PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING

We have all at one point in our lives come in contact with that individual who is fond of gambling or playing “mataese” and can’t live without doing it. Such fellows may suffer from pathological gambling - a disorder many take lightly. Pathological gambling is a habit and impulse control disorder in which an individual has frequent and repeated episodes of gambling which have a significant bearing on their social, occupational, material and family commitments. It has mostly affected 1% of world population, though the numbers may be higher. Individuals with pathological gambling do not easily admit to having problems. They have an accelerated denialism and no awareness on the problem, making it difficult to address it.

The following are some of the characteristics of the disorder; Inability to resist the urge and impulse to gamble Preoccupation with ideas and images of gambling act Having an avalanche of debts secondary to outsourcing of money to support habit. Family breakdowns largely due to the fact that property and money are lost to the habit. Psychotherapy which may be either individual or group counselling can be beneficial in addressing this disorder. Pathological gambling is a chronic disorder with potential of a relapse: meaning that the habit may resurface despite one having stopped for quite a number of years. A stumbling block to successful treatment is stigma and judgemental attitude towards people with problem gambling.

These make them vulnerable to having other addiction problems like substance use disorders. Other consequences related to gambling may include suicide and depression. We need to embrace and help them as even the Botswana Gambling Act of 2012 calls for guidelines and strategies to “prevent addictive or compulsive gambling; and rehabilitate those who engage in addictive or compulsive gambling.”