L3: Gambling Addiction Flashcards
(26 cards)
Define addiction according to Marlatt et al. (1988)
A repetitive habit pattern that increases the risk of disease and/or associated personal and social problems, often experienced as ‘loss of control’.
The behavior continues despite attempts to abstain or moderate use and marked by high relapse rates.
The behaviours are typically characterised byt short-term rewards and long-term costs
What are the six core components of the Biopsychosocial Model of addiction?
Griffiths (2005)
- Salience
- Mood modification
- Tolerance
- Withdrawal
- Conflict
- Relapse
These components characterise all addictions.
What is ‘salience’ in the context of addiction?
The addictive activity becomes the most important thing in a person’s life
It dominates their thinking, feelings, and behavior.
What does mood modification refer to in addiction?
Addiction is used to alter emotional states, such as getting buzzed, relaxing, or escaping
It can involve arousal (thrill) or numbing (calming) effects.
What is tolerance in the context of addiction?
Needing increasing amounts of the substance or behavior to achieve the same effects
This indicates a progression in addictive behavior.
What are withdrawal symptoms associated with addiction?
- Physical symptoms: nausea, stomach cramps, sweating
- Psychological symptoms: irritability, anxiety, frustration, restlessness
If no withdrawal symptoms occur, one might not be considered addicted.
What is the definition of gambling?
The staking of money (or something of financial value) on a future event on which the outcome is unknown
This definition is attributed to Griffiths (1995).
List the four types of gambling identified by Perkins (1950)
- Gaming - Exchange of money during the activity (e.g. fruit machine, roulette)
- Betting - Staking money on a future event (e.g. horse racing)
- Lotteries - Distribution of money by lot (e.g. football pools)
- Speculation - Gambling on the stock market (e.g. investing in shares)
What is the current psychological view of gambling?
Accepted as a behavioral addiction
Previously classified as an impulse disorder.
What is the prevalence of harmful gambling amount UK adults, UK 11-17 and the world?
- UK adult: 0.5%; 3.8% at-risk; 7% harmed by others gambling
- UK aged 11-17: 1.5%; 1.9% at-risk
- World: 1.9%
3.8% are at-risk, and 7% are harmed by others’ gambling.
What is the current gambling trends>
- Moved out of traditional ‘gambling environments’ – technology, increased accessibility, limited regulations
- Gambling and gaming convergence - Kids being introduced to gambling through games
- Increased advertisements and marketing
What is the difference between gambling addiction and harmful gambling?
Harmful gambling leads to recurring negative consequences e.g. financial problems, addiction, physical or mental health issues
Harm can occur without addiction, but not vice versa.
Compare the DSM-3 and DSM-3-R gambling criteria
DSM-3-R expanded and clarified the criteria.
* Introduced more structured symptoms, similar to substance use disorders e.g. tolerance and withdrawal symptoms
* Still under Impulse-Control Disorders, but more recognition of the compulsive and habitual nature of the behaviour.
DSM-3 Criteria for Gambling
DSM-3: Pathological Gambling - classified under impulse-control disorders
* Empahsis on person’s fault (pathological)
* Repeated failure to resist gambling impulses.
* Arrests (illegal activity) included in criteria
What are the DSM-5 criteria for Gambling Disorder?
- Preoccupation with gambling
- Need to gamble with increasing amounts
- Repeated unsuccessful efforts to control gambling
- Restlessness or irritability when cutting down
- Gambling as an escape from problems
- Chasing losses
- Lying to others to conceal extent of gambling
- Jeopardizing relationships or jobs
- Relying on others for financial relief
Major shift: recognised as the first behavioural addiction in the DSM - pathological / imprulse control issue to behavioural disorder
What are some motivations for gambling according to Canale et al. (2015)?
- Recreational factors
- Social factors
- Monetary factors
- Coping factors
- Enhancement factors
These motivations influence gambling behavior.
What influences gambling behaviors according to Griffiths & Calado (2022)?
Individual, situational, and structural characteristics interact to lead to gambling behaviors
Each category encompasses various influencing factors.
What are some individual characteristics that influence gambling?
- Demographic factors
- Biological processes - euphoria, the ‘high’
- Learning and conditioning - reinforcement behaviours
- Unconscious motivation
- Personality traits - neuroticism
- Thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes
- Financial motivation
What are Situational Characteristics that influence gambling?
Environment and factors of the environment
* Macro-characteristics = the wider environment e.g. Location, number of gambling outlets
* Micro-characteristics = features of the internal gambling environment e.g. lighting, sensory factors, comfort
Give some examples of situational micro-characteristics
- Lighting – no windows, artificially modified lighting – don’t want you to know time
- Sensory factors – metal trays for coins, hear the winning, reinforcement
- Floor layout – makes you walk past all machines
- Comfort – comfy seats, free food and drinks
What are structural characteristics in gambling?
Parts of the product designed to influence behaviour - reinforces the behaviour and facilitates excessive gambling
* Event frequency
* Jackpot size
* Credits use - devalues money
* The near miss
Embedded into the products
What is the psychology of the near miss?
Engage in task, the near miss, gives heart rate a spike, adrenaline, dopamine rush, makes you want to continue
What is a public health approach to gambling harm?
Gambling harm is ‘everyone’s business’ and involves policy, legislation, and education programs
* Increasing awareness
* Educating about risks
* Reduce stigma – increase in people getting help and support
This approach aims to increase awareness and reduce stigma.
What are some proposed psychosocial interventions for gambling addiction?
- Mutual sharing groups (e.g., Gamblers Anonymous) - normalises behaviour, shared experience, helps mental health, provides coping strategies from other members
- Social identity mapping - List groups they belong to (Optimal = 6-8, 3 = not enough), expand social map to provide support
