Negative Effects of

Gambling Addiction
Elizabeth Kurtz
Block 1
1 June 2012

DSM-IV Gambling Disorder

Criteria

Needs to gamble with more money to be sufficiently

excited
Is restless or irritable when trying to stop
Has repeated, unsuccessful attempts to control or
stop
Is preoccupied with gambling
Often gambles when feeling distressed
Returning later to get even after losing money
Lies about the extent of their gambling
Has risked or lost significant job, relationship, or
educational opportunity because of gambling
Relies on others to provide money
6 million adults and 500,000 teenagers meet criteria
for addiction

Crime

80%-90% of Gamblers Anonymous members

have done something illegal for money
Mostly white collar crimes (fraud, credit card
and employee theft)
Sometimes more serious crimes (organized
crime, drug- or alcohol-related crime,
murder)
In a survey of 400 Gamblers Anonymous
members, $30 million was stolen collectively
(about $135,000 each)

Homelessness
20% of the homeless are gambling addicts
18% homeless because of gambling
33% consider gambling a contributing
factor

Domestic Abuse/Neglect
90% of addicts worldwide have family
problems because of addiction
Between 25%-50% of spouses and 10%17% of children of addicts are abused
Violent outbursts, children locked in cars for
hours
Children have high chances of developing
same addiction
Children have higher chances of using
tobacco, drugs, and alcohol and overeating

Divorce
65% with an addicted spouse end up
divorced
53.5% of all gambling addicts divorced

29.8% of low-risk gamblers

18.2% of non-gamblers

2 million adults identify gambling as

significant factor in a prior divorce

Mental Problems and Suicide

Greater chance of developing anxiety, impulse

control, and personality disorders and ADHD
76% develop major depressive disorder
Suicide is higher among gambling addicts than
any other addictive disorder
In a survey of 400 Gamblers Anonymous
members:
77% wanted to die
66% considered
47% had a definite plan

1 in 5 will attempt suicide

Las Vegas has highest suicide rates in country,
rose only after casinos began opening

Other Effects
63%
75%
38%
21%
20%

are alcoholics
have problems with alcohol
have problems with other drugs
lost or quit jobs
file for bankruptcy

Treatment
Similar to treatment for substance abuse,
both addiction disorders often treated at the
same time
Individual, group (ex. Gamblers
Anonymous), and family therapy
Currently no drug approved by FDA, but
antidepressants and seizure medications
help
Drugs used to treat mental disorders that
lead to gambling
Treatment is usually successful if patient
puts effort into their recovery

Works Cited
Black, Donald W., and Martha Shaw. Psychiatric Comorbidity Associated
With Pathological Gambling. Psych Central. Psych Central, 2012. Web. 31
May 2012.
Chapter 7. Gamblings Impacts on People and Places. Cyber Cemetery.
University of North Texas Libraries, 2009. Web. 31 May 2012.
Effects of Gambling Addictions. Rehab International. Rehab International,
2012. 31 May 2012.
Facts and Figures. National Problem Gambling Awareness Week. National
Problem Gambling Awareness Week, 2012. Web. 31 May 2012.
Gambling Disorders and Substance Use Disorders: Whats the Connection?
Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling. Massachusetts Council
on Compulsive Gambling, 2012. Web. 31 May, 2012.
R 37 Gambling Disorder. DSM-5 Development. American Psychiatric
Association, 2012. Web. 31 May 2012.
Seeking Help for Gambling Addiction. New York Times. 1 Nov. 2010. Web.
31 May 2012.
Understanding the Costs of Gambling Addiction. Casino Watch. Casino
Watch, Inc., 2007. Web. 31 May 2012.
United States. General Accounting Office. Impact of Gambling: Economic
Effects More Measurable than Social Effects. April 2000. Web. 31 May
2012.