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Gambling addiction
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Gambling addiction

Gambling problems

Gambling as a form of recreation, whether on the horses, on the pokies at clubs or hotels, or at the casino, is very much a part of Australian life. Though only a small proportion of gamblers go on to develop problems, gambling for some can have a major impact on their life.

Incidence

Estimates by Prof Mark Dickerson of the Australian Institute of Gambling Research indicate between one and three per cent of the population have a gambling problem. This is a considerable number, especially as one excessive gambler may affect the lives of several others, such as family, friends and employers. Consequences range from relationship or family breakdown and bankruptcy to criminal activity, potential imprisonment and the possibility of self-harm.

Diagnosing the problem

Diagnostic instruments

Diagnostic instruments used to identify problem and pathological gamblers include the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS, 1978) and the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-III-R, 1987 and DSM-IV, 1994). DSM-IV characterises it as a disorder of impulse control, the essential features of which are a chronic and progressive failure to resist impulses to gamble and gambling behaviour that compromises or disrupts the gambler's life. Accompanying this are features such as mood disorders, stress related medical conditions and personality disorders.

Warning signs

Thus many problem gamblers list stress, anxiety and depression as major symptoms of their gambling behaviour. They associate these symptoms with feelings of despair, dread and worthlessness. Similarly, partners of problem gamblers may present themselves to their GP as suffering from stress and anxiety, which is often related to some kind of financial crisis. They may be heavily in debt, or have no money to live by. If so, this could be a consequence of money lost through their partner's problem gambling. They may express deep resentment, mistrust, and/or concern about their partner's behaviour.

Just bad luck

The gambler, in such situations, may simply see themselves as being unlucky, whilst the partner and family members may see themselves as deprived or neglected. Depression and associated symptoms are most likely to be related to the problem gambler's history of losses, lies, secrets, and broken promises.

What this means for the individual GP is that for a patient presenting with this symptomatology it may be worthwhile exploring, however tentatively, a possible connection with financial pressures and perhaps behind this, a history of excessive gambling. Though it may be difficult for the patient to disclose this kind of information, it is a far more common scenario than is generally recognised.

Available services

Fortunately, a number of specialist services are available in NSW to which problem gamblers and their families may be referred for counselling and support. The Northern Rivers Gambling Service provides a service from Grafton to Tweed Heads. Situated at Binna Burra, near Bangalow, it is a free service funded by the NSW Casino Community Benefit Fund. It is staffed by qualified addiction and financial counsellors and is a best practice model as indicated by recent research. It provides a comprehensive service with individual counselling, specialist financial counselling for gamblers and their partners and relationship counselling for gamblers and families.

Brochures describing the services provided, and referral appointments, can be made by phoning (02) 6687 2520 or faxing (02) 6687 2518.

Barry Evans, Director, The Buttery, Bangalow, NSW 2479, Australia
Peter Hausmann, Addictions counsellor, The Buttery

 For additional gambling resources visit the Australian Medical Association website: http://www.nswama.com.au/gambling/default.htm
Also see the National Responsible Gaming Programme of South Africa website: http://www.responsiblegaming.co.za/index.html

This page was last built on 1/6/2001; 5:24:36 PM. It was originally posted on 22/1/1999; 7:06:35 PM.

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