Gambling
Social gambling occurs most often with friends, family, or colleagues. Casual gambling is characterized by a person having an idea of how much money and time will be spent gambling and a general adherence to these self-imposed guidelines.
A more accurate term for what is often referred to as “gambling addiction” is pathological gambling. As the term suggests, the behavior of gambling has become dysfunctional and problematic in a person’s life. The cost of pathological gambling to that individual and their families is almost incalculable.
A summary of the criteria for diagnosis from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) includes preoccupation with gambling, the need to gamble with increasing amounts of money to experience the original thrill, trying to control or cut back, restlessness when not gambling, being dishonest about to self and others about the gambling, loss of or diminishing relationship(s), job, and money, and relying on others to get out of trouble. The typical pathological gambler is male and may have committed illegal acts to support the behavior.