Essay - Gambling Problem Gambling: No Quick Fix for a Behavior with...

Gambling

Problem Gambling: No quick fix for a beh*****vior with a wide range of social, psychological, and biological causes

Introduction

Gambling is one of the few leisure activities common to all races, classes and cultures. (Griffiths & Delfabbro, 2002) Australia is a n*****tion particularly friendly to gamblers. The practice of gambling was legal since the nation's first white settlements. (McMillen, 2004) For most ********** today, gambling seems like a harmless 'flutter.' 80-90% of adults gamble. So why do some individuals become problem gamblers? (Dickerson, Baron, Hong, & Cottrell, 1996)

Problem ***** is an incapacitating d*****order that often results in failure to maintain financial solvency. (American Psychiatric Association, 1980, p. 324, cited by Dickerson, Baron, Hong, & *****, 1996) Mark ***** ***** Paul ***** (2002) urge ***** the treatment of ***** gamblers must have a holistic approach. There is no single explanation for problem gambling. The biochemistry and psychology of particular human brains, social pressures, cultures and the methods available for ***** all affect the *****lihood of gambling becoming problematic rather than pleasurable to the individual.

*****: Gambling in Australia Today—Causes and solutions

Different contemporary psychological models suggest gambling may be an addictive disorder, an unresolved conflict, a biological imbal*****ce ***** brain chemicals, learned **********, or the result of irrational thinking. (Blaszczynski, 2003) Gambling is classified as irrational thinking because although almost ***** activities are weighted strongly in favour ***** the house gamblers continue to believe ********** can win money from ***** (Walker, 1992).

**********, gambling has a very central place in the Australian le*****ure industry, and politically ***** revenue generated from gaming ***** funded many major social works initiatives. Economically, families can become ruined. Families ***** problem ***** often lack the revenue necessary for their own basic necessities if one of the spouses has a gambling problem. (Productivity Commission, 1999, p. 91, cited in Griffiths ***** Delfabbro, 2002)

Spouses of problem gamblers *****ten reported physical and emotional problems similar to those of ***** gambler (Dickerson, 1995). These ranged from ********** ***** being unable to provide basic medical care, ***** depression. But although the spouses' physical ***** mental health may have been equally affected by financial worries and marital conflict, addicted ***** seem to have a greater ***** or chemical need for arousal or relaxation. It is unclear if this would be sufficient to explain the d*****ferences between normal and excessive *****. This flies in the face of assertions by ethicists who sniff at the idea of gambling as an uncontrollable compulsion. (Barrett, *****) Even when both are afflicted by ***** economic ruin ***** gambling, ***** and non-gambling spouses seem to ***** different biological wiring.

Certain demographics impact the venue of gambling behavior. Younger gamblers are more apt ***** use the Internet. Women are ***** likely to use slot machines than bet on sports. Lower income individuals use slot machines ***** ***** horse racing. Yet, not e***** group gambl*****s ***** often, demographically. Protestants seem less likely ***** gamble than Catholics. Culture plays a role, ********** demographics affect ***** choice gambling venue