Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is pathological gambling similar to chemical dependency?
A: Yes and no. They are similar in that they both include an inability to stop the behavior. There is also apt to be dishonesty, denial, depression, and mood swings producing simlar effects on those concerned for the affected. However, the two are different in that pathological gambling is easier to cover up or hide compared to chemical dependency. Gamblers don't stagger, put needles in their arms, or smell of cards and dice.
Q: Are children affected by pathological gambling?
A: The answer is yes, and in several ways. Children of gamblers may be both physically and emotionally abandoned by their parents in terms of nurturing. They are left with others (or alone) while their parents gamble. They may spend hours each week with babysitters, giving them the sense of being abandoned. In addition, the dysfunction of a pathological gambler's home can have a significant impact on the development of a child.
Q: Are gamblers addicted to money?
A: Gamblers are not addicted to money but they are addicted to the action. Being in the action for a gambler is like the high or relief from anxiety the chemically dependent person gets from the use of cocaine or alcohol. Pathological gamblers have little interest in the outcome of their gambling (winning or losing).
Q: Can recovery be realized?
A: Yes. Pathological gambling has been recognized as a major addiction illness similar to chemical dependency. It is characterized by the sudden high from winning and the extreme depression and frustration of losing. Recovery can be achieved through treatment and aftercare in the hands of a competent, effective professional.
