Pathological Gambling - ACPN

Pathological Gambling

Pathological Gambling – is now defined as persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behavior meeting at least five of the following criteria, as long as these behaviors are not better explained by a manic episode:

  1. Preoccupation. The subject has frequent thoughts about gambling experiences, whether past, future, or fantasy.
  2. Tolerance. As with drug tolerance, the subject requires larger or more frequent wagers to experience the same “rush”.
  3. Withdrawal. Restlessness or irritability associated with attempts to cease or reduce gambling.
  4. Escape. The subject gambles to improve mood or escape problems.
  5. Chasing. The subject tries to win back gambling losses with more gambling.
  6. Lying. The subject tries to hide the extent of his or her gambling by lying to family, friends, or therapists.
  7. Stealing in order to feed their gambling addiction.
  8. Loss of control. The person has unsuccessfully attempted to reduce gambling.
  9. Illegal acts. The person has broken the law in order to obtain gambling money or recover gambling losses. This may include acts of theft, embezzlement, fraud,forgery, or bad checks.
  10. Risked significant relationship. The person gambles despite risking or losing arelationship, job, or other significant opportunity.
  11. Bailout. The person turns to family, friends, or another third party for financial assistance as a result of gambling.