Posted on November 5, 2009 - by admin

Gambling Addiction

If you feel someone you know shows signs of gambling addiction, read the following sign and decide for yourself. Telling lies to friends and family members about the behavior and a preoccupation with gambling is one red flag. Specific mental health disorders often coexist in people with a gambling addiction, like depression, alcoholism, panic disorder and narcissistic personality disorder.
Unfortunately, many pathological gamblers also have a high rate of suicide. Pathological gambling affects more men than women, more young people than seniors and more African Americans than other ethnic groups. Exposure to gambling when young, access to gambling facilities and a family history of gambling addiction can all increase a person’s risk of developing the addiction.
Some researchers feel it is a chemical imbalance in the brain that plays a role in developing pathological gambling behavior. It is important for people with a gambling addiction to consult with a psychiatrist for a thorough physical and psychiatric evaluation. Treatment for gamblers can include medication, such as antidepressants and mood stabilizers, and sometimes psychotherapy can help as well.