Post 25

BACK TO THE BASICS: Pathological Gambling in Comparison with Substance Abuse

Earlier this month, I attended the California Problem Gambling Training Summit during "National Gambling Awareness Week" in San Diego. The program was excellent with Keynote Speakers, Dr. Deborah Haskins and Mr. Michael Burke, and many workshops filled with substantial information on problem gambling recovery issues. Over two hundred persons attended, many who were just starting out in their work toward gambling counselor certification. It was exciting to see persons of all ages wanting to learn more about treatment and group support for problem gamblers and their loved ones.
Once again, the differences and similarities between compulsive gambling and substance abuse were emphasized throughout the training. So often, I hear folks claim that all addictions are "alike" ... well, yes, in some ways. However, in order to more effectively treat pathological gambling, an understanding of the differences must be learned. Therefore, I have devoted this GRM Blog edition to the below easy-to-read listing of these similarities and the differences.


Similarites

Loss of control
Preoccupation
Negative impact on major life areas
Tolerance (needs more to get the same effect)
Withdrawal symptoms
Treatment and Self-help groups are effective means for recovery
Bio/psycho/social/spiritual disorders
Family involvement


Differences and Unique Characteristics of Pathological Gambling

Gambling is not self-limiting: gambling does not lead to intoxicated stupors
Behavior is not attributable to intoxication
More intense sense of shame and guilt
Greater denial and stronger defenses
Unpredictable outcome
Progression in addiction can be very swift (even less than a year)
Fantasies of success
No biological test
Intellectualizing with an overtime-working mind
Secrecy: gambling acts are easier to hide; an invisible addiction
Greater financial problems
Imperative and immediate need to protect family assets
Intensity of family anger is stronger and there is more confusion experienced by the family
Problems associated with gambling that impact the family tend to be discovered for longer lengths of time into the future
Less public awareness and acceptance
Often considered by the public to be a moral vice instead of an illness

An excellent resource that addresses this issue is a booklet entitled Pathological Gambling & Chemical Dependency available through Project Turnabout/Vanguard (Granite Falls, MN). For more information, visit www.projectturnabout.org
For further information about compulsive gambling and recovery issues, go to www.grmumc.org

Rev. Janet Jacobs
Director, Gambling Recovery Ministries