Jan. 25, 2006 Julie Hynes, Lane County H&HS

problemproblem

the the

gambling:gambling:

hiddenhiddenaddictionaddiction Presented By:

Gulf Shores High School Peer Helpers

‘Know the Rules of the Game’

Trends

Greater Access

+ Greater

Acceptance

= More

Gamblers

Cell Phone Gambling: Next

Wave?

“so what?”

stats & effects

problem problem gambling gambling Gambling

behavior which causes disruptions in any major area of life.

pathologicpathological al gambling gambling More serious form of problem gambling; loss of control; often called “gambling addiction”.

Video Gambling = Crack??

Video poker/slots– 7 in 10 Mississippi

problem gambling treatment clients say video poker is their game of choice

InternetClick & Play Lottery games

‘Crack cocaine’ of gambling...

College: Quick Facts

Male college students who gamble on cards at least once a month

Female college students who gamble on cards at least once a month

Internet gambling revenue in 2001

Internet gambling revenue in 2006 (even after new anti-Internet gambling law passed)

50.4%:

26.6%:

$3.1 billion:

$15 billion:

Most Common Effects of Problem

GamblingDebtCrimeDepression/SuicideRelationship problemsEmployment problemsConcurrent alcohol and/or drug problems

1 in 10 attempted

1 in 4

1 in 7

1 in 3 alcohol problems

1 in 10 drug problems

Economic/Financial Impact

By one estimate, the social-economic cost for each pathological gambler is in excess of $11,000 and over $3,000 for each sub-clinical pathological gambler.

If those figures generalized to Mississippi then the annualized socioeconomic costs of problem gambling to Mississippi approximates $449 million.

“how do you tell?” signs &

diagnosis

of the problem

Pathological Gambling:

DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria1. Preoccupation with gambling

2. Increases amount of money gambled

3. Unsuccessfully tries to quit

4. Restless or irritable when trying to cut down/stop

5. Gambles as an escape

6. “Chases” losses7. Lies to others to

conceal gambling8. Has committed

illegal acts9. Has jeopardized

relationships10. Relies on others

to bail him/her out

Pathological Gambling is defined in DSM-IV as an “Impulse Control Disorder”

Given all the characteristics of problem gambling we’ve

shared, how would you identify

“responsible” gambling?

Try to come up with 5 signs.

discussiondiscussion

the

addiction

connection

Problem Gambling & Alcohol Abuse

Problem drinkers are 23 times more likely to have a gambling problem than persons without an alcohol problemProblem gamblers had 7 times the rate of alcohol dependence than nongamblers and low-risk gamblers

Problem Gambling &

Substance AbuseBetween 25-65% PGs report substance abuse at some point9-16% of those with substance abuse issues also found to be PGs

Problem Gambling & Mental Health: Mood

Disorders

A major depressive disorder: likely to occur in 76 percent of pathologic gamblers

Higher suicide rates– 6% of problem gamblers made suicide

attempt within six months prior to entering treatment

Playing the Cards Right:

addressingthe issue

Helpful Links

www.friends4friends.ca

(Responsible Gambling Council -- good link for students)

www.npgaw.org

(Problem Gambling Awareness Week – good for you; further tools)

Who’s in Treatment? Mississippi Gambling Treatment Clients:

Males 47% | Females 52%Average age: 45 yearsAverage household income: $36,495Race/Ethnicity: White 87%Marital status:– Married 36% - Divorced 25%

Average gambling-related debt: $23,331