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Gambling Addiction | By Jazzsports.info

By Kianna Smith

Most people find going to a casino and gambling a little bit of money as fun, innocent entertainment, walking away after spending only what they agreed to verbally or mentally. Unfortunately, four to six percent of the population who gamble cannot walk away. These are the people that have a gambling problem and can be classified as a compulsive - or pathological - gambler. This is not something that can be viewed lightly and it negatively affects every single aspect of their lives.

There is a difference between casual or social gambling and pathological gambling. Casual/social gambling is what most people do. Pathological gambling, however, has actually been classified as a disease. It has been defined as a 'disorder of impulse control'. It is both chronic and progressive, but it can also be diagnosed and treated no matter how late into the disease people have gotten.

Doctor's use what is called the Custer Three Phase Model to diagnose pathological gamblers. The winning phase is where they have a winning streak that makes them feel invincible. Subsequently, gamblers feel excited about gambling and begin to up the amount of their bets, sometimes into dangerous territory. The losing phase is where they start to lose, bragging about their wins and finding ways - both legal and illegal - to get more money to gamble. They lie to everyone around them, become withdrawn and usually wind up destitute and broke. The final phase, the desperation phase, is where the compulsive gambler does nothing but gamble and winds up losing everything.

Pathological gambling doesn't just affect the gambler themselves; it affects their family, their career, their financial situation, and more. They can lose their jobs or even be arrested for partaking in illegal activities to fund their habit. Some even commit suicide. And a gambling addiction can start as early as the teenage years.

Gambling is more prevalent around the world today than it used to be and gamblers are finding that it's easier to gamble close to home. Once upon a time they had to travel to cities like Las Vegas or Atlantic City to get their fix. With the onset of online casinos and poker rooms as well as brick and mortar casinos of all variations popping up within driving distance, gamblers who are addicted to the games can now stay close to home.

There are many different programs offered around the world to help people overcome and fight their gambling addiction. If you know someone who is slowly spiraling down the path of a pathological gambling addiction, call your local chapter of Gambler’s Anonymous and see if you can help them before they lost everything.