Introduction
Gambling addiction is a problem characterized by persistent and repeated gambling behavior leading to distress. The paper will be a descriptive essay concerning gambling addiction in the United States and Canada, its effects, and treatment. The things that will be found interesting are the number of people of gambling disorder, the reason for the problem, and its effects. The reason why the topic is important is because of the high number of people gamble without knowing how gambling disorder is developed and the effects of gambling. Two sources will be used in writing the essay: a journal article by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration that provides information relating to who can develop gambling problems and how to treat it; the second is a report by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health that provides the number of people who have ever engaged in gambling activities and the effects of gambling addiction.
Prevalence of Gambling Problem
Anyone in any part of the society who engages in gambling activities can develop a gambling problem. In Canada, approximately 64% of adults were reported to have engaged in some sort of gambling activity at least once in the past with most of it being lottery tickets (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health). However, research shows that gambling problems are mostly associated with young adulthood where the problem is most common, ethnic minority status, low socioeconomic status, and unmarried status. In the United States, studies show that approximately 1.5 million people have experienced pathological gambling at some point in their lives (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).
Reasons for Gambling Addiction
Some people develop gambling disorders because they find the activity stimulating. Most of these people are men who engage in some form of action gambling involving some skill or knowledge like sports betting or playing poker. Some people also develop the problem because the gambling acts as a form of relief from stress or negative emotions. These gamblers are mostly women who favor forms of gambling determined by pure chance such as bingo, the lottery, or slot machines. Finally, there are some people who become addicted to gamble for financial reasons. These people view gamble as a way of making fast and easy money, or as the only chance of getting rich, or think a big win could solve all their problems.
Effects of Gambling Addiction
Pathological gamblers often have shame and anger issues. On top of these issues, people with gambling disorders also have several other problems. Top on the list is financial issues that are the most common problem among pathological disorders. People with gambling problems often have debts and may be dealing with several other issues like loss of employment, depletion of savings, and incurrence of debts. Some of these people may also have problems with basic bills such as paying for utilities and food.
Gambling addiction also has negative impacts on families and marriage. Gambling contributes to dysfunction and chaos within the family and is associated with separation or divorce or child and spousal abuse. Pathological gamblers often hide this issue from family members or spouses because revealing this information could have profound effects on them. Family members on learning this fact could suffer from stress or depression.
Gambling addicts sometimes have law related problems. A recent study found that approximately 25% of people with gambling disorder had committed at least one illegal act (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health). These issues are mostly gambling-related and involve such activities as writing bad checks, unauthorized use of credit cards, and theft.
Treatment of Gambling Addiction
There are various approaches that have been found useful treating gambling problems. The first is behavioral therapy that deals with altering behaviors through reinforcement of desired behaviors and modifying of attitudes and behaviors related to gambling. This approach helps gambling addicts deal with identify their triggers and help them find alternative activities that complete with pathological gambling.
The second approach is cognitive therapy that deals with changing distorted behaviors about gambling and chances and winning. This approach educates gambling addicts about the odds of gambling and increases the clients’ awareness about their distorted thinking. This helps them question their irrational cognition and restructure their thoughts.
Sometimes cognitive and behavioral therapies are combined in treating behavioral disorders. This approach usually identifies and changes irrational cognition about gambling and reinforces alternative behaviors. The approach also helps gambling addicts recognize that short-term sensations of gambling are not worth the long-term negative consequences. This approach is frequently combined with motivational interviewing that helps gambling addicts address their ambivalence towards behavior change. Studies show that even the briefest motivational interventions can significantly help people with gambling problems. The combination of motivational innovation and cognitive-behavioral therapy can be successfully delivered through the phone or other internet based communications (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).
Conclusion
Gambling is a problem that affects anyone from any part of the society who engages in gambling activity. There are various reasons why people develop gambling disorders; some do it for the thrill, some to relieve stress, and others for financial reasons. The most common effect of gambling addiction is financial ruin. Other effects include family problems and legal issues. Gambling can be treated through various approaches that include behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, a combination of the two known as cognitive-behavioral therapy, and finally a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing.
Works cited
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Problem Gambling: The Issues and Prolems. Ontario, Canada: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 2012. Web. 9 Aug. 2016.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Behavioral Health Is Essential to Health Prevention Works Treatment Is Effective People Recover Gambling Problems: An Introduction for Behavioral Health Services Providers.” Summer 13.1 (2014): n.pag. Web. 9 Aug. 2016.
