.S. (Taken from the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, Inc.)

65% of compulsive gamblers commit crimes to finance their gambling.

78% of recovering compulsive gamblers reported thoughts of suicide. (Taken from “WAGER” Weekly Addiction Gambling Education Report)

DEFINITIONS Gambler’s Anonymous definition of gambling: “Any betting or wagering for self or others, whether for money or not, no matter how slight or insignificant, where the outcome is uncertain or depends upon chance or “skill,” constitutes gambling.” ( Gambler’s Anonymous, March 1994, Handbook)

Gambling Disorder – The “Official” Definition • A progressive disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to gamble. A preoccupation with gambling and with obtaining money to gamble. A continuation of behavior despite adverse consequences.

Diagnostic Criteria for Problem Gambling—DSM-5

Gambling Disorder: DSM-5 Criteria A. Persistent and recurrent problematic gambling behavior leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as indicated by the individual exhibiting four (or more) of the following in a 12-month period: • Needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement. • Is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling. • Has made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling. • Is often preoccupied with gambling (e.g., having persistent thoughts of reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble).

Pathological Disorder: DSM-5 Criteria • Often gambles when feeling distressed (e.g., helpless, guilty, anxious, depressed). • After losing money gambling, often returns another day to get even (“chasing” one’s losses). • Lies to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling. • Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling. • Relies on others to provide money to relieve desperate financial situations caused by gambling.

Gambling Disorder: DSM-5 Criteria B. The gambling behavior is not better explained by a manic episode. Specifyif:Episodic: Meeting diagnostic criteria at more than one time point, with symptoms subsiding between periods of gambling disorder for at least several months. Persistent: Experiencing continuous symptoms, to meet diagnostic criteria for multiple years. Specifyif:In early remission: After full criteria for gambling disorder were previously met, none of the criteria for gambling disorder have been met for at least 3 months but for less than 12 months. In sustained remission: After full criteria for gambling disorder were previously met, none of the criteria for gambling disorder have been met during a period of 12 months or longer.

Specify current severity: Mild: 4–5 criteria met. Moderate: 6–7 criteria met. Severe: 8–9 criteria met. From the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (section 312.31).

Three Types of Gambling • Social Gambling • At-Risk Gambling(Problem) • Compulsive Gambling

Compulsive Gambling is: • Hidden disease • No saturation point • Compared to the crack cocaine addiction • Impulse control disorder • Still considered to be a “moral” weakness • Very often accompanied by other disorders • Major depression, mood disorders, antisocial personality disorders, generalized anxiety

Anesthetizes • High suicide rate • Wisconsin-333,000 • Annual Wisconsin Social costs • $307 million

High Risk Groups • Adolescents • Seniors • Dually addicted

Types of Gamblers • ACTION GAMBLERS- • Are primarily men-they gamble at “skill’ games such as poker or other card games, horse and do racing and sports betting • ESCAPE GAMBLERS • Escape gamblers gamble to find relief from feelings of anxiety, depression, anger, boredom or loneliness. Gambling is used to escape from crisis or other difficulties. Provides an analgesic effect.

Did you know adolescent problem gamblers… • Have lower self-esteem compared with other adolescents? • Have higher rates of depression and report higher suicidal tendencies and attempts?

Know The Risk Research has shown that gambling has been linked with other categories of high-risk behavior. Research has shown a connection between gambling and substance abuse, ruined credit, problems with the law and suicide.

Know the facts • In the past 10 years, the number of teens ages 12 to 17 reporting serious gambling problems has increased from 50 to 66 percent. • Early involvement in gambling now precedes the expected onset for use of cigarettes, hard liquor and marijuana.

Know The Facts(continued) • Youth who exhibit problem gambling behavior are more likely to report illegal activities, problems with the law, poorer school performance and more truancy.

Fact: • Adolescents are two to four times more likely than adults to have a gambling problem. • Social gambling can quickly move to problem gambling. • People with other addictions are at higher risk to become addicted to gambling. • Studies have indicated that kids who gamble are more likely to drink, carry a gun and fight. • Suicide rates are 20 times higher among pathological gamblers compared to non-gamblers.

Profile of the Typical Gambler • Successful • Motivated • Intelligent(often I.Q. 115-120 or higher) • Competitive • History of good or excellent performance at school or work • Alcohol or Substance abuse has not been a part of regular behavior

Profile(continued) • No longer participates in hobbies or extracurricular activities • Holds high expectations of self and others-perfectionist • Bored easily in social settings-looks for new situations to keep up feelings

Consequences of Compulsive Gambling • Alienation from family and friends • Loss of educational or career opportunities • Participating in illegal activities to prolong gambling • Depression or other mood changes • Panic attack • Suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts

Possible Signs of Problem Gambling • Increasing the frequency and amount of money gambled. • Spending excessive amounts of time gambling at the expense of job or family. • Pre-occupation with gambling or with obtaining money to gamble. • Secretive behavior.

Signs of Gambling(continued) • Borrowing or stealing money to gamble. • Missing important events or sneaking out of them to gamble. • Arguing with friends or family about gambling. • Thinking that most problems would be solved by getting a big win.

Signs of Gambling(continued) • Bragging about wins, not talking about losses. • “Chasing” • Thinking that the odds can be outsmarted. • Disappearing for long periods of time.

Progression of Gambling Disorder Winning Growth Big Win Chasing Losing Rebuilding Borrowing Desperation Stealing Critical Hopelessness

Co-Occurring Disorders • Depression • Bi-Polar • Suicide • Anxiety Disorders • Panic Attacks • Phobias

Co-Occurring Disorders • Substance Abuse • Alcoholism • Drug Addiction • ADHD • Personality Disorders • Antisocial Personality Disorder

Similarities Acquired tolerance Inability to stop Denial and rationalization Progression (phases/stages) Depression, anxiety/mood swings Chasing the first win/high First drink/first win remembered Blackouts/brownouts High of gambling not unlike cocaine rush

Addressing adolescent gambling and problem/addictive gambling