Types Of Gambling Disorders
- Types Of Gambling Disorders Definition
- Types Of Gambling Disorders Dsm 5
- Types Of Gambling Disorders Symptoms
Learn about the six types of gamblers: professional, antisocial, casual, serious social, relief and escape, and compulsive gamblers.
Robert L. Custer, M.D., the first to identify 'pathological gambling' and establish a gambling addiction treatment program, identified 6 types of gamblers:
Gambling can be a fun once-in-a-while activity or, for the lucky few, a way to win that illusive jackpot. Unfortunately, gamblers can become obsessive and compulsive about playing the ponies or pulling the one-armed bandit. They may find themselves in the throes of an addiction that could ruin them financially, socially, psychologically or even physically.
1. Professional gamblers make their living by gambling and thus consider it a profession. They are skilled in the games they choose to play and are able to control both the amount of money and time spent gambling. Thus, professional gamblers are not addicted to gambling. They patiently wait for the best bet and then try to win as much as they can.
- For gambling disorder have been met for at least 3 months but for less than 12 months. In sustained remission: After full criteria for gambling disorder were previously met, none of the criteria for gambling disorder have been met during a period of 12 months or longer. Specify current severity.
- The DSM-5 notes that many people with Gambling disorder are likely to resolve their gambling problem over time, but the definitions used are unclear (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). It is open to interpretation if resolve means cessation of the most problematic behaviors, or complete abstinence.
2. In contrast to professional gamblers, antisocial or personality gamblers use gambling as a way to get money by illegal means. They are likely to be involved in fixing horse or dog races, or playing with loaded dice or marked cards. They may attempt to use a compulsive gambling diagnosis as a legal defense.
3. Casual social gamblers gamble for recreation, sociability and entertainment. For them, gambling may be a distraction or a form of relaxation. Gambling does not interfere with family, social or vocational obligations. Examples of such betting are the occasional poker game, Super Bowl bets, a yearly trip to Las Vegas and casual involvement in the lottery.
4. In contrast, serious social gamblers invest more of their time in gambling. Gambling is a major source of relaxation and entertainment, yet these individuals place gambling second in importance to family and vocation. This type of gambler could be compared to a 'golf nut,' whose source of relaxation comes from playing golf. Serious social gamblers still maintain control over their gambling activities.
5. Custer's fifth type, relief and escape gamblers, gamble to find relief from feelings of anxiety, depression, anger, boredom or loneliness. They use gambling to escape from crisis or difficulties. Gambling provides an analgesic effect rather than a euphoric response. Relief and escape gamblers are not compulsive gamblers.
6. Compulsive gamblers have lost control over their gambling. For them, gambling is the most important thing in their lives. Compulsive gambling is a progressive addiction that harms every aspect of the gambler's life. As they continue to gamble, their families, friends and employers are negatively affected. In addition, compulsive gamblers may engage in activities such as stealing, lying or embezzling which go against their moral standards. Compulsive gamblers cannot stop gambling, no matter how much they want to or how hard they try.
Learn more about Gambling Addiction Signs.
next: Symptoms of Gambling Addiction
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APA Reference
Gluck, S. (2008, December 19). Types of Gamblers: Compulsive Gamblers and More, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2020, December 16 from https://www.healthyplace.com/addictions/gambling-addiction/types-of-gamblers-compulsive-gamblers-and-more
By William “Ted” Hartwell
This is the first of a series of articles that will discuss the issue of disordered gambling, an addiction that affects millions of individuals and their families, friends and co-workers, often with devastating consequences. Future articles will focus on legal aspects, advocacy, building public awareness, informational resources, and treatment of disordered gambling, among other topics.
Disordered gambling, also variously referred to as gambling addiction, problem gambling, compulsive gambling, and pathological gambling, is defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) as:
“Persistent and 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:
- Needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement.
- Is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling.
- Has made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling.
- Is often preoccupied with gambling (e.g., having persistent thoughts of reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble).
- Often gambles when feeling distressed (e.g., helpless, guilty, anxious, depressed).
- After losing money gambling, often returns another day to get even (“chasing” one’s losses).
- Lies to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling.
- Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling.
- Relies on others to provide money to relieve desperate financial situations caused by gambling.”
Key indicators of a gambling problem
For most people, gambling is harmless entertainment, but for a small percentage of individuals, gambling can become an obsession that creates persistent and recurring problems that significantly impact many areas of their lives, including personal and professional relationships. As with other addictions, problem gambling does not discriminate with regards to age, race, ethnicity, or gender, although there is substantial evidence that family history and genetic factors do play a role in determining a person’s predisposition toward developing a gambling or other addiction.
The amount of money, frequency of gambling episodes, or types of games played are not necessarily in and of themselves indicators of who may have a gambling problem. Rather, it is inability of an individual to control their gambling behavior, despite persistent and growing negative consequences as defined by the criteria above, that is indicative of a gambling disorder. While four (4) or more of the criteria above are required to meet the clinical definition of a gambling disorder, the presence of any of these criteria over any significant length of time may be indicative of an emergent problem and should be treated seriously.
What are outcomes of disordered gambling?
Q: Can problem gambling ruin your life?
A: The consequences for the individual suffering from a gambling addiction, as with any other addiction, can include:
- financial difficulties
- the loss of relationships
- the loss of jobs
- theloss of opportunities
- the loss of freedom as a result of criminal activities conducted in furtherance of a gambling addiction
- the loss of life
Disordered gambling has among the highest suicide rates of any mental disorders, including other addictions, with treatment-seeking individuals reporting rates of actual suicide attempts as high as 1 in 4-5, with the majority of the remainder reporting suicidal ideation.
What treatments are effective for disordered gambling?
Fortunately, the illness of disordered gambling is very treatable, though the issue of stigma associated with seeking treatment for a gambling problem is high, and individuals are often significantly progressed in their addiction before treatment is sought, if at all. 12-Step programs such as Gambler’s Anonymous have been shown to be effective for many in helping keep their gambling addiction in remission, especially when used in combination with individual or other group therapies facilitated by a certified gambling counselor, but there are many potential paths to recovery from gambling.
Types Of Gambling Disorders Definition
It is important to realize that the disordered gambler often affects many other individuals in their sphere of influence, particularly family members, as a result of the inability to control their gambling. Usually family members need, and can significantly benefit from, their own treatment regimen following the impact of a loved one’s gambling behavior on their finances and lives. Gam-Anon is a 12-Step program that exists for the family and friends impacted by the gambling of another, individual and family therapy is often available through certified gambling counselors.