Problem gambling or ludomania is repetitive gambling behavior despite harm and negative consequences. Problem gambling may be diagnosed as a mental disorder according to DSM-5 if certain diagnostic criteria are met. Pathological gambling is a common disorder associated with social and family costs.
The DSM-5 has re-classified the condition as an addictive disorder, with those affected exhibiting many similarities to those with substance addictions. The term gambling addiction has long been used in the recovery movement. Pathological gambling was long considered by the American Psychiatric Association to be an impulse-control disorder rather than an addiction. However, data suggest a closer relationship between pathological gambling and substance use disorders than exists between PG and obsessive–compulsive disorder, mainly because the behaviors in problem gambling and most primary substance use disorders (i.e., those not resulting from a desire to "self-medicate" for another condition such as depression) seek to activate the brain's reward mechanisms while the behaviors characterizing obsessive-compulsive disorder are prompted by overactive and misplaced signals from the brain's fear mechanisms.
Problem gambling is an addictive behavior with a high comorbidity with alcohol problems. A common tendency shared by people who have a gambling addiction is impulsivity.
Signs and symptoms
Research by governments in Australia led to a universal definition for that country which appears to be the only research-based definition not to use diagnostic criteria: "Problem gambling is characterized by many difficulties in limiting money and/or time spent on gambling which leads to adverse consequences for the gambler, others, or for the community." The University of Maryland Medical Center defines pathological gambling as "being unable to resist impulses to gamble, which can lead to severe personal or social consequences".
Most other definitions of problem gambling can usually be simplified to any gambling that causes harm to the gambler or someone else in any way; however, these definitions are usually coupled with descriptions of the type of harm or the use of diagnostic criteria. The DSM-V has since reclassified pathological gambling as gambling disorder and has listed the disorder under substance-related and addictive disorders rather than impulse-control disorders. This is due to the symptomatology of the disorder resembling an addiction not dissimilar to that of a substance use disorder. To be diagnosed, an individual must have at least four of the following symptoms in 12 months: Needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired excitement Is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling Has made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling 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) Often gambles when feeling distressed (e.g., helpless, guilty, anxious, depressed) After losing money gambling, often returns another day to get even ("chasing" one's losses) Lies to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, education, or career opportunity because of gambling Relies on others to provide money to relieve desperate financial situations caused by gambling
Factors that lead to gambling addiction
Mayo Clinic specialists state that compulsive gambling may result from biological, genetic, and environmental factors, such as: mental health disorders (the presence of substance use disorders, personality disorders, emotional states) age and sex (usually found in youth or middle-aged people, and more common to men than women) impact of family or friends personality traits video games (including any factors that resemble gambling such as slot machines or loot boxes) drugs with rare side-effects (for example, antipsychotic medications or dopamine agonists).
Other studies add the following triggers to the mentioned above: traumatic conditions job-related stress solitude other addictions
If not treated, problem gambling may cause severe and lasting effects on an individual's life: relationship-related issues problems with money, bankruptcy legal problems, imprisonment health problems suicide, including suicidal thoughts and attempts