Problem gambling: Difference between revisions

Problem gambling
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Preoccupation with gambling, need to gamble with increasing amounts of money, repeated unsuccessful efforts to control or stop gambling, restlessness or irritability when attempting to cut down or stop gambling
Complications	Financial problems, relationship issues, legal problems, mental health disorders
Onset	Typically in adolescence or young adulthood
Duration	Can be chronic or episodic
Types	N/A
Causes	Genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors
Risks	Family history of gambling, mental health disorders, substance abuse, age, gender
Diagnosis	Based on clinical assessment and DSM-5 criteria
Differential diagnosis	Bipolar disorder, impulse control disorders, substance use disorders
Prevention	Education, awareness programs, early intervention
Treatment	Cognitive behavioral therapy, medication, support groups
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Varies; can be managed with treatment
Frequency	Affects approximately 1-3% of the population
Deaths	N/A

Latest revision as of 15:39, 8 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's medical weight loss NYC, sleep center NYC
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Problem gambling, also known as ludomania, is an urge to gamble continuously despite harmful negative consequences or a desire to stop. It is often defined by the harm experienced by the gambler or others, rather than by the gambler's behavior. Problem gambling is considered a behavioral addiction and is characterized by an inability to resist the impulse to gamble, leading to severe personal and social consequences.

Symptoms[edit]

Problem gambling can manifest in various ways, including:

Preoccupation with gambling, such as constantly planning how to get more money to gamble.
Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired excitement.
Repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling.
Restlessness or irritability when attempting to cut down or stop gambling.
Gambling as a way to escape problems or relieve feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression.
Chasing losses, or trying to get back money lost by gambling more.
Lying to family members or others to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling.
Jeopardizing or losing a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling.
Relying on others to provide money to relieve desperate financial situations caused by gambling.

Causes[edit]

The exact cause of problem gambling is unknown, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors. Some potential causes include:

Genetics: A family history of gambling problems may increase the risk.
Mental health disorders: People with mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, or substance abuse are more likely to develop gambling problems.
Personality traits: Certain personality traits, such as impulsivity, may increase the risk of problem gambling.
Environmental factors: Exposure to gambling environments and cultural attitudes towards gambling can influence the development of gambling problems.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment for problem gambling often involves a combination of therapies, including:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This therapy helps individuals change unhealthy gambling behaviors and thoughts.
Medication: Certain medications, such as antidepressants and mood stabilizers, may help treat co-occurring conditions that contribute to gambling problems.
Support groups: Groups like Gamblers Anonymous provide a supportive environment for individuals to share experiences and strategies for overcoming gambling addiction.
Counseling: Individual or family counseling can help address the underlying issues contributing to gambling problems.

Prevention[edit]

Preventing problem gambling involves education and awareness. Strategies include:

Educating individuals about the risks of gambling and the signs of problem gambling.
Promoting responsible gambling practices, such as setting limits on time and money spent on gambling.
Implementing policies and regulations to reduce the availability and accessibility of gambling.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Problem gambling''', also known as '''ludomania''', is an urge to continuously gamble despite harmful negative consequences or a desire to stop. Problem gambling is often defined by whether harm is experienced by the gambler or others, rather than by the gambler's behavior. Severe problem gambling may be diagnosed as '''clinical pathological gambling''' if the gambler meets certain criteria. Problem gambling has been associated with [[mental health disorders|mental health]] issues, such as [[depression]], [[anxiety]], and [[suicide]].
+{{SI}}
+{{Infobox medical condition
-==Causes==
+| name            = Problem gambling
-The causes of problem gambling are not well understood, though research suggests that it results from a combination of biological, genetic, and environmental factors. [[Addiction]] and [[mood disorders]] often play a role in the development and continuation of problem gambling.
+| image           = [[File:Gambling_chips.jpg|250px]]
+| caption         = Gambling chips, often used in casinos
-==Signs and Symptoms==
+| field           = [[Psychiatry]]
-Signs of problem gambling include, but are not limited to, the need to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired excitement, restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop, chasing losses, and lying to conceal the extent of gambling. Problem gambling can lead to significant impairment or distress, affecting social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
+| symptoms        = [[Preoccupation]] with gambling, need to gamble with increasing amounts of money, repeated unsuccessful efforts to control or stop gambling, restlessness or irritability when attempting to cut down or stop gambling
+| complications   = [[Financial problems]], [[relationship issues]], [[legal problems]], [[mental health disorders]]
-==Treatment==
+| onset           = Typically in [[adolescence]] or [[young adulthood]]
-Treatment for problem gambling typically involves counseling, such as [[cognitive behavioral therapy]] (CBT), self-help and peer-support, or medications. There is evidence that the use of certain antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and opioid antagonists can help some pathological gamblers.
+| duration        = Can be [[chronic]] or [[episodic]]
+| causes          = [[Genetic]], [[biological]], [[environmental]], and [[psychological factors]]
-==Prevention==
+| risks           = [[Family history]] of gambling, [[mental health disorders]], [[substance abuse]], [[age]], [[gender]]
-Prevention of problem gambling involves efforts from individuals, communities, and governments. Educational programs that aim to inform people about the risks of gambling and how to gamble responsibly can be effective in preventing problem gambling.
+| diagnosis       = Based on [[clinical assessment]] and [[DSM-5]] criteria
+| differential    = [[Bipolar disorder]], [[impulse control disorders]], [[substance use disorders]]
-==Epidemic==
+| prevention      = [[Education]], [[awareness programs]], [[early intervention]]
-In some countries, problem gambling has been recognized as a significant public health issue, with prevalence rates varying by country and affected by the availability of gambling opportunities. Efforts to understand and address problem gambling are ongoing, with some countries implementing national strategies to combat the issue.
+| treatment       = [[Cognitive behavioral therapy]], [[medication]], [[support groups]]
+| prognosis       = Varies; can be managed with treatment
-==See also==
+| frequency       = Affects approximately 1-3% of the population
-* [[Gambling addiction]]
+}}
-* [[Responsible gambling]]
+'''Problem gambling''', also known as '''ludomania''', is an urge to gamble continuously despite harmful negative consequences or a desire to stop. It is often defined by the harm experienced by the gambler or others, rather than by the gambler's behavior. Problem gambling is considered a behavioral addiction and is characterized by an inability to resist the impulse to gamble, leading to severe personal and social consequences.
-* [[Gambling regulation]]
+== Symptoms ==
+Problem gambling can manifest in various ways, including:
-[[Category:Behavioral addiction]]
+* Preoccupation with gambling, such as constantly planning how to get more money to gamble.
-[[Category:Mental health disorders]]
+* Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired excitement.
-{{medicine-stub}}
+* Repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling.
+* Restlessness or irritability when attempting to cut down or stop gambling.
+* Gambling as a way to escape problems or relieve feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression.
+* Chasing losses, or trying to get back money lost by gambling more.
+* Lying to family members or others to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling.
+* Jeopardizing or losing a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling.
+* Relying on others to provide money to relieve desperate financial situations caused by gambling.
+== Causes ==
+The exact cause of problem gambling is unknown, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors. Some potential causes include:
+* [[Genetics]]: A family history of gambling problems may increase the risk.
+* [[Mental health]] disorders: People with mental health disorders such as [[depression]], [[anxiety]], or [[substance abuse]] are more likely to develop gambling problems.
+* Personality traits: Certain personality traits, such as impulsivity, may increase the risk of problem gambling.
+* Environmental factors: Exposure to gambling environments and cultural attitudes towards gambling can influence the development of gambling problems.
+== Treatment ==
+Treatment for problem gambling often involves a combination of therapies, including:
+* [[Cognitive behavioral therapy]] (CBT): This therapy helps individuals change unhealthy gambling behaviors and thoughts.
+* [[Medication]]: Certain medications, such as antidepressants and mood stabilizers, may help treat co-occurring conditions that contribute to gambling problems.
+* [[Support groups]]: Groups like [[Gamblers Anonymous]] provide a supportive environment for individuals to share experiences and strategies for overcoming gambling addiction.
+* [[Counseling]]: Individual or family counseling can help address the underlying issues contributing to gambling problems.
+== Prevention ==
+Preventing problem gambling involves education and awareness. Strategies include:
+* Educating individuals about the risks of gambling and the signs of problem gambling.
+* Promoting responsible gambling practices, such as setting limits on time and money spent on gambling.
+* Implementing policies and regulations to reduce the availability and accessibility of gambling.
+== See also ==
+* [[Addiction]]
+* [[Behavioral addiction]]
+* [[Cognitive behavioral therapy]]
+* [[Gamblers Anonymous]]
+* [[Mental health]]
+[[Category:Psychiatric disorders]]
+[[Category:Addiction]]