Gambling Addiction Lecture

1. Paul Springer Ph.D. University of Nebraska - Lincoln Gambling Addiction Lecture

2. What is Gambling? • Anytime you bet money or something of value on an event of uncertain outcome… • The Problem with gambling, is it doesn’t just happen in Vegas anymore. • In fact, all but two U.S. states (Utah and Hawaii) have legalized gambling.

3. Current Gaming Revenues

4. Forms of Gambling

5. Gambling Disorder Criteria (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) • Criteria: • A. Persistent or 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: • 1. Needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement. • 2. Is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling. (withdrawl) • 3. Has made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling.

6. Gambling Disorder Criteria (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) • 4. Is often preoccupied with gambling. • 5. Often gambles when feeling distress. • 6. After losing money gambling, often returns another day to get even. • 7. Lies to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling. • 8. Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling. • 9. Relies on others to provide money to relieve desperate financial situations caused by gambling.

7. Diagnostic Features (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) • Essential feature: disruption of personal, family, and/or vocational pursuits. • “Chasing one’s losses” pattern may emerge • Frequent & long term

8. Development • Typically manifests during middle to late adulthood, however can occur during adolescence. • Those who gamble with family and friends early in life, are at higher risk to develop the disorder earlier, as well as those associated with impulsivity and substance abuse • Generally develops over the course of years, with the gradual increase in both frequency and amount wagered • Gender Differences: • Early-life development occurs more frequently in males. • Females more commonly develop gambling disorder during adulthood. • Tends to develop faster in females than males.

9. Development Continued Video Clip • Younger individuals are more likely to gamble through sports betting, while older individuals will commonly bet through slot machines and bingo. • Type of gambling as well as money wagered do not necessarily suggest a gambling disorder. • Someone who buys a lotto ticket every day, may not have a gambling issue, while someone who attends casinos less frequently might. • Patterns can be regular or episodic, and may increase in times of stress or substance abuse. • People commonly travel through periods of heavy gambling, followed by random long-term remission periods.

10. Risk Factors • Experiencing an early big win. • Easy access to preferred gambling methods • Experienced a recent life change or loss • Divorce, job loss, or death of a loved one • Been abused or experienced trauma • Exhibits risk taking behavior • Feel depressed • History of mental illness. • Has at least one parent with gambling problems • History of substance abuse problems

11. Problem/Pathological Gambling • Note the consequences? • Financial problems • Family struggles • Potential Divorce • Health Issues • Suicide • Depression • Prison Video Clip

12. Problem Gambling • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aQgpcxVtu0

13. Who Gambles? • Research has shown that up to 95% of the population has gambled at one point in their life. • Approximately3% of the population are problem gamblers. • For adolescents and college students the prevalence rate is 6% • The average age of onset for gambling is age 10.

14. What is The Appeal of Gambling? • The 4 “E”s of Gambling • Entertainment–It’s fun • Excitement – association with risk, thrill, and uncertainty • Economic Gain – win money • Escape – from emotional troubles

15. A Hidden Addiction • Approximately 3 million adults meet the criteria for pathological gambling each year. • Unlike alcohol or drug addiction, problem gambling has few outward signs. Source: National Council on Problem Gambling

16. Consequences Video Clip • Significant relationships with family and friends may be effected or lost. • Trust may be broken due to lying and sneaking around. • Employment will be affected, as well as educational activities. • Absences from work or school might increase, as individuals choose to instead gamble during those time periods. • High comorbidity rates with substance use disorders, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders.

17. Rates of Problem Gambling By Age

18. SENIOR CITIZENS • Gambling often starts as a social activity. • Gambling can become a coping mechanism after a life change (death of spouse, loss of friends, etc.) • Seniors may hide problems because of stigma. • Cognitive impairments can affect decision making of some older adults. • Older adults don’t have working years to recover losses

19. COLLEGE-AGE YOUNG ADULTS • Popularity of televised gambling has created excitement and acceptance of gambling. • Young people are three times more likely to suffer from problem gambling than adults. • Strong correlation exists between gambling and alcohol or other drugs. • Source: National Council of Problem Gambling

20. Gambling and College Students • Gambling appears to be the Norm for most College Students • 72% of students in the Alberta sample • 70% of students in the Connecticut sample • 88% of students in the Minnesota sample • However, a Sizable Percentage of College Students show signs of a Gambling Problem! • 3.2%-16.4% of student population

21. Athletes and Gambling: National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Survey • Nearly 70% of male student-athletes reported gambling in the past year versus 47% among females. • About 35% of males and 10% of females admitted to wagering on a sporting event in the past year, which is a direct violation of NCCA bylaws regarding sports wagering. • 20% of males and %5 of females bet on collegiate sporting events in the past year, even though if caught they would be banned from playing at an NCAA school for the rest of their lives. • Source:http://www.gamblinghelp.org.sections/college/inside.html

22. 22% of male athletes and 6% of female student-athletes also admitted betting on football pools or with a bookie (a person who takes bets, typically for illegal activities) • Among Division I, II, and III male student-athletes, 17% were classified as “potential problem gamblers or worse” versus 3% among their female counterparts. • Overall, less than 5% of males and one-half of 1% of females were categorized as problem or compulsive gamblers. • Source:http://www.gamblinghelp.org.sections/college/inside.html

23. Biological Changes in the Brain • Similar to other addictions, research has shown changes in the brain and its brain functioning as a result of problem gambling.

24. Gambling Addiction and the Brain

25. Problem Gambling/Dual Addictions • 30-50% of problem gamblers in treatment are substance abusers. • 10-30% of addicts in treatment are problem gamblers.

26. Consequences of Compulsive Gambling • Suicide • Chasing losses • Change in mood • Loss of Family • Loss of employment

27. The Road to Recovery • Surround yourself with people to whom you are accountable • Avoid Tempting Environments • Give up control of finances (at least initially) • Find exciting & enjoyable activities to replace gambling (fill void)