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Understanding Compulsive Gambling
A compulsive gambler can't control their impulse to gamble even when their behavior is negatively impacting themselves & their family.
There are specific behavior patterns associated with compulsive gambling.
Gamblers who recognize these patterns can cope with their addiction and recover a life free of gambling. Recovery programs offer help, guidance and healing.
AN ADDICTIVE DISORDER
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Compulsive gambling is an addictive disorder. Experts speak of it as a “disorder of impulse control.”
Compulsive gamblers are unable to control their chronic gambling. An emotional dependency exists. Such gamblers are usually impulsive, obsessive and irrational. They will gamble against all odds. For a compulsive gambler, to roll the dice, pick a number or play a hand becomes more important than family, home or work.
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Not all people who gamble are addicted.
There are some characteristic behaviors that may help you recognize when gambling has become compulsive.
ASK YOURSELF – DO YOU OR SOME ONE YOU KNOW:
• spend a lot of time gambling or thinking about it?
• increase your bets to “catch up”?
• boast about your winnings?
• gamble to feel good?
• have frequent or unexplained absences
• keep your gambling behavior a secret?
• experience mood swings -high when winning, low when losing?
• keep hidden funds or take out secret “loans” from family bank accounts?
• lie about the source of financial problems?
THE ADDICTION PROCESS
People who are becoming compulsive gamblers go through 3 phases of addiction:
1. Winning
2. Losing
3. Desperation
The Winning Phase
Gamblers win, lose, and break even - often.
In this phase, the winning and losing seems an adventure.
Gamblers get their “thrills.” Excitement predominates. Worries disappear.
The Losing Phase
Gamblers begin losing more than they win.
Self esteem ebbs.
The gambler may borrow money to “get even.”
More time is spent gambling to recover losses and repay loans. A roller coaster ride begins:
The stakes and the takes increase; but the losses come faster, and the spiral down is a fearsome thing.
The Desperation Phase
Gambling becomes a full-time obsession.
Life centers around “getting even” and paying off debts, often with borrowed or stolen money.
Lies and secret loans abound. Still greater risks are taken. Depression becomes chronic.
A FAMILY AFFAIR
Compulsive gambling harms marriages and family life. The gambler’s obsession steals time and attention away from the gambler’s spouse and children. Feeling abandoned, his or her loved ones experience problems of a sense of self-worth and may suffer bouts with depression.
The family unit can unravel. As the disease progresses, the gambler’s work life also suffers. Work, it seems, begins to interfere with gambling.
The gambler is often late to work, takes long lunches, uses the phone excessively or reads sports literature while working. All these are characteristic of the compulsive gambler.
All are symptoms of the gambler’s compulsive, uncontrolled pursuit of the big gamble.
Source: Parlay International
Photo from The Printshop
RESOURCES
Remember that help is just a phone call away!
If you think your gambling has gotten out of control, you’ve already taken the first step toward recovery - you’ve recognized the problem.
Check to see if your company offers a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
STATE OF CT
Bettor Choice & Problem Gambling Services
POSITIVE DIRECTIONS
Bob Vietro
420 Post Road, West
Westport, CT 06880
203-227-7644, ext. 126 (All referrals)
info@positivedirections.org
CONNECTICUT RENAISSANCE
Melodie Keen
4 Byington Place.
Norwalk, CT 06852
141 Franklin Commons
Stamford, CT
203-866-2541, ext. 3005 (All referrals)
melodie@ctrenaissance.com
RECOVERY NETWORK OF PROGRAMS
Lucinda DuBois
480 Bond Street
Bridgeport, CT 06610
203-366-5817, ext 100 (All referrals)
If after 5pm, please ask for extension 109.
Lucinda.Dubois@rnpinc.org
SPANISH SPEAKING SERVICES
CASA (Chemical Abuse Services Agency)
Intake Coordinator: 203-339-4112
ddejesus@casaincct.org
STATE OF NY
NY COUNCIL ON PROBLEM GAMBLING
Gambling Helpline Assistance
1-877-8-HOPENY
http://www.nyproblemgambling.org/
The information in this article is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is not intended to be patient education, does not create any patient provider relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.
Please consult your health care provider for an appointment, before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition.
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Linda Ziac is the owner and founder of The Caregiver Resource Center. Linda founded her company in October 1990, and provides concierge case management and advocacy services for seniors, people with special needs and families.
Linda’s professional career spans 39 years in the health and mental health field as a CT Licensed Professional Counselor, CT Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Board Certified Case Manager, and Board Certified Dementia Practitioner.
Linda’s role is to work with the client, their family and healthcare professionals to help assess, plan for and implement ways to allow for their greatest degree of health, safety, independence, and quality of life. We are often asked to help when a person is taken to the ER, is in the hospital, or there is a need to help assess and implement a plan to address a person’s day to day needs.
This process involves identifying a client’s abilities and needs, and helping to design a care plan (road map) that is composed of a spectrum of services, that best meets the unique needs of that particular client. A client and their family select the services that they want, and they only pay for those services.
