- 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.
TWO Must Read Blogs on Gambling Disorder:-
1.ENGINEERS OF ADDICTION – SURE WHO’S COUNTING? – A fascinating and quite frankly disturbing of how gambling machines are engineered to prompt compulsive gambling use. A Must read!
2. Gambling with America’s Health?
THE PUBLIC HEALTH COSTS OF LEGAL GAMBLING
One of most comprehensive reviews of the cost of gambling I have come across – it even cites my friend and fellow writer Catherine Townsend-Lyon
Other Blogs on Gambling Disorder:-
Maladaptive emotion-regulation strategy and lack of emotional clarity in Gambling Addicts.
Gambling Disorder and Emotional Processing Deficits
“Staying in Action” – A Gambling Addict’s Dry Drunk?
Cognitive Distortions Associated with gambling Disorder
The “Gamblers Fallacy may have a common cause?
Inside The Alcoholic Brain 