Objective: This self study module will explore the clinical aspects of gambling problems
Gambling addiction can have a profoundly negative impact on individuals, families, and communities. Gambling is an activity that involves any betting or wagering, for self or others, whether for money or not, no matter how slight or insignificant, where the outcome is uncertain or depends on chance or skill (Gamblers Anonymous, 2000; McCormick & Cohen, 2007). The DSM 5 reclassified pathological gambling from an impulse control disorder to a behavioural addiction (APA, 2012). The rationale for this change is that the research, especially on the brain’s reward pathways, has revealed many similarities between pathological gambling and substance-use disorders. Both involve cravings and highs; have genetic factors; and the same forms of treatment (APA, 2012).
A person must have four of the nine behaviours listed below over a 12-month period to be diagnosed with a gambling disorder (APA, 2012). A change from the DSM IV TR is that illegal acts are no longer listed as a sign of pathological gambling because this criteria did little to help form a diagnosis (APA, 2012). People who do not meet the criteria of four behaviours may still have serious problems requiring early intervention.
• gambling with larger amounts of money to increase excitement
• repeated efforts to reduce or stop gambling
• restlessness or irritability when attempting to control gambling behavior • gambling to escape problems or to alleviate a negative mood
• trying to win back money after incurring losses while gambling
• lying about the extent of gambling behavior to significant other(s)
• lost relationships with significant other(s) or lost career advancement because of
• dependent on others to provide financial assistance to relieve a debt caused by
Over the last several years, there has been an increase in gambling research, and substantial findings have emerged in understanding the clinical aspects of pathological gambling as well as in the area of treatment (Johansson, Grant, Kim, Odlaug & Gotestam, 2009). Common terms that have been used interchangeably in the literature include gambling, problem gambling, compulsive gambling, and pathological gambling. While these terms have been used interchangeably, it is important to note that there are behavioral conditions inherent in each term that distinguishes one from the other (Emshoff, Perkins, Zimmerman, Moos & Zorland). The Social Dimension of Gambling The behavioural addiction of gambling has been described as “a silent epidemic” (Suissa, 2007). An Alberta prevalence study by Smith and Wynne (2002) indicated that 67%of respondents were non-problem gamblers, 9.8% were low risk gamblers, 3.9% were moderately at-risk gamblers, and 1.3% were considered problem gamblers. The National
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Opinion Research Centre (NORC) identified two types of social cost resulting from problem and pathological gambling: 1) ongoing, annual costs resulting from job loss, unemployment and welfare benefits, poor physical and mental health, and gambling disorder treatments, and 2) one-time (or less frequently occurring) costs over the lifetime of a gambler resulting from bankruptcy, arrests, imprisonment, legal fees for divorce, etc. (Community Research Partners, 2010).
Griffiths (2013) described how addictive gambling behaviour resulted from an interaction between many factors that can be grouped into four categories: Biological/genetic disposition; social and environmental influences; psychological constitution; and the gambling activity itself. The social, environmental and situational factors of the gambling experience have often been modified by government regulatory agencies and law enforcement but not always effectively. The increase in pathological gambling may be partly related to regulatory and legal changes. The timeline below shows the dramatic shift that occurred in Alberta. Online gaming is difficult to measure but there is accurate data about Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) and slot machines. This technology includes inducing and reinforcing features that promote addictive tendencies (Smith & Wynne, 2004). They are known to be a highly addictive gambling experience but were not available in Alberta until 1992. Today, Albertans are spending $23 Billion a year on those two forms of gambling and the Alberta government had become dependent on the revenue of $1.5 Billion annually. The Progression of Gambling in Alberta 1910- Horse betting becomes legal in Canada. 1925 at agricultural fairs and exhibitions is allowed 1967- Alberta's first charitable casino opened at Edmonton's annual fair, then called Klondike Days 1969- The federal law was changed to allow provinces to legally operate lotteries and casinos. Calgary Stampede opened the Frontier Casino (which became a permanent facility under the name of Stampede Casino in 1988). 1985- Canada's Criminal Code is amended to allow provinces to operate mechanical gaming devices 1992- Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) were introduced in Alberta after test runs at summer fairs in Edmonton and Calgary. 1995- First online gaming website opens 1996- Alberta gets slot machines and satellite bingo 1998- Nine Alberta communities vote to remove their VLTs 2001- There are 38,652 VLTs across Canada. Alberta introduces a new First Nations Gaming Policy 2006- River Cree Resort and Casino on the Enoch Reserve near Edmonton becomes the first casino to open under the First Nations Gaming Policy 2009- 85% of gambling revenue in Alberta is from 18,000 VLTs and slot machines. The Government of Alberta now earns more revenue from gambling than from the oilsands. 2012- Albertans spent $2.1 billion on alcohol and $23.8 billion on gambling during that year. The provincial government received revenues of $687 million from alcohol sales and $1.5 billion from gambling. Albertans spent $15.6 billion on slot machines, $7.4 billion on VLTs and $744 million on lottery tickets.
Excerpted from: You bet your life, CBC News: The Fifth Estate. Retrieved, April 2013; Alberta Liquor and Gaming andBC Partnership for Responsible Gambling. (2007) Internet gambling
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With the rapid global expansion of the internet since the mid-1990s, gambling online also became a common form of betting (McCormick & Cohen, 2007). The first online gambling website appeared in 1995 (BC Partnership for Responsible Gambling, 2007). Online wagering and online gaming are the two most common forms of gambling online. Online wagering involves placing bets on an event including horse races, sports games and poker, for example. Online gaming involves playing games generated by software that determines results randomly (McMillan, 2000). Online gambling, as compared with traditional casinos, have become more popular with young adults, rising from 1.4 percent in 2001, to 5.5 percent in 2005 (Responsible Gambling Council, 2007). In Canada, online gambling is regulated, to the extent that anything on the internet can be regulated, according to provincial legislation and under the federal criminal code (BC Partnership for Responsible Gambling, 2007). Gambling Screening Tools
If a problem with gambling is present in an individual’s profile, it is important for health care professionals to explore how often (frequency), how long (duration), and how much (amount) they gamble relative to what they can afford to lose (Fong & Reid, 2012). The severity of the gambling addiction might also be conceptualized by the extent of self-control and the disregard for negative associated consequences (Fong & Reid). Screening tools may be helpful in determining the presence of a gambling issue. The following is an overview of the screening tools available (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 2012). South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS): The SOGS, which was developed in the US, is a 20-item questionnaire used to screen for pathological gambling in clinical settings. This instrument was developed many years ago based on an inpatient population of males in a Virginia hospital and limitations in the instrument have been identified. South Oaks Gambling Screen – Revised Version (SOGS – RA): The SOGS-RA is a revised version of the SOGS that was developed in order to measure pathological gambling among adolescents. CAMH Gambling Screen: This tool, developed at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), is intended as a short screen to quickly identify people who might have a problem, but who are currently not seeking treatment for problem gambling. The screen could be used by anyone who wants to investigate gambling as a possible issue without completing a longer questionnaire. Clients can use the CAMH Gambling Screen as a self-assessment tool, or can use it as part of a screening process. Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI): The PGSI is an abbreviated version of the original tool called the Canadian Problem Gambling Index, consisting of 9 items rather than 31. Clients can use it as a self-assessment tool, or health care professionals can use it as part of their screening process.
The original 31-item tool, which measures gambling involvement, problem gambling behavior and adverse consequences, was developed to measure the prevalence of gambling and problem gambling in the general population. Research is currently being done to test its use with a treatment population.
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Check Your Gambling: This five page questionnaire is intended to be an anonymous tool to help gamblers, their loved ones, and health care professionals answer questions about gambling. GA 20 Questions: This questionnaire, which was developed by Gamblers Anonymous, is intended as a self-assessment for “compulsive gambling”. It has not been scientifically tested and validated, so caution should be exercised in its use.
Utilizing gambling screening tools will provide information about whether the individual is, in the most severe case, a pathological gambler or if the individual is, in the least severe instance, a recreational gambler. The following table illustrates an example of the difference between an individual who struggles with a pathological gambling addiction (pathological gambler) and an individual who does not (recreational gambler).
Table 1: Two cases of gamblers: Recreational vs. pathological
Adapted from Fong, T. W., Reid, R. C. & Parhami, I. (2012). Behavioral addictions: Where to draw the lines? Psychiatric Clinics of Levels of Gambling
Shaffer, Hall, and Vander Bilt (1997, 1999) describe gambling-related behavior as existing on a continuum from abstinence, to severe problems, to pathological gambling (cited in Alberta Health Services, 2009). As a result, three levels of gambling were proposed on this continuum, including level one, level two, and level three. The first level describes no gambling at all or recreational gambling, as discussed above. People in the first level on the gambling continuum, gamble for social and recreational purposes, do not typically exceed self-imposed monetary limits, and experience little or no financial, psychological or interpersonal damage (Alberta Health Services). The second level describes problem gambling and requires some indicators of a gambling problem or sub-clinical levels that can cause issues but do not meet the full diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling (Alberta Health Services). Problem gambling is defined as an
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involvement in risky gambling behaviors that adversely affect the individual’s well-being potentially with issues related to relationships, family, financial standings, social matters and vocational pursuits (Arizona Council on Compulsive Gambling Inc., 1999). Individuals may move from either end of the continuum or simply maintain a moderate level of problem gambling (Alberta Health Services). The third level describes a significant behavioural addiction to gambling and occupies the end of the continuum. Compulsive gambling is characterized by a continuous or periodic loss of control over gambling activity; a preoccupation with gambling and with obtaining money with which to gamble; irrational thinking; and a continuation of the behavior despite negative consequences (Arizona Council on Compulsive Gambling). Pathophysiology of Gambling
Abnormalities in serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, glutamate, and endorphins have been found in individuals with pathological gambling issues (Pallanti, Rossi, & Hollander, 2006; Ibanez, Blanco, Perez de Castro et al., 2003; Fong & Reid, 2012). Research shows evidence of decreased activity or availability of serotonin which contributes to decreased feelings of well-being and happiness within the pathological gambler. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of norepinephrine were determined to be higher in pathological gamblers (Roy, Adinoff, Roehrich, et al., 1988). Norepinephrine function is associated with arousal and sensation seeking (Gould & Sanders, 2008). As a stress hormone, norepinephrine affects the amygdale in the brain which is responsible for responses of heightened attention. Norepinephrine, in tandem with epinephrine, modulates the fight or flight response which when activated, increases heart rate, releases glucose as available energy from storage, increases oxygen- rich blood available to skeletal muscle and the brain, and can also suppress neuroinflammation within the body. Dopamine function is associated with the reward pathways in the brain (Gould & Sanders). Research shows that every type of reward experienced by the pathological gambler increases the level of dopamine transmission in the brain. Dopamine is known to function in behavior, cognition, voluntary movement, motivation, punishment and reward, inhibition of prolactin production (involved in lactation and sexual gratification), sleep, dreaming, mood, attention, working memory and learning (Duke Medicine News and Communications, 2006). The presence of dopamine stimulates the secretion of the neurotransmitter glutamate, which is known to stimulate the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that remembers the events that contributed to pleasurable experiences as a result of the abundant presence of the glutamate (Lang, 2012). Glutamate is the chemical that secures the pleasurable experience in the memory of the pathological gambler. Endorphins are released during the course of gambling behaviors which produces a feeling of euphoria that pathological gamblers so affectionately describe. Pathological gamblers display deficits in a variety of tasks designed to illustrate executive function (Gould & Sanders, 2008). Researchers tested pathological gamblers using the delay discounting task tests to determine if the individual would indicate a preference for a smaller immediate reward or a larger delayed reward (Goudriaan, Oosterlaan, de Beurs, et al., 2004). It was found that pathological gamblers were more likely to select the immediate reward (Gould & Sanders, 2008). In the Iowa Gambling Tasks, pathological gamblers were more likely to continue to prefer the high-reward, high-loss decks with long-term net loss (Gould & Sanders). Results as shown within these research studies illustrate how pathological gamblers display challenges with executive function in persistently making decisions that lead
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to negative consequences. The phenomenon of poor decision-making is also found in individuals who have damage to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Studies of damage to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex has led to identifying a somatic hypothesis of decision-making. This hypothesis has been proposed for impaired decision-making in pathological gambling (Gould & Sanders). Types of Pathological Gamblers
Pathological gamblers can present in one of two ways. There are the action gamblers and the escape gamblers (Arizona Council on Compulsive Gambling, 1999). Each type of gambler has different motivations for gambling, different preferred gambling activities, and different rates of recovery from gambling. The following table (Table 2: Characteristics of action gamblers versus escape gamblers) illustrates the differences between action and escape gamblers (Arizona Council on Compulsive Gambling). Table 2: Characteristics of action gamblers versus escape gamblers
-likely to have domineering personalities
-tend to start early in life (adolescence)
-prefer games of skill (poker & dice)
Adapted from Emshoff, J., Perkins, A., Zimmerman, L., Moos, A., Zorland, J. (2007). Pathological gambling
treatment literature review (2nd ed.). Georgia State University.
Suicide Risk with Pathological Gamblers
Suicide risk is a very serious consequence for individuals who are challenged by a pathological gambling addiction. Battersby, Tolchard, Scurrah et al. (2006) found that 81% of pathological gamblers in treatment displayed some suicidal ideation, and 30% stated that they had one or more suicide attempts in the preceeding 12 months. Several studies have found that the risk for suicide attempts or ideations is notably higher in those who suffer from gambling addiction compared with those of other disorders (Blaszczynski, & Farrell, 1998; Zangeneh, 2005; Ledgerwood & Petry, 2004; Petry & Kiluk, 2002). Thus, it is important for health care professionals to be vigilant in assessing for suicidal thoughts, especially during admission to the program and during individual relapse by conducting a suicide risk assessment.
Treatment Approaches to Pathological Gambling
Non-pharmacologic treatment approaches for pathological gamblers include self-help opportunities, brief interventions, short-term therapy, psychodynamic therapy, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention, cognitive restructuring, developing healthy coping skills (assertiveness, problem solving, relaxation), and support groups (Gamblers Anonymous) (Fong & Reid, 2012; Gould & Sanders, 2008). Self-help opportunities and internet guided interventions are an economical and expedient
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therapy for some individuals with gambling problems, especially people avoiding treatment due to shame and privacy issues (Gainsbury & Blaszczynski, 2011). King, et al. (2012) summarized the current non-pharmacological best practices as follows:
1) An activity-monitoring schedule may be useful for a clinician and client to develop clarity about the addictive activity. 2) Treatment goals should be realistic and abstinence may not always be possible. Controlled or regulated behaviour may be the goal initially. 3) Behaviour based strategies may be useful to reduced prolonged gambling activity in the initial stages. 4) CBT and especially the cognitive restructuring is useful to modify the core beliefs about gambling 5) Psychoeducation is a useful adjunct to CBT. 6) Motivational Interviewing is a useful adjunct to CBT.
Pathological gamblers have been successful with recovery utilizing a combination of psychopharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions as part of their treatment pathway (Gould & Sanders, 2008). In the last decade, several research studies have been exploring the impact of pharmacologic treatment options on pathological gambling, including antidepressants, mood stabilizers and antipsychotic agents. From these studies, it was determined that the pharmacologic agents that display the most promising profile in treating pathological gambling include opioid receptor antagonists (eg. Naltrexone) and amino acid and glutamate modulators (N-acetyl cysteine) (Hodgins, Stea, & Grant, 2011; Achab & Khazaal, 2011). Naltrexone moderates activity of the mesolimbic dopamine pathway, which is thought to mediate reward and reinforcement, thus reducing urges and thoughts of gambling and gambling behavior (Gould & Sanders). The use of the tricyclic antidepressant clomipramine, and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s) have shown to reduce or eliminate gambling behaviors in a short term context (Gould & Sanders). As well, mood stabilizers (lithium, valproate, and carbamazepine) have assisted in reducing the symptoms of pathological gambling, especially with individuals who may experience co-morbidity with bipolar disorder (Gould & Sanders). Conclusion Like all addictions, gambling is rooted in neurobiological brain structures that are especially susceptible to adverse events in early development. Personal strengths and resilience can counter balance these vulnerabilities. The mid-1990s were the beginning of a remarkable expansion of gambling availability in Alberta and may have added had a negative weight to this scale for many people. On the other side of the balance, effective treatment for behavioral addictions are emerging and treatment outcomes for these conditions appear to be similar to those with other addictive disorders (Fong & Reid, 2012). Recovery based services offer hope of living a meaningful and satisfactory life, building on strengths, and developing resilience.
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Appendix A: Gambling Information Resources
Alberta Gamblers Anonymous: A non-profit, self-sufficient fellowship of recovering pathological gamblers who convene regularly to assist others with recovery from the disease of compulsive gambling. Set a Limit Alberta: A resource to facilitate learning with understanding gambling and its process that facilitates educated decision-making in relation to gambling behavior on an individual level.
Alberta Liquor and Gaming Commission: A Government of Alberta agency responsible for administering the Gaming and Liquor Act regulation, ensuring the gaming and liquor activities in Alberta are conducted honestly, openly and with integrity, and maximizing the economic benefits of gaming and liquor ac Responsible Gambling Council: A non-profit organization dedicated to pathological gambling prevention. Multicultural Gamblers Help Program: A source of culturally sensitive gambling resources
ProblemGambling.ca: This is an online community supported by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) that provides information about pathological gambling to sufferers, others and health care professionals. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Journal of Gambling Issues: This is an online forum that illustrates developments in research, policy and treatment related to gambling and its associated behaviors through peer-reviewed journal articles. International Centre for Youth Gambling and High-Risk Behaviors: Members of the Centre conduct research projects that contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the area of youth gambling and concurrent disorders. In addition, the Centre is involved in training, treatment, prevention, and policy development rela The Alberta Gambling Research Institute: Is a consortium of the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, and the University of Lethbridge (Alberta Gambling Research Institute, 2013) that is funded by the Government of Alberta. Its primary purpose is to support and promote research into gambling in the province (Alberta Gambling Research Institute).
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Many thanks to Julia Ross, the author of The Diet Cure , for her permission to place this questionnaire on the Total Fitness website. My goal in The Diet Cure is to stop your food cravings, address your eating and weight problems, and eliminate your mood swings and negative obsessions about your body. But first we have to determine what is causing these problems. Here is a mini-questionnai