PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING: AN HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH

Pathological gambling involves repeated problematic gambling behavior that causes significant problems or distress. It is also called gambling disorder or compulsive gambling or gambling addiction.

Pathological gambling is characterized by two or more episodes of gambling per year which have no profitable outcome, but are continued despite personal distress and interference with personal functioning in daily living. The person has an intense urge to gamble which is difficult to control and cannot stop gambling by effort of will. Preoccupation with thoughts or mental images of gambling and situations surrounding gambling is often present.

Gambling can stimulate brain’s reward system much like drugs or alcohol can, leading to addiction. Pathological gambling is a serious condition that can destroys lives.  If the person has a problem with pathological gambling, they may continually chase bets that lead to losses, hide their behavior, deplete savings, accumulate debt, or even resort to theft or fraud to support their addiction.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of pathological gambling include:

·         Being preoccupied with gambling, such as constantly planning how to get more gambling money.

·         Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to get the same thrill

·         Trying to control, cutback or stop gambling, without success

·         Feeling restless or irritable when they try to cut down on gambling

·         Gambling to escape problems or relieve feelings of helplessness , guilt, anxiety, or depression

·         Trying to get back lost money by gambling more ( chasing losses )

·         Lying to family members or others to hide the extent  of their gambling

·         Jeopardizing or losing important relationships, a job, or school or work opportunities because of gambling

·         Resorting to theft or fraud to get gambling money

·         Asking others to bail the person out of financial trouble because they gambled money away

Unlike most causal gamblers who stop when losing or set a loss limit, people with a compulsive gambling problem are compelled to keep paying to recover their money-a pattern that becomes increasingly destructive over time. Some people with a pathological gambling problem may have remission where they gamble less or not at all for a period of time.

Causes

Exactly what causes someone to gamble compulsively is not well –understood. Like many problems, compulsive gambling may result from a combination of biological, genetic and environmental factors.

Risk factors

Although most people who play cars or wager never develop a gambling problem, certain factors are more often associated with pathological gambling:

·         Mental health disorders. People who gamble compulsively often have substance abuse problems, personality disorders, depression, and anxiety. Compulsive gambling may also be associated with bipolar disorder, obsessive –compulsive disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

·         Age. Pathological gambling is more common in younger and middle aged people. Gambling during childhood or the teenage years increases the risk of developing compulsive gambling. However , compulsive gambling in the older adult population can also be a problem.

·         Sex. Pathological gambling is more common in men than women. Women who gamble typically start later in life and may become addicted quickly. But gambling patterns among men and women have become increasingly similar.

·         Family or friend influence.  If the person’s family members or friends have a gambling problem, the chances are greater that the person will, too.

·         Medications used to treat Parkinson’s disease and restless legs syndrome. Drugs called dopamine agonists have a rare side effect that may result in compulsive behaviors, including gambling, in some people.

Complications

Pathological gambling can have profound and long-lasting consequences for the person’s life, such as:

·         Relationship problems

·         Financial problems, including bankruptcy

·         Legal problems or imprisonment

·         Poor work performance or job loss

·         Suicide, suicide attempts or suicidal thoughts

Prevention

Although there is no proven way to prevent a gambling problem, educational programs that target individuals and groups at increased risk may be helpful.

If the person have risk factors for compulsive gambling , consider avoiding  gambling in any form, people who gamble and places where gambling occurs. Get treatment at the earliest sign of a problem to help prevent gambling from becoming worse. 

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced all over the world. It strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance  at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. When PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING  is concerned there are many effective medicines available in Homoeopathy , but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient , considering mental and physical symptoms.

LYCOPODIUM CLAVATUM: Timid persons. Loss of self confidence. Poor self-esteem. Very difficult to take decisions. Weak memory and confused thoughts. Cranky. Miserly.

MERCURIOUS: Great gamblers. Sometimes spending money freely and sometimes close-fisted. Spending day by day what they earn. Weak-minded people. Poor self-confidence.  Always dissatisfied with everything, everybody and themselves.

NUX VOMICA:  Addicted to alcohol. Head-strong, self willed persons. Fear of poverty. Very irritable persons, easily angered and impatient. Pessimistic. Hypochondriasis.

SULPHUR:  Gamblers with the habit of thieving. Tobacco users.

OTHER MEDICINES: Arsenic alb, Belladonna, Causticum, China officinalis, Veratrum alb.