The Dangers of Gambling Addiction

Today, gamblers need not to travel to "gambling cities" Las Vegas or Atlantic City to discover the action they hunger after. Gambling is so rampant that it invades every town it passes by. In the United States legalized gambling is considered a profitable business. Water-based casinos harbor around the Midwest and Mississippi river and off-track betting stations flooded the streets of every state show proof that indeed gambling is flourishing in the US.

Most gamblers consider gambling a form of entertainment and for relaxation and enjoyment. But some people become too addicted to gambling that they become pathological gamblers. Pathological or compulsive gambling is a disturbing disease capable of destructing a person's life.

What is the dissimilarity between pathological gambling and a social gambling? We can define gambling as involving in a game of luck or change for some bets or stakes. It comes in different types, casinos in table games and slot machine, lotteries, parimutuels (Jai alai, horse and greyhound racing, off-track betting parlors), bingo, card rooms, sports gambling and even stock market. Pathological gambling is a progressive illness that destroys the gambler and social relationships that revolves around him. Though pathological gambling may be a chronic disease nevertheless it can be detected and treated.

Robert L. Custer a known doctor recognized and in his Custer 3 Phase Model identified the gambling addiction's progression. This three phases progressions are; the winning phase, the losing phase and last the desperation phase.

During the winning phase, the gamblers are optimistic that their winning will continue since experiencing a series of big wins. This leads gamblers to a state of excitement whenever they are gambling, and exhibit a desire to increase the amount of money to wage.

Losing phase occurs when gamblers experience a reverse of fortune (winning to losing). Here they are conceited about previous winnings, often gambling by themselves, focusing more about recovering loses and at the same time borrowing money to support their fund. They become more secretive about their gambling activities to family and friends. They're experiencing a feeling of restlessness and now become more irritable and withdrawn.

Gamblers begin to frequenting casino believing they have to win back at games to recover certain loses. As loses accumulate they begun blaming others and soon getting away from friends and family.Eventually, gamblers begin to resort to some unlawful activities to finance their addiction to gambling.

The gamblers experience emotional breakdown, hopelessness and have some suicidal attempts, become alcoholic and take drugs to free themselves of this addiction and or other drug abuse, or an emotional breakdown.

Pathological gambling affects adult family members. It is estimated that 3 percent of this sector is into gambling. Compulsive gambling may lead to losing job, divorce, heavy debts, violating state laws and in some extreme situation a suicide attempt. Pathological gambling is menace to society which affects not only the gamblers but as well as their families, intimate friends, and the community.

Henry Lesieur and Durand Jacobs both doctors conducted a research and find out that adolescents if not guided properly has a higher chance than adults to be pathological gamblers. With this result, gambling treatment centers and houses were established and more gambling counselors offer their services.