Q: I am concerned about my friend who I think may have a problem with gambling. She is always going on weekend trips to places that have casinos and loves to play the slot machines. She also goes to bingo in town at least once a week. She tells me when she wins (sometimes thousands of dollars) but she never tells me when she loses. I know her husband has to keep on working, even though he is past retirement age, to pay the bills. Can I do anything to help?
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A: At one time people who got into trouble with gambling were known as compulsive gamblers, but now it is not thought to be a compulsion, but more a problem with impulse control. The milder version is called problem gambling where the person may gamble more than most people and get into financial difficulties as a result, but this is not as bad as pathological gambling that is classified by the diagnostic manual of mental disorders as having the following characteristics:
- Preoccupation. The subject has frequent thoughts about gambling experiences, whether past, future or fantasy.
- Tolerance. This is similar to drugs where the person requires larger or more frequent wagers to experience the same rush.
- Withdrawal. Restlessness or irritability associated with attempts to stop or cut back on gambling.
- Escape. The person gambles to improve their mood or to escape problems.
- Chasing. The subject tries to win back gambling losses with more gambling and higher stakes.
- Lying. The subject tries to hide the extent of his or her gambling by lying to family, friends or therapists.
- Loss of control. The person has unsuccessfully attempted to reduce gambling.
- Illegal acts. The person has broken the law in order to obtain gambling money or recover gambling losses. This may include acts of theft, fraud, forgery or writing bad cheques..
- Risked significant relationship. The person gambles despite risking or losing a relationship, job or other significant opportunity.
- Bailout. The person turns to family, friends, or another third party for financial assistance as a result of the gambling problem.
Researchers have found that pathological gamblers may have lower levels of the brain chemical norepinephrine than normal people. This substance is released into the body when a person is under stress or is excited. The theory is that in order to maintain this level of happiness or excitement, the gambler plays with greater frequency and more money. There are similarities to alcoholism and drug abuse, so the person may have an addictive type of personality. Quite often there is a family history of one or more addictions.
Having described the most severe form of gambling behaviour, it does not sound as though your friend fits the description, although she may be lying to you regarding the number of times she goes out gambling. She still has a husband and a home, although he may be getting tired of having to keep on working and there could soon be a crisis.
The best way to find out if she needs help is for her to visit one of the provincial alcohol and drug abuse clinics that also deal with pathological or problem gambling. They have specially trained counselors who can offer either group or individual therapy. In Saskatchewan, there is a problem gambling help line at 800-306-6789 for free, 24 hour counseling, information and referral services. In British Columbia, the number is 888-795-6111.
Do not lend your friend any money, and do not accompany her on any of her gambling trips. You probably won’t be able to talk her out of it yourself. Leave that to the professionals or you may no longer have her as a friend.
Clare Rowson is a retired medical doctor living near Belleville, Ont. Her columns are intended for general information only. Individuals are encouraged to also seek the advice of their own doctor regarding medical questions and treatments.
