gambling and depression in atlantic city

Problem gambling may be perceived as a grey area in healthcare, so it is very easy for medical professionals to overlook it. GPs routinely ask patients about smoking cigarettes and drinking, but gambling is something that is not generally discussed. For instance, one study found that at least 65 percent of pathological gamblers reported at least one physical side effect during withdrawal from a list that includes insomnia, headaches, loss of appetite, physical weakness, heart racing, muscle aches, breathing difficulty and chills.īased on these findings, problem gambling is very much a health issue-and one that needs to be taken seriously by all medical professionals. Research has also shown that health-related problems can occur as a result of withdrawal effects. Clearly, many of these health issues are the consequence of the stress caused by gambling-related financial problems, but that doesn't make it any less of a health issue for those suffering from severe gambling problems. These included depression, anxiety, stomach problems and thoughts of suicide. national gambling helpline I co-founded, indicated that a small minority of callers reported health problems as a result of their gambling.

In my BMJ article I also noted that analysis of calls to the GamCare, a U.K. And health consequences for problem gamblers and their partners include depression, insomnia, intestinal disorders, migraine and other stress-related disorders. Personal costs can include irritability, extreme moodiness, problems with personal relationships (including divorce), absenteeism from work, neglect of family and bankruptcy. Back in 2004, I published an article in the BMJ arguing that the social and health costs of problem gambling are immense. This is a very big problem indeed-especially when you factor in the misery that it can inflict on their loved ones.įor many years, I have been arguing that GPs should be in the front line of screening people for gambling addiction.

The survey also found that a further 4.3 percent had gambling problems that 'were low to medium in severity.' That's around 2.8m people potentially at risk of becoming problem gamblers.

population, that's around 600,000 people whose lives are blighted by this destructive addiction. That may not sound like much, but if you extrapolate that figure to the U.K. Read the original article.Ī survey of 1,058 people attending GP clinics in Bristol, England, found that 0.9 percent were problem gamblers. This article was originally published on The Conversation.

Gambling and depression in atlantic city