The diagnosis of pathological gambling suggests a psychiatric disorder, often caused by genetics. often caused by a genetic predisposition. This mental disorder qualifies as depression. The main cause of depression is not losing, but the lack of money in the wallet to continue gambling.
In our country, unfortunately, almost no one deals seriously with this problem. Western statistics are vast and depressing: of 13 million Italians who regularly spend money on gambling, 150,000 are considered "pathological gamblers". On average each Italian family spends about $700 a year for this purpose. Americans spent over $500 billion on gambling last year. More than five million Americans can be classified as pathological or "problem" gamblers. Another 15 million are a "risk group". This is data from the National Gambling Impact Study Commission. There are organisations in the USA that help gambling victims, such as Alcoholics Anonymous clubs. On the average each person who has addressed there has a debt on the order of 120 thousand dollars. About 80 % seriously consider suicide, about 20 % really undertook attempts to finish with the life. The rates are higher than for severe depression. This begs the question: how to treat? After all, if there is a disease, there must be a cure. The Americans assure that this drug may be a new antidepressant, Fevarin. New York psychiatrist Eric Hollander in his clinic conducted a two-month course to treat ten "pathological gamblers," seven of whom, after a course "Fevarin" got rid of their disease. However, there are other methods. In Sweden, for example, for several years running a special clinic, which is located in the woods, where a year ride, not get to the nearest casino. But as with any addiction, with gambling addiction it is not the medication that matters, but the desire to take it. If a person realises that he has been caught and needs treatment urgently, that is half the battle