Post
104
The
entire month of March is …
NATIONAL
PROBLEM GAMBLING AWARENESS MONTH!
The theme
for NPGAM 2018 is “Have the Conversation” and
The goals
of this national campaign are:
1. to
increase public awareness of problem gambling and the availability of
prevention, treatment, and recovery services
2. to
encourage healthcare providers to screen clients for problem gambling
Therefore, within this March edition of the GRM Blog are the following:
·
a conversational description about gambling disorder
·
a clinical screen
What
is Gambling Disorder?
Gambling
is betting something valuable on an event that is determined by chance.
The gambler hopes that he or she will ‘win,’ and gain something of value. Once
placed, a bet cannot be taken back. When most people think of gambling, they
think of slots machines and casinos. But, it’s important to understand that
playing bingo, buying lottery tickets, even betting on office pools—all of
these, and many other activities, are forms of gambling.
Mental health professionals have developed criteria
that help to identify when someone has a problem. For example, many
professionals use the DSM criteria. The DSM is a handbook published by the
American Psychiatric Association. Professionals use the DSM to diagnose
psychological problems. The newest version of the DSM lists Gambling Disorder
alongside other addictive behaviors.
The DSM-5 provides a series of symptoms commonly
found among people with gambling problems. The symptoms include:
A. Persistent and recurrent problematic gambling
behavior leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as indicated
by the individual exhibiting four (or more) of the following in a 12-month
period:
1. Needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money
in order to achieve the desired excitement.
2. Is restless or irritable when attempting to cut
down or stop gambling.
3. Has made repeated unsuccessful efforts to
control, cut back, or stop gambling.
4. Is often preoccupied with gambling (e.g., having
persistent thoughts of reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or
planning the next venture, thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble).
5. Often gambles when feeling distressed (e.g.,
helpless, guilty, anxious, depressed).
6. After losing money gambling, often returns
another day to get even (“chasing” one’s losses).
7. Lies to conceal the extent of involvement with
gambling.
8. Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship,
job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling.
9. Relies on
others to provide money to relieve desperate financial situations caused by
gambling.
B. The gambling behavior is not better explained by
a manic episode.
People
meet the DSM standard for gambling disorder when they satisfy 4 of these
criteria.
Gambling problems exist with every form of gambling
activity. It’s not just associated with casinos or Internet gambling. Bingo
players, lottery players, casino players, and friends playing poker all can
develop gambling disorders.
People with Gambling Disorder continue gambling
despite bad consequences. For example, they might not fulfill work or home
duties, or have legal problems. They also might have repeated social problems,
like getting into fights and conflicts with other people. People with Gambling
Disorder are preoccupied with gambling. They may try to quit unsuccessfully or
hide their behavior. They might also commit crimes to pay for their gambling.
RESOURCE: DIVISION ON ADDICTION ● OUTPATIENT ADDICTION
SERVICES CAMBRIDGE HEALTH ALLIANCE READINESS FOR GAMBLING EXPANSION (CHARGE) WWW.DIVISIONONADDICTION.ORG/CAMBRIDGE-HEALTH-ALLIANCE-READINESS-FOR-GAMBLING-EXPANSION
NOTE: The above information on Gambling Disorder is
provided to the public as part of the National
Problem Gambling Awareness Month sponsored by the National Council on
Problem Gambling at www.ncpgambling.org
Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen (BBGS)
Questionnaire
Name ________________________________ Date _______________
To screen for potential gambling-related problems,
please ask the following questions:
1. During the past 12 months, have you become
restless irritable or anxious when trying to stop/cut down on gambling? • Yes •
No
2. During the past 12 months, have you tried to keep
your family or friends from knowing how much you gambled? • Yes • No
3. During the past 12 months did you have such
financial trouble as a result of your gambling http://www.divisiononaddiction.org/gambling-disorder-screening-day-2018-toolkit/that
you had to get help with living expenses from family, friends or welfare? • Yes
• No
Resource: DIVISION ON ADDICTION •
OUTPATIENT ADDICTION SERVICES CAMBRIDGE HEALTH ALLIANCE READINESS FOR GAMBLING
EXPANSION (CHARGE) www.divisiononaddiction.org ● www.basisonline.org ●
www.expressionsofaddiction.com ● www.thetransparencyproject.org
NOTE: The above information on Gambling Disorder is
provided to the public as part of the National
Problem Gambling Awareness Month sponsored by the National Council on
Problem Gambling at www.ncpgambling.org
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION: Go to the following http://www.divisiononaddiction.org/gambling-disorder-screening-day-2018-toolkit/
So
this month, start and share the conversation and provide the information and websites!
Blessings,Rev. Janet Jacobs, CCGSO
Founding Director
Gambling Recovery Ministries
www.grmumc.org
For
more information on problem gambling and recovery issues, visit:
www.indianaproblemgambling.org 
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