Health Topics for Mental and Emotional Health

Department of Psychiatry

Compulsive gambling

Many people enjoy gambling once in a while. However, the difference between social gambling and pathological gambling is like the difference between social drinking and alcoholism. Like alcoholism, excessive gambling can ruin the life of the gambler as well as the lives of the gambler's family.

People who become pathological gamblers are often highly competitive, energetic, easily bored people. They may be very dependent on the approval of other people. As a result, they may be very generous. More men than women suffer from pathological gambling and are more likely to seek treatment for it.

How can you tell when someone you care about may have crossed the line into pathological gambling? Look for several of the following signs:

• fails to stop or cut back on gambling
• gets in a bad mood when tries to quit gambling
• tries to make up money lost in gambling, by gambling
• lies to people about how much time is spent gambling
• has committed illegal acts to get money to gamble
• has ruined a relationship, job, or school with gambling and
• tries to get other people to cover financial problems caused by gambling

Pathological gambling is a serious problem. One in five people in treatment for it has attempted suicide. Your local chapter of Gambler's Anonymous can help you or the person you love deal with this problem.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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