Examining Your Gambling Predicament: Health Ministry's Evaluation Tool

Examining Your Gambling Predicament: Health Ministry's Evaluation Tool

In the pinch, it's crucial to chop down the distinction between problematic and pathological gambling. Problematic gamblers may overspend on gambling, negatively impacting their quality of life and relationships, yet managing some control. On the flip side, a pathological gambler is trapped, unable to escape the grasp of their addiction. These individuals lose control over their lives, spending inordinate amounts of time and money on gambling, often experiencing withdrawal symptoms when they stop, and possibly resorting to illegal activities to finance their habit.

So, how can you measure the risk of problematic or pathological gambling? Here's a self-assessment test that requires answering the questions below.

Answer options: Never - 0, Sometimes - 1, Most of the time - 2, Almost always - 3 (for the past 12 months).

Questions:

1. Have you ever overspent on gambling than you planned?
2. Have you found yourself needing to bet more to feel excitement?
3. Have you ever attempted to win back losses?
4. Have you turned to borrowing money or selling belongings to fund gambling?
5. Have gambling-related thoughts consumed your mind (e.g., planning bets, reliving games, anticipating the next one)?
6. Have people criticized your gambling behavior or said you have an issue?
7. Have you ever felt remorse or emptiness due to gambling?
8. Has gambling led to stress, anxiety, or health issues?
9. Have gambling-related problems caused financial, reputational, family, or work complications?

A higher score indicates a higher risk of gambling addiction.

• 0 points = No gambling problems.
• 1-2 points = Few or minimal problems with no or limited negative consequences.
• 3-7 points = Moderate problems; at risk of developing a gambling addiction.
• 8 points or more = Existing gambling problems with a potential loss of control and development of pathological gambling addiction.

Scuttlebutt from the gambling worldwide scene:

• Ukraine establishes a gambling addiction support center
• Interview with Psychologist Tatiana Sinitskaya on aiding gamblers in recovery and the new support center

Gambling Addiction Signs and Symptoms

Problematic gambling entails behaviors that lead to harm, not quite meeting the clinical threshold for a formal diagnosis. Symptoms include:

• Preoccupation with gambling (e.g., constant planning or dwelling on past gambling experiences).
• Chasing losses (betting more to recover lost money).
• Concealing gambling habits through lies (e.g., hiding expenses and time spent gambling).
• Gambling to escape stress, guilt, or anxiety.
• Mild financial strain or relational tension without severe consequences.

Pathological gambling, on the other hand, is a recognized mental health disorder that involves compulsive behavior despite severe consequences. Symptoms include all of the mentioned problematic gambling signs and:

• Loss of control (inability to reduce or quit gambling).
• Withdrawal symptoms (feeling restlessness or irritability during breaks from gambling).
• Jeopardizing major relationships, employment, or education.
• Engaging in illegal acts (e.g., theft, fraud) to fund gambling.
• Financial ruin (e.g., bankruptcy, unpayable debts).

When it comes to severity, diagnosis, behavioral control, consequences, and prevalence, both conditions differ significantly. If you need help dealing with gambling issues, professional treatment can provide valuable assistance, with pathological gambling typically requiring more intensive therapy and medication.

1. Following the survey, those who have scored 0 points may not have any gambling problems.
2. If the score is between 1 and 2, an individual might have few or minimal problems with gambling, leading to no or limited negative consequences.
3. A score of 3 to 7 indicates moderate problems, suggesting a higher risk of developing a gambling addiction.
4. A score of 8 points or more indicates existing gambling problems that may lead to a potential loss of control and development of pathological gambling.
5. In Ukraine, a gambling addiction support center has been established, offering aid to compulsive gamblers in recovery.
6. An interview with Psychologist Tatiana Sinitskaya featured insights on aiding gamblers in recovery and the new support center, discussing various symptoms and treatments related to problematic and pathological gambling.

Read also: