The term ‘pathological’ is considered to be pejorative by some who prefer the term ‘problem’ to describe addictive gambling behaviours as points along a continuum (Thomas, 2011). ‘Problem gambling’ is also sometimes used to describe an intermediate or subclinical form of the disorder ‘pathological gambling’. The phrases ‘pathological gambling’ and ‘problem gambling’ are often used interchangeably, with the term ‘pathological’ more frequently used in the United States and ‘problem’ more common in Australia and New Zealand. The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) included gambling disorder as a new category on behavioural addictions, reflecting research findings to suggest that gambling disorder is similar to substance-related disorders in clinical expression, brain origin, comorbidity, physiology and treatment (APA, 2013). Pathological gambling was first included as a disorder in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) in 1977 and is included in the ICD-10 under impulse disorders (WHO, 1990). In New Zealand, the Gambling Act 2003 defines gambling-related harm as ‘harm or distress of any kind arising from, or caused or exacerbated by, a person’s gambling and includes personal, social, or economic harm suffered – by the person or by the person’s spouse, civil union partner, de facto partner, family/whānau, or wider community or in the workplace or by society at large’ (Ministry of Health, 2010). The Australian Ministerial Council on Gambling defines problem gambling as ‘difficulties in limiting money and/or time spent on gambling which leads to adverse consequences for the gambler, others, or for the community’ (SA Centre for Economic Studies, 2005). Increased funding of evidence-based services for the screening, assessment, treatment and early intervention of people experiencing problem gambling is also required.Increased investment in research into evidence-based screening, assessment, treatment and early intervention in the field of problem gambling is required and particularly, evidence-based models for regulation of interactive and online gambling.Electronic gaming machines (EGMs) are associated with higher risks than other forms of gambling and the RANZCP supports changes that would restrict the number of EGMs, reduce the maximum bet and limit the jackpots on EGMs.The stigmatisation of problem gambling continues to act as a barrier to individuals accessing the support they need.Approximately 90% of people diagnosed with problem gambling have at least one other mental health diagnosis.The rise of interactive and online gambling is having devastating consequences new gamblers are more easily recruited online and gambling sites are accessible 24 hours per day.The RANZCP advocates that at the basis of any response to problem gambling must be a respect for the person, their behavioural disorder and its treatments. Furthermore, the stigmatisation of problem gambling continues to act as a barrier to individuals accessing the support they need. Any questions regarding this document can be directed to Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) is concerned that problem gambling is having a significant and deleterious impact on vulnerable individuals, their family/whānau, support networks and beyond. The contents of 'Problem gambling' were developed using an evidence-informed process and still may be relevant. The RANZCP notes that the following document 'Problem gambling' is due for review.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |