About 1% of American adults—nearly 3 million people—are pathological gamblers. Another 2%–3% have less serious but still significant problems, and as many as 15 million are at risk, with at least two of the symptoms described by the American Psychiatric Association.
What is Problem Gambling?
Problem gambling/Pathological gambling involves five or more of the following:
- Preoccupation with past, present, and future gambling experiences and with ways to obtain money for gambling.
- Need to increase the amount of wagers.
- Repeated unsuccessful efforts to cut back or stop.
- Becoming restless or irritable when trying to cut back or stop.
- Gambling to escape from everyday problems or to relieve feelings of helplessness, anxiety, or depression.
- Trying to recoup immediately after losing money (chasing losses).
- Lying about gambling.
- Committing illegal acts to finance gambling.
- Losing or jeopardizing a personal relationship, job, or career opportunity because of gambling.
- Requesting gifts or loans to pay gambling debts.
At Arcadia University, Counseling Services can provide a beginning assessment of gambling addiction and, in addition to providing support and information for those who need stabilization, can provide a referral to off-campus treatment facilities.
|The Gambling Counselor
C P Mirarchi, JD, MA, NCGC-II
- Individual counseling for gamblers, spouses/partners, couples, and families
215-468-1991 (Phila. Area) www.gamblersanonymous.org
- Provides information on local meetings
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