Pathological gambling

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Pathological gambling

Alternative Names:

Gambling - compulsive; Compulsive gambling; Addictive gambling

Treatment:

Treatment for people with pathologicalgambling begins with the recognition of the problem. Since pathological gambling is often associated with denial,people with theillness oftenrefuse to accept that they are ill orneedtreatment. Most people withpathological gambling enter treatment under pressure from others, rather thanvoluntarily accepting the need for treatment.

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Treatment options include individual and group psychotherapy, medications, and self-help support groups such as Gamblers Anonymous.Gamblers Anonymousis a 12-step program similar to Alcoholics Anonymous. Abstinence principles that apply to other types of addiction, such as substance abuse and alcohol dependence, can also be helpfulin the treatment of pathological gambling.

A few studies have been done on medications for the treatment of pathological gambling. Early results suggest that antidepressants, opioid antagonists, and mood stabilizers may help treat the symptoms of pathological gambling.

Expectations (prognosis):

Like alcohol or drug addiction, pathological gambling is a chronic disorder that tends to get worse without treatment. Even with treatment, relapses are common. Nevertheless, people with pathological gambling can do very well with appropriate treatment.

Complications:

People with pathological gambling oftenhave problems with substance abuse, depression, and anxiety. For example, up to half of people with pathological gambling also have alcohol and drug abuse problems. People with pathological gambling frequently consider suicide, and 15-20% of them attempt it.

People with pathological gambling tend to experience financial, social, and legal problems. These can include bankruptcy, divorce, job loss, and incarceration. The stress and excitement of gambling may lead to heart attacks in vulnerable people. Many of these complications can be prevented with appropriate treatment.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider or mental health professional if you believe you have symptoms of pathologicalgambling.