Gambling Addiction and Debt

Over the past couple of decades, gambling has been on the rise in the United States. Wherever gambling goes, debt is sure to follow.

Some studies have disagreed on a clear link between living near casinos and bankruptcy rates. A recent Federal Reserve study found the closer a county is to a casino, the higher the rates of bankruptcy. Wherever the casinos are located, debt seems to find them.

Gambling and debt can have extreme effects. A 2005 Oregon study of gamblers who sought treatment found their average gambling debt hit $23,331. But the really startling numbers had nothing to do with money. Of the 1,700 treated gamblers, 28 percent had alcohol-related problems; 23 percent reported committing a crime to get money to gamble; 18 percent reported suicidal thoughts; and 10 percent reported a suicide attempt.  

Mental health officials consider pathological gambling, the most severe form of gambling addiction, as a mental disorder. Pathological gamblers can show some or all of the following symptoms:

• Committing crimes to get gambling money
• Restlessness or irritability when trying to cut back or quit gambling
• Gambling to escape problems, sadness or anxiety
• Gambling larger amounts of money to try to make back previous losses
• Many unsuccessful attempts to cut back or quit gambling
• Losing a job, relationship, or educational or career opportunity due to gambling
• Lying about the amount of time or money spent gambling
• Needing to borrow money to get by due to gambling losses
• Needing to gamble larger sums of money in order to feel excitement
• Spending a lot of time thinking about gambling.

A pathological gambler might suffer bankruptcy, divorce, job loss, or participate in criminal activity. Depression, anxiety, drug problems, alcohol problems and even heart attacks are other things that could strike them. More ominously, studies suggest a high suicide rate among pathological gamblers.

As you can see some of the grim consequences of gambling – financially, emotionally, and potentially mortally – yousehould ask, does any of this description fit you? Then there are several places that you can look for guidance in dealing with your problem. The Web site www.gamblersanonymous.com has resources that can assist you in getting the help that you need.  For depression, see http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/complete-index.shtml. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is at 800-273-TALK (8255).