Pathological gambling
According to the Institute of Mental Health (Bach Mai Hospital), in medicine, gambling disorder (pathological gambling, gambling addiction) is repetitive gambling behavior that leads to problems for the individual. , family and society.
Addiction to gambling, betting, and games of chance can be a mental disorder, similar to substance addiction (alcohol, drugs).
Doctor Le Thi Thu Ha, Head of Department M7 (Institute of Mental Health), added that adults and adolescents with gambling disorder have difficulty controlling their gambling and continue even when it causes disturbances in life. Gambling addiction, or game of chance, is a mental disorder comparable to alcohol and drug addiction.
As with other addictions, the brain's reward system is disrupted. Gambling addiction is an uncontrollable urge to continue gambling, regardless of the cost of the game and the impact on life. The urge to gamble becomes so great that the stress can only be relieved by gambling more and more.
Hospitalized due to addiction to betting and games of chance
Recently, doctors at the Institute of Mental Health received and treated a 34-year-old male patient (doing business), residing in H.Ky Anh, Ha Tinh province, whose family brought him to the hospital for examination after a period of illness. This guy is bored and leaves home to gamble, day and night.
Using his medical history, the doctors learned that the patient started gambling when he was a university student, mainly betting on football with little frequency and amount of money.
After graduating in Business Administration, the patient worked at a foreign company for 4 years, earning a good income. During this time, the patient gambled more and borrowed money from friends. After that, the patient became self-employed due to job loss and divorce.
Patients gamble more, their debt amounts to billions of dong, but they still continue to borrow. When bored, stressed or when they have money, patients leave home to go to internet cafes to play Sic Bo and bet on football.
About 6 months before admission, the patient was tired, lost weight (10 kg/6 months), and was bored because he had lost all his social relationships and lost his family because of gambling, but still could not stop playing.
Regarding the relationship between "gambling addiction" and mental health, specialist doctor 2 Bui Nguyen Hong Bao Ngoc, Deputy Head of Department M7, Institute of Mental Health, analyzed: "Like other addictions, the system The brain's reward system is disturbed. Gambling addiction is an uncontrollable urge to continue gambling, regardless of the cost of the game and the impact on life.
Studies have found that people with gambling disorder have very high rates of personality disorders (over 60%), emotional disorders (about 50%), and over 40% have anxiety disorders.
For cases of gambling addiction, patients are treated with medication, combining psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and brief motivational interventions. After being discharged from the hospital, they need follow-up examinations and a lot of psychological support from their families and therapists.
According to Dr. Ngoc, the only way to prevent "gambling disorder" is not to play, not to indulge in "red and black" hobbies.
To prevent recurrence of pathological gambling, patients need to be isolated from betting games. Besides, there needs to be the coordination of family attention and personal efforts. Patients may need to be treated with the following methods: psychotherapy, brain modulation, combined pharmacotherapy. After being discharged from the hospital, they need follow-up examinations and a lot of psychological support from their families and therapists.
Signs of gambling addiction
Persistent and problem gambling behavior leading to significant impairment or distress, when 4 (or more) of the following occur within a 12-month period:
The need to gamble increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired excitement.
Restlessness or irritability when trying to cut down or stop gambling.
Successful attempts have been made to control, reduce or stop gambling.
Often preoccupied with gambling (e.g., having persistent thoughts about reliving past gambling experiences or planning the next venture, thinking of ways to get money to gamble).
Often gambles when feeling distressed (e.g., helpless, guilty, anxious, depressed).
After a gambling loss, it is common to come back another day to break even (“chasing” the loss).
Lying to conceal the extent of gambling involvement.
Has jeopardized or lost a relationship or job due to gambling.
Relying on others to provide funds to alleviate desperate financial situations caused by gambling.
*Patients and families can contact the Institute of Mental Health for mental health consultation: 02435765344 – 0984104115, email: nimhvn@gmail.com
(Institute of Mental Health, Bach Mai Hospital)
