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MoneyTalk: Gambling Disorders
December 18, 2019 @ 4:31 pm CST
In this episode of MoneyTalk, Dr. Barbara O’Neill gives her 5 key takeaways fro our October 22, 2019 webinar Gambling Disorders: Special Considerations for Service Members which was presented by Dr. Loreen Rugle. Watch the recording here.
Show Notes
- What are the technical definitions of gambling, gambling disorder, and problem gambling?
- The technical definition of gambling is playing games of chance for money (or another prize) or taking a risk of some sort in order to gain an advantage;
- A Gamblers Anonymous handbook defines gambling as any betting or wagering, whether for money or not, no matter how slight or insignificant, where the outcome is uncertain or depends on chance
- Another common definition is risking something of value on an activity with a uncertain outcome
- A gambling disorder is defined according to a set of diagnostic criteria commonly referred to as DSM-5. There are 10 criteria items. A mild disorder is 4-5 criteria; moderate: 6-7 criteria, severe: 8-9 criteria
- Google “gambling disorder DSM5” and you will fund a detailed list of the diagnostic criteria for problem gambling: https://www.psychiatry.org/Patients-Families/Gambling-Disorder
- Problem gambling is characterized by difficulty limiting time and/or money spent on gambling, which has adverse consequences for the gambler and others
- What are some common signs that someone has a gambling disorder? DSM-5 diagnostic criteria are:
- #1-Needs to gamble with increased amounts of money to achieve desired excitement level
- #2-Is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling
- #3-Has made repeated attempts to control, cut back, or stop gambling
- #4-Is often preoccupied with gambling (e.g., gambling experiences and handicapping bets)
- #5-Often gambles when feeling distressed, helpless, guilty, anxious, or depressed
- #6-After losing money gambling, returns another day to “get even” (this is called “chasing”)
- #7-Lies to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling
- #8-Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or opportunity because of gambling
- #9-Relies on others to provide money to relieve desperation financial situations caused by gambling
- What were some statistics about gambling and service members that were shared in the webinar?
- There were over 3,000 slot machines on overseas U.S. military bases
- A very small percentage (.03%) of service members are diagnosed with gambling disorder or seen for problem gambling but…screening questions for gambling disorder are typically not used
- No clear guidance on addressing gambling disorder in the military
- Air Force study of 31,108 recruits; 6.2% with problem gambling and 1.9% with disordered gambling
- S. Veterans have been found to have elevated rates of problems with gambling compared to non-Veterans; approximately 2.2% screened positive for at-risk or pathological gambling
- Studies found links of gambling to bankruptcy, domestic violence, homelessness, and threats to others
- What are some ways that people are screened for gambling disorders?
- There are a number of different sets of screening questions that are available to professionals
- The screening questions have names like NORC DSM, Lie/Bet, NODS, and GA 20 Questions
- The screens ask questions like “Have you ever gambled as a way to escape from personal problems?”
- The speaker, Dr. Loreen Rugle, said that many screens do not work well in clinical practice because they give the illusion of addressing the issue
- If clients don’t endorse screen items, counselors think that the clients don’t have any gambling problems
- The speaker recommended starting a conversation versus identifying a problem; ask questions like “How do you budget for fun and recreation?” and “What are your favorite entertainment activities?”
- What are the six steps in financial planning for recovery?
- #1-Clarify debt
- #2-Identify expenses
- #3-Identify/predict income
- #4-Create a budget
- #5-Debt repayment plan (e.g., credit counseling agency DMP, chapter 13 bankruptcy)
- #6-Money protection plan (direct deposits, third-party notification, “no-touch” money, spendthrift clauses)