Recreational gambling and risk for psychiatric disorders

[Diver]

In a study presented at a recent meeting of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, researchers followed over 2,000 gamblers divided into three categories: 1) full gambling disorder, 2) subthreshold gambling disorder, and 3) recreational gamblers. In three years, all groups had higher incidences of mood, anxiety or substance abuse disorders compared to a control group of over 31,000 non gamblers. The main point of the study was to alert physicians to be aware of the higher risk of developing various psychiatric disorders on the part of even recreational gamblers since that group hasn't been researched extensively. The study's author offered three screening questions the National Center for Responsible Gambling suggests for detecting the development of a gambling problem:

• During the past 12 months, have you become restless, irritable, or anxious when trying to stop or cut down on gambling?
  
• During the past 12 months, have you tried to keep your family or friends from knowing how much you gambled?
  
• During the past 12 months, did you have such financial trouble as a result of your gambling that you had to get help with living expenses from family, friends, or welfare?

I don't think any of this comes as a surprise to many posters here with years of experience and I think it's noteworthy that many of them explicitly caution the occasional new recreational player who seems to be unaware of some of these signs and risk for other problems.

[Ouchez]

Of course gambling is exceedingly dangerous,,who would doubt that?

Gov, doesn't care, they get tax money from it,,just like smoking, big tax money from that.

You must be a strong, disciplined Predator, a Wolf, a Panther, to succeed at this game and avoid addiction.

Ouchez

Ouchez

[RWM]

Obviously there must be a lot left out here. All 3 questions relate to gambling. Since the control group does not gamble of course they don't have anxiety around gambling.

[Bodarc]

It doesn't affect me that way. Actually it gets very boring sitting and counting cards. If I could not learn something new, make a little money doing it and have the fun of just getting ahead of a casino (because I think they are low life pond scum), it would hold no interest at all to me. I can't tolerate even 10 minutes of sitting in front of a slot machine, punching a button and watching the wheels roll around. What could be more useless than that?

[Ouchez]

It doesn't affect me that way. Actually it gets very boring sitting and counting cards. If I could not learn something new, make a little money doing it and have the fun of just getting ahead of a casino (because I think they are low life pond scum), it would hold no interest at all to me. I can't tolerate even 10 minutes of sitting in front of a slot machine, punching a button and watching the wheels roll around. What could be more useless than that?

For those with High Stress job's, it can be a great escape, a release, a vacation,,and then it can grow from that to something sinister. Never underestimate the pull of the casino.

Ouchez

[Kat]

(Diver post) ... In a study presented at a recent meeting of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry... (BET ON ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING):

• During the past 12 months, have you become restless, irritable, or anxious when trying to stop or cut down on gambling? (3:1)
• During the past 12 months, have you tried to keep your family or friends from knowing how much you gambled? (6:5 EQUAL FAVORITE)
• During the past 12 months, did you have such financial trouble as a result of your gambling that you had to get help with living expenses from family, friends, or welfare? (5:2)
• Suicide thoughts? (6:5 EQUAL FAVORITE)
• Blow up casino thoughts? (8:1)
• Join GA? (25:1)
• Go to church & pray? (30:1)
• Ask your local federal politician for help? (250:1)
• Ask for help from Schlesinger, Snyder or Norm? (1000:1)
• *MARKET NOW OPEN, *Bets limited to $100,000 max.

[mhb]

this post may come as a surprise. I will disclose some things about myself. but if I can't be honest then what is the point?
I am an elderly man who has been diagnosed schizo paranoid some 50 years ago. my life therefore has been one of disappointment to say the least.
the two things I have been able to do is play the stock market with some success and play blackjack with the excuse me uston adv +/-.
I did get a good education some 6 degrees and certificates.
I also have some illnesses such as diabetes etc.

now my physicians and social workers are "encouraging" me to play blackjack and go to casino. they want me to do what I do best. I am not that great of blackjack player as I use uston adv +/- and I tell them that but they continue to encourage me. they think out outside the box for sure.

if I lose my br so be it.

I say this because they see bj as good for my physical and mental health. it is like a sport and requires me to be in training and take care of myself their thinking goes. I have much to improve on this but I am trying.

please advise, comment etc.

[mhb]

more points,
when I was in the peace corps I was evaluated by psychologist who concluded that I am not a problem gambler.
GA also concluded that I am not a problem gambler and that i should not attend their meetings as i would encourage them with my story.

[Ouchez]

MHB,

Most interesting,,,I do think AP play is very good for the mind, if you can handle emotional stress that goes along with the swings.

Best,
Ouchez

[DBJT]

If you play just very low stakes simply for the brain exercise, perhaps the swings need not generate much emotional stress, really.

Would any of us really *care* that much, when pushing out a "max-bet" on a dollar game?

I suppose it depends on what the low-bankroll money really means to you, if you can afford to lose it?

Of course your +EV playing the cheapest stakes will be far less than minimum wage, LOL. Not gonna get rich doing it.

But I suppose it's really cheap therapy, as far as the usual "medical costs" for things are going these days...

-DBJT

P.S.

I can't tolerate even 10 minutes of sitting in front of a slot machine, punching a button and watching the wheels roll around...

I always used to compare playing slots to going to the laundromat and doing your laundry. Put a coin in the dryer, push the button, watch it spin around, repeat...

-DBJT

[mhb]

MHB,

Most interesting,,,I do think AP play is very good for the mind, if you can handle emotional stress that goes along with the swings.

Best,
Ouchez

yes, my social worker therapist wants me to keep mind and body in good shape. he recommends fish oil for the brain and good eating habits.

ap blackjack could be considered a sport and we should keep mind and body in good shape. exercise etc.

yes, low stakes betting is little to no stress but I can't find those games nearby.

I admit I am at some stress at high bets. my therapist tells me I like to live on edge and at risk. I think he is right. the high risk gives me some excitement and "sizzle" and the game adds a sizzle to my life. all in all the game is good for my mental and physical health I think.

and I must say posting here to forum is good for me. I am very happy with the replies and attention given in this forum.

thank you, all. this is good stuff.
mhb

[Kat]

yes, my social worker therapist wants me to keep mind and body in good shape. he recommends fish oil for the brain and good eating habits.

ap blackjack could be considered a sport and we should keep mind and body in good shape. exercise etc.

yes, low stakes betting is little to no stress but I can't find those games nearby.

I admit I am at some stress at high bets. my therapist tells me I like to live on edge and at risk. I think he is right. the high risk gives me some excitement and "sizzle" and the game adds a sizzle to my life. all in all the game is good for my mental and physical health I think.

and I must say posting here to forum is good for me. I am very happy with the replies and attention given in this forum.

thank you, all. this is good stuff.
mhb

All good. Except for breathing second hand smoke for hours, while sitting on your ass waving a finger.

[redbuck]

mhb, play on if it gives you pleasure. Good luck...