Measuring Addiction to Gambling
Gambling establishments are one of the growing industries in most nations. Many people are attracted with the games offered in casinos where there is a chance to increase the bets they place. Most of these games require skills and luck. So it would be better if gamblers know every detail of the game they want to participate in.
There are different types of gamblers. They include social or recreational gamblers, escape gamblers and pathological gamblers. Social or recreational gamblers play in casinos for the sake of having fun. On the other hand, escape gamblers visit gambling establishments to express the tensions caused by traumatic experiences in their lives. Lastly, pathological gamblers are believed to be the people who suffer from extreme gambling addiction.
Gambling addiction is one of the negative consequences associated with frequent playing in casinos and being involved in any event that requires betting of money or properties. Studies showed that three percent of adult gamblers will suffer from the mental disorder known as compulsive gambling. Researches also prove that compulsive gambling may result to debt, marital problems, child abuse and domestic conflict. If gambling addiction persists, patients may engage in illegal acts to sustain their financial needs such as theft and even drug trafficking.
The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) was developed by gambling analyst Henry Lesieur and physician Sheila Blume to assess whether a person is suffering from compulsive gambling. The SOGS feature questions which will measure the interest or addiction of a person in gambling. Some of the questions included in the SOGS are the amount of bets usually placed by gamblers and how frequent a person visits casinos or other gambling establishments.
On the other hand, the Gamblers Anonymous has a set of questions known as the 20 Questions, which they ask to new members to know the severity of their addiction to gambling. These include the impact of gambling on the job performance of a patient, the effect of gambling on the financial state of the patient and the urge to win back the losses incurred by a gambler.
Gambling addiction can cause other personal problems as well as ruin one's reputation. In this regard, medical and mental health experts suggest that people experiencing signs of gambling addiction should consult with them to prevent the occurrence of other difficulties such as troubles in the family and financial debt. Gambling may be a form of relaxation for other people, but if it is not regulated, it is possible that patients experiencing compulsive gambling disorder increase.